All Mommies will concur that packing for vacations for the entire family is no laughing matter, much less packing for winter holiday. How are we supposed to pack light for cold weather travel when we need so many items to keep us toasty? We’re leaving for Hokkaido this week for our first snow trip and after several weeks of planning, I’ve finally completed my packing list.
The Key to Packing Light
The key to packing light for Winter holiday is layering. Always start with a base layer of thermal wear (e.g. UNIQLO HEATTECH), followed by a long-sleeved fleece top. The goal here is to dress in something that keeps our bodies snug and warm. This will be what people see us when we’re indoors (e.g. having meals or browsing in shops). For outdoors, layer it with a cute cardigan, sweater, fleece jacket or a parka. If the temperature is more extreme, add an additional layer in the form of an insulated outerwear jacket, preferably with a hoodie which offers wind and rain protection.
For bottoms, start with a base layer of HEATTECH leggings/tights, followed by the fleece/warm-lined pants or jeans. Pair it with a good pair of insulated socks and waterproof boots and we are almost ready to go. Boots will keep the tiny feet warm, offers better grip in snow. I ordered Kamik boots for both my kids from Amazon (so much cheaper than to buy them locally!) had them shipped to Singapore via MyUS, is #1 in the industry, with over 11 million packages shipped since 1997. It took them less than a week (from ordering online to physically receiving the delivery at my doorstep). You can sign up for a FREE MyUS Premium Member to try out their service!
What Goes Into The Kids’ Luggage
Here is a snapshot of what we’ll be bringing to keep the kids warm and comfortable in the frigid elements.
For Dana, I’ve packed:
- Inner Wear: Kids HEATTECH Extra Warm Crew Neck T-shirts (S$19.90)
- Inner Wear: Kids HEATTECH Extra Warm Crew Neck T-shirts (S$19.90)
- First Layer: Girls’ Micro-Fleece Printed High-Neck T-Shirt (S$14.90)
- First Layer: Girls’ Micro-Fleece Printed High-Neck T-Shirt (S$14.90)
- Bottoms: Kids HEATTECH Extra Warm Leggings (S$19.90)
- Bottoms: Kids Warm Lined Stretch Jogger Pants (S$29.90)
- Outer Layer: GAP Down Belted Parka (S$128.00)
- GAP Pro-Fleece Sherpa Hat (S$24.95)
- GAP Pro-Fleece Tech Gloves (S$16.95)
- Outer Layer: Girls BlockTech Fleece Coat (S$59.90)
- PJs: Girls Disney Project Micro Fleece Long Sleeve Lounge Set (S$19.90)
- Bottoms: GIRLS Skinny Fit Jeans (S$19.90)
- Ski Wear: Marmot Ski Jacket and Pants (bought from Campers’ Corner SG)
- Shoes: Kamik Snowday Winter Boot (USD39)
For Buddy, I’ve packed:
- Inner Wear: Babies Toddler HEATTECH U-Neck Long Sleeve T Shirt (S$12.90)
- First Layer: Babies Toddler Fleece High-Neck Long Sleeve T-Shirt (S$12.90)
- First Layer: Babies Toddler Fleece High-Neck Long Sleeve T-Shirt (S$12.90)
- First Layer: Babies Toddler Fleece High-Neck Long Sleeve T-Shirt (S$12.90)
- Bottoms: Babies Toddlers Warm-lined Pants (S$29.90)
- Bottoms: Babies Toddler HEATTECH Leggings (S$12.90)
- Bottoms: Babies Toddlers Warm-lined Pants (S$29.90)
- Outer Layer: KIDS STAR WARS Light Warm Padded Parka (S$49.90)
- Outer Layer: GAP Cold Control Max Puffer Jacket (S$88.00)
- Kids HEATTECH Knitted Gloves (S$14.90)
- PJs: Babies Toddlers Long Sleeve Pajamas (S$19.90)
- Kids HEATTECH Knitted Cap (S$14.90)
- Socks: Boys HEATTECH Socks (2 Pairs, S$12.90)
- Shoes: Kamik Footwear Snowbug3 Insulated Boot (USD38)
For space concerns, I’ve vacuumed-packed the bulkier outerwear in compression bags which I bought from Daiso. This helps to minimize space by removing air from our luggage. To ease the frenzied morning routines (and to prevent the luggage from being ransacked unnecessarily), I’ve pre-packed each day’s clothing according to the itinerary in these nifty Ikea zip-lock bags. This way, Daddy and Dana know exactly which zip-lock bag to zoom in each morning without having to rely on me when I am getting the toddler ready.
Added to the luggage are the usual medicine kit, toiletries, Buddy’s diapers, milk power, sunscreen, aloe vera gel and moisturizer (as the sun’s reflection off the snow is strong even on cloudy days – up to 80 percent of the sun’s rays can penetrate clouds). I also sneaked in a surprise for the kids: a Snowball Maker which I shipped in together with the boots using MyUS. The kid’s luggage is finally about done, now onto the adult’s! Excuse me while I go get busy. If you’re also travelling this month, I wish you a safe and happy holiday!
So neat! I usually just throw everything in one vacuum bag and sort it out when we get there haha!
I swear by Heat-tech inner wear and vacuum packs. They are real life-savers when packing light for winter!
Packing your daily outfits in Ziplock bags is such an organised method that I should adopt. Stay warm on your Hokkaido trip and have fun there. Can’t wait to read about your trip on the blog soon.
I love Uniqlo’s HEATTECH collection too..keep one snug & warm without breaking the bank 😉
Useful list for future travelling reference! Not planning any more trips oversea with the kids anytime soon because they are just not ready to sit through the long hours of flight.
What a great and detailed post! The vacuum bag is such a great idea! So much space can be saved, why didn’t I think of that before? Thanks for sharing!
The neatness is amazing! We haven’t been to a winter holiday yet, but these tips will definitely come in handy when we do. Thanks for sharing!
Oh wow that’s so neat with all the vacuum packed ziplocks! Reminds me of traveling when my kids were little gosh the diapers and milk powder DO take up lots of suitcase space.
We’re headed to Korea end month and the amounts of clothes are already piling up mountain high!
Wowwww!!! U r so incredibly neat and so well prepared!! Thanks for the tip on the snow boots! I’m going to check those out. 🙂
The vacuum bag packing idea is so neat (pun intended)! Such good organisation, Angie! Well done!
Good pointers! Packing is the biggest task for me whenever we plan holidays.
Thank you for the info on where to get snow boots! May I know how to make sure you measure the right size boots for your kids?