Packing into Suitcases

I've noticed a lot of people who are joining their fiance/spouse only pack what fits into 3-4 suitcases and just takes everything on the plane with them, and I was wondering how do you determine what to bring and what to dump? 

Did you bring any books or other household items? What about crafting items, knick-knacks, and childhood items?

Did you bring any books or other household items? What about crafting items, knick-knacks, and childhood items?

All of the above.  As far as determining what to take and what to scrap, I'm quite lucky to have plenty of space in Mom's garage.  Someday I'll deal with all that stuff! 

LOL  I'm sure I'll probably have a similar situation in my mom's shed when it's my time to move!

How did you move the breakable stuff in suitcases? 

I totally did/am doing this! The first run I left my big hiking backpack in the UK with posters, a couple books, some Christmas ornaments, some knicknacks, photos, mementos, my cowboy boots, a jacket and some extra underwear. (Random!)

This time in my three bags I'll be taking mostly clothes (and undies and PJs and shoes), makeup, just a couple books, some more posters I forgot, 3 wall hangings, my framed degrees, this candle holder thing my mom gave me, my computer, some taco seasoning, some more photos, some curtains (yes, I know this is silly), my jewelry and DBF's birthday present.

A few things I did that saved space...

• I put all of my recipes on Google Documents
• I put all my music on my computer
• I condensed all my photo albums into photo boxes (would have put them on the computer, too, but don't have a scanner.)

• I condensed all my photo albums into photo boxes (would have put them on the computer, too, but don't have a scanner.)

I'd totally do this, since I have all my photos digital, but I LOVE to scrapbook, and I have FIVE 12x12 scrapbooks. Fortunately, I also have a big scrapbook caddy they'll fit in....but it's HUGE.  and heavy. Especially if I put all my supplies in it, too!

I didn't leave a bag at Tim's, but I left about half my wardrobe, my winter coat, several pairs of shoes, and the books and craft supplies I accumulated while I was visiting.  I'm considering buying a cheap suitcase and having Tim check it when he goes home from visiting me this Summer with some more stuff.

LOL thats exactly what I'm doing Devin - putting all my "stuff" in boxes in Dad's basement saying I will deal with it one day in the maybe-near future.

I am in the process right now of selling things and I am using the "have you used/worn/needed it in the last year rule to determine what stays and goes.

Becca - I am taking clothes/shoes/bathroom things and then whatever stuff I can put in between the clothing.  I have some knick-knack things that are sentimental to me (but also small), so I will wrap them in clothing or something to keep them safe.  I dont plan on bringing a lot of books simply b/c of weight, but you are a bigger reader than me, I think, so that may be a harder thing for you. But I do have some that I've had since I was a kid and just like to have them on a bookshelf, so I'll bring those.  I also have some drinking glasses and things and I am going to bring just because they were my parents and now I use them and love them, but again, I'll wrap them in clothes.
So, mostly, I am thinking more of sentiment than practicality or need to use the things once in England.   Just think that things can be sent over to you later if you decide that you need something or if the thing is inexpensive, I am replacing it just b/c its a good reason to do so

Also, I am thinking of taking some things there when I go in two weeks, but am nervous about being pulled aside and having my luggage gone thru and it looking like I'm there to stay!  I would absolutely have Tim take some things home for you - that would be a good start.

With so many of us UKYers shuffling back and forth, we should start our own overseas shipping company. (And I'm kind of not joking about this!)

On the way back from our wedding in the US, my in-laws took 4 bags of my stuff back for me between them as their 2nd checked bags. This included wedding gifts we got in the US which were generally non-breakable items like sheets, towels, etc.

My husband also took a bag for me, and had also taken some bulky stuff on a previous trip such as bathrobe/sweaters.

And then there were the 2 suitcases I brought over when I went over a few weeks later.

I did ship over 2 boxes of books through M-bags (a super cheap surface shipping method for printed material), but sadly this no longer exists. It is a real shame. Those two (very heavy!) boxes cost less than $50. I don't have a huge amount of books, as I generally get novels from the library, but I do have a lot of large art/history books and way too many cookbooks, and I am very glad to have them with me.

The rest has come over in dribs and drabs. My Dad brought over our pots/pans (another wedding gift) when he came over for our UK reception right after I moved. We recently brought back a clock that my grandmother gave me when we were over for a visit.

I have a few boxes of childhood stuff at my Mom's, but that's basically it.

How did you move the breakable stuff in suitcases? 

I didn't bring too many breakables, but I made sure the few fragile items were very well padded, wrapped in layer after layer of clothes.  The super important stuff came with me in my carry-on (my tea set, for example).

When I first moved it was just a couple of suitcases. I have the benefit of being able to go back every 4 to 6 months and each time I went back I brought more of my belongings over.

When I went home last year, after my uncle died, I had 2 full sets of very heavy flatware and a 22lb, 2 foot long, brass antelope in my suitcase. 

 I dont plan on bringing a lot of books simply b/c of weight, but you are a bigger reader than me, I think, so that may be a harder thing for you.

Oh god, I have TONS of books. Tim and I decided I should catalogue my books into excell and he'd go through and mark the books he already has, and then I can decide which books are must-have/rare finds and which are replaceable from a used store....and then this way we'd also have a list of books to look for.  But, even my "must haves" are going tobe a ridiculous amount. I have a feeling I'll be transporting books back and forth for several YEARS at this rate.

Also, I am thinking of taking some things there when I go in two weeks, but am nervous about being pulled aside and having my luggage gone thru and it looking like I'm there to stay!  I would absolutely have Tim take some things home for you - that would be a good start.

What about just bringing clothing along? How long is your visit for?


I also just thought of something for me, personally - If I'm going to go home at Thanksgiving, I can bring along a suitcase with the Christmas presents for my family, then use the empty suitcase to bring home more of my stuff!   Also I'm sure when my mom visits, she'd be willing to pack a second suitcase...it would jsut be a matter of trying to figure out what the important bits to move are.

When I went home last year, after my uncle died, I had 2 full sets of very heavy flatware and a 22lb, 2 foot long, brass antelope in my suitcase. 

A brass antelope? 

I am in the process of selling/packing/moving things to leave for the UK in June. I am planning on taking two big suitcases on the plane (this will have clothes, purses, shoes, etc.) I have packed a good portion of my things in boxes. I mailed off 40 pounds of clothes (a shopping addiction is very bad when you are trying to move) and it cost me $180 with the United States Postal Service.  They are about 50-80 dollars cheaper than Fed-EX or UPS. I will mail off another 5 boxes tomorrow and it should cost me about $350, which isn't that bad considering I will have a lot of my belongings, clothes, and teaching supplies. Books are hard to do as they are very heavy...however, if you simply pack a box with just books the united states postal service will give you a discounted rate as this is considered "media."

however, if you simply pack a box with just books the united states postal service will give you a discounted rate as this is considered "media."

AFAIK, Media Mail rate does not apply to International shipments.

I shipped 2 boxes of books & records, packed whatever clothes would fit into one suitcase, and dumped the rest/ sold at yard sale before i left.

AFAIK, Media Mail rate does not apply to International shipments.

According to this page, it's not an international option: http://www.usps.com/international/sendpackages.htm

However, the Media Mail page doesn't specifically state domestic only, so I'd really be interested in finding out if anyone was able to send Media Mail internationally, considering you can ship 70lbs of books, cds, and DVDs for under $30!