Winter Bag Checklist
- Pack your bag based on the activities you'll be doing while you're away. If you're going to spend most of your time sitting around a warm fire or hanging out with friends in a vacation cabin, pack essential cold-weather items such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, thermal socks and long underwear. Keep your destination in mind; layer up if you're going up north where temperatures can fall below freezing and stay there for days on end. If you're going down south to Miami, you won't need to pack down coats, snow boots and your entire scarf collection. Whether you're going to Miami or Montreal, though, bring plenty of lotion to keep your body moist as well as any other essentials you may not have easy access to, like a travel heating blanket if you're prone to get cold. Plan to layer your clothes so that you can strip down or bulk up as the weather fluctuates.
- Pack a few things to keep you occupied in the event that the temperature cancels your plans. If you're snowed in at the airport, having a book handy will serve as a decent distraction. If you're staying in a cabin with friends and your adventures are delayed until streets are cleared, travel board games and cards will help keep everyone from getting cranky. Pack a few DVDs and some music for variety.
- Bring along lip balm, moisturizer and your blow dryer. The cooler, dry temperatures will cause your skin to beg for moisture of some sort. Equally, you won't want to hop out of the shower and into cooler weather with wet hair. It's best not to assume that there will be a hair dryer available; either pack yours or call ahead and be sure one will be available to you.
- Pack for warmth over fashion in a frigid climate. Bring oversize coats, long socks, boots, scarves, gloves and ear warmers. Don't wait until you need to purchase them on the spot; they may not be readily available. Pack medications if necessary, and throw in a few packets of cold medicine for fighting off symptoms in case the weather causes you to get ill.
