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The first thing to consider when packing is the local weather of your destination. Obviously what you pack for Alaska in the dead of winter will be considerably different than your packing needs for Fiji mid-tourist season. If you aren't certain of the weather, find tourist information on the net about your country. Usually, it's pretty easy to find info on year-round weather.
Now, you'll need something to pack everything in. If you want to use a suitcase, a hard case will protect your fragile valuables, but a soft sided one will hold a bit more since the sides can be pushed out. Or, for those of you who enjoy a real challenge, the backpack is a wonderful way to learn light packing!
For women, makeup should be the first thing to go when travelling. The last thing you need is a ton of cosmetics weighing you down as you race for the airplane. Pare it down to a basic lipstick, eyeshadow, a foundation and a blush if you really need it. For hot countries, be sure the foundation is oil-free.
Buy a shampoo/conditioner in one to save room in the suitcase.
Fold shirts in half lengthwise, tuck the sleeves in and roll from the bottom up. This will conserve space and keep your clothing from becoming too wrinkled on your journey.
Lay out everything you want to take and reduce by half.
You should have one dressy outfit, two shirts, two pants/shorts, one or two heavier shirts, two pairs underwear, and four pairs of socks. Underwear can be washed in the sink nightly, reducing the contents of your luggage by quite a bit.
Instead of packing bulky towels, consider investing in a Pak Towel. They aren't that big and absorb a lot of water. They are also useful for drying underwear.
If the weather will be hot, take only one pair of pants, since you will probably wear mostly shorts anyway.
Don't pack anything you don't enjoy wearing. Chances are you won't wear it and it will only take up useful space.
Put shampoo and other liquids in a resealable bag to prevent spills.
Invest in a cap for your toothbrush. It keeps dirt from getting on the bristles and still lets air circulate.
Get a sealable box for your soap so you don't get white smudges on clothing.
Leave reading material at home, except for one good book. Books and magazines are heavy and take up a lot of space.
If you have children, consider having them share a suitcase. Divide it into halves or thirds, depending on the size and the number of children. You can mark the boundaries with tape if you like and have the children pack their things on their individual sides.
Attach a bright tag to your suitcase handle so it will be easy to distinguish from all the other black bags on the airport conveyer belt.
Leave a bit of room for aquired possesions along the way. A tote bag that folds into a tiny pocket is a good idea. It takes up little space and is very useful when you need a little extra storage area.
Keep a couple granola bars in your suitcase or backpack in case of hunger attacks.
It's always a good idea to have a copy of your passport in the suitcase so if you lose yours, there will be another handy.
Store a small amount of mad money in a suitcase pocket in case you are mugged on the street.
And last but not least, have a great time on your vacation, business trip or whatever you are packing for!
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