Contributed by Cindi Pearce, Catalogs.com Top 10 Guru

Before you even think about packing for your vacation, make a list. Keep adding to the list as you think of items that you need to take with you. Make the list a week or so before you have to start packing.

This gives you time to edit the list, remove items, add things that you hadn’t thought of the first time around and get input from your partner and your children regarding what they think needs to be packed.

Of course, what you pack depends on where you are going; the temperature; the culture; how long you plan to stay and what you plan to do while you are there. Are formal clothes required? Casual?

10. Write it down

Grab a notepad, a pencil and sit down and start listing what you need to take. You can revise this over the next week or so. The list comes before packing. You will feel great satisfaction, not to mention feel terribly organized, when you check off the items on your list. This is also your evidence that you DID pack your husband’s toothbrush. If he questions you, tell him to pack it himself in the future. That will take care of that.

9. Beach stuff

Remember to pack … your surf board, lounge chairs, towels, suntan lotion, aloe vera lotion (for burns), beach bags, sandals and hats, sunglasses and every bit of beach gear you can think of if you are heading for the shore.

8. That time of month

If you are female, remember to pack those things that you might need. You never know when the “curse” is going to rear its ugly head.

7. Shoes

Remember the shoes! Shoes are very important.

6. AAA

Remember to pack or carry your Triple A card, if you have one, and you should have one. They come in really handy if you get stuck on the side of the road, and you can get hotel discounts. If you are an oldster, take your AARP card. This will save you money, too.

5. Check these off

Is there gas in the car? Check. Is there air in the tires? Check. Is the GPS installed? Check. Do you have a spare tire? Check. Did you pack money, travelers’ checks and credit cards? What about the airline tickets and hotel reservations verification?

4. Gadgets

Phones, cameras, Ipods and laptops. Make sure everyone has their gadgets. If they really aren’t necessary then don’t pack them.

3. Home safety

On your list you should include all of the things that you need to do before leaving: Cancel your newspaper delivery and put a hold on your mail. Put interior and exterior lights on timers. Make plans for your pet. Take out the trash. Give your house key to a trusted neighbor or family member. Make sure the doors and windows are locked. Did you call the police and ask them to patrol in your neighborhood while you are gone?

2. Medications

If you or a family member is required to take medication it is vitally important that you remember to pack them, of course. Put the medicines in a zip lock bag and put the bag into a zipper compartment inside your luggage for safe keeping. Of course, you can’t do this until the last minute. That is why you MUST have a list to remind you. If you are taking an airplane, and you have sinus problems, take sinus medication with you and pop a pill before getting on board. If someone in your family gets car sick, take car-sick medicine with you and some trash bags for … well, you know. The urp. Just in case.

1. Clothing

Don’t get so carried away with all the other hooplas that you forget your clothes. It’s happened. Yeah, you’ve made sure that everyone else has everything they need, but you don’t want to show up in Las Vegas or Honolulu or Greece without anything to wear. Be practical and pack comfortable clothing that is going to travel well. Also, remember to pack some note paper because you may need to make a list sometime while on vacation. You don’t want to forget to bring everything home that you took with you.