Carry-On Essentials
Hey guys! I hope you had a fabulous week. I am off to Colorado to go skiing! I want to put a disclaimer that we are being as careful and cautious as possible, of course wearing masks the whole time, sanitizing, wiping down EVERYTHING, etc.
I have missed traveling the most out of anything, but I wanted to be sure that my trip was as safe as possible. I am going to be outside most of the time, staying in a condo instead of a hotel, and being as conscious as I can be.
I don’t know about you guys, but I need my carry-on to be extremely organized because there are always so many items I need to remember to bring. On top of everything I normally bring, I now also have to keep track of masks, sanitizing wipes, and more. So, I figured it would be helpful to include some of my essential carry-on items.
This is a list of items that I would bring when traveling in the country, on shorter flights.
Reusable water bottle: For some reason, whenever I am in the airport, I get super thirsty. There aren’t always places to buy water and even when there are, they can be expensive. The most important reason why this is an essential is to help save the planet. As we all know, plastic water bottles are horrible for the environment, but sometimes we can’t help but purchase one when we are in a pinch. If you bring a reusable water bottle, then you can fill it up whenever you need to. Keep in mind that the water bottle must be empty when you first bring it through security, but then you can fill it up at a water bottle station as soon as you get passed.
Electronics: When I travel, I first need to think through the specific electronics I am going to bring. I would also recommend putting your phone in a specific pocket, so you know where it is at all times. I sometimes find myself putting my phone in multiple random places throughout the day so then I never know where it is. This leads me to having a panic attack every five seconds because I think I left my phone somewhere. So, if you put it in one place then you can be sure you always have it. The next step is thinking through whether or not you need a laptop or other device. I hate when I get to my destination and realize that I really would have liked to have my computer. Or even vice versa, when I brought my computer and it’s taking up space and I didn’t even need it.
Headphones or AirPods: Having a good set of headphones for the plane and your trip is so important. You want to be able to watch TV or listen to music so make sure you have a good set that isn’t about to break and make sure they work lol. I have definitely gotten on the plane with headphones thinking I am so prepared and then come to the realization that sound only comes out of one side.
Mask: If you are traveling during the pandemic you are going to need a mask. You also are going to want to bring a few spares to be able to switch them out. I know I have lost a mask or two in this time, and I would hate to be stuck in the midst of your travels without one.
Books/homework/games: Planes can get very boring especially if you have a short attention span like me. So, bringing a few options for other things to do is a great idea. A good book never hurts, and I also love bringing card games and travel sized games. If you are traveling during school, planning out and bringing the homework you need is going to be extremely important. Try to consolidate as much of your work as possible into a folder or binder so you aren’t bringing five binders that you don’t need.
Hand sanitizer: During Corona or not, the airport is packed with germs, so hand sanitizer has always been an essential for me. I am the official hand sanitizer distributer of the family and I think everyone should be cognizant of where their hands have been and use hand sanitizer when needed.
Disinfecting wipes: Similarly, to the hand sanitizer, I have always brought wipes because they have come in handy so many times. There isn’t always a place to go wash your hands off after eating a greasy meal so disinfecting wipes will become your best friend. I also always wiped down my airplane seat because you never know how well they were wiped down before, and it can never hurt to do a once over.
Toiletries or any other liquids in a Ziplock bag: Sometimes I keep my toiletries in my carry on and sometimes I keep them in my suitcase, but I always have at least a few liquids in my carry on that need to be ready for security. I’m not sure if I’m the only one who feels this way, but security can be a bit stressful at times especially because I don’t want to hold up the line. If you put all your liquids in a Ziplock bag in the front of your carry on, then you will be ready for security.
Snacks: Ok guys, I think we all know that snacks are the most important essential. No one likes being hangry while traveling so including a bag with some granola bars, popcorn, or other foods is key. One of my favorite airplane snacks are the Bear Naked Granola Bites. They are perfect bite sized pieces of granola that are great for sharing or keeping to yourself. I think that a perfect snack bag includes a nice ratio of protein packed foods, snacky foods (popcorn, goldfish, etc.), and your favorite sweet treats to make for the best travel experience.
Chargers: Nowadays, there are so many items that need to be charged so we end up bring a million different chargers, but somehow, I always feel like someone doesn’t have a charger for something. With five people in the family and a bunch of electronics, forgetting a charger is common. If you organize what electronics you are bringing and think about the chargers, you will need for them; you won’t forget anything.
Gum: Gum is an absolute essential for me. I always have two flavors, one that is mint and one that is more fun. When wearing a mask, you want to make sure your breath doesn’t smell bad because you are going to be stuck in that mask for the whole day.
Ellavate tip: Many of the items in your carry on may need to be added at last minute such as electronics, chargers, and toiletries. So, to make sure you don’t forget them, set a reminder on the reminder app in your phone and set it for a time before you leave. If you don’t want to leave an electronic reminder, write yourself a note and tape it to the front door so you won’t forget.