Whether you’re going on a trip or simply staying the night at someone else’s house, you’ll want to be prepared with all the essentials. Don’t miss out on all the important necessities – read on to figure out what you need to pack in your overnight bag before you leave the house.
Perhaps one of the more obvious essentials to an overnight bag is toiletries! I’d recommend buying a travel-sized version of essential items such as deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. That way, you can have a collection of overnight toiletries on hand for when you’re spontaneously leaving your house for the night. Be sure to include plenty of emergency tampons and pads as well, because you never know when Mother Nature is going to hit!
Of course, when it comes to your overnight bag, you’re going to need your phone and charger. In terms of phone chargers, it would never hurt to have a separate phone charger for those overnight trips you’ll be taking to your significant other’s place. That way, you can keep a charger at home in case you forget your overnight charger at someone else’s house. Consider getting a portable charger as well, just in case you end up taking a longer trip that requires a hefty car or plane ride. Trust me – you’ll be thanking yourself later for this.
When it comes to clothing, you’re going to want options! You never know what the evening or the next day will bring in terms of weather and adventures. A good rule of thumb is to pack a pair of cozy clothes, such as sweatpants or pajamas, two pairs of underwear and socks, two bras, two pairs of shoes, and two outfit options for the next day. Of course, you’ll need to tweak the numbers if you plan on staying somewhere for multiple days, but in the event of staying somewhere for one night, you should definitely double-up on everything!
Snacks are essential in any situation, but if you’ve got a particularly picky palette, you’ll definitely want to pack your favorites in your overnight bag. You never know what the evening is going to bring in terms of food options, and if you’re going someplace where you wouldn’t feel comfortable raiding the kitchen, you’re going to want to have some extra food with you! Pack all your favorite snacks, from candy to chips, to really make sure that your stomach will be satisfied when you leave your sacred space for the night.
Another overnight necessity for those who don’t like having their hair in their face is hair elastics and clips. Having these accessories on hand will save you from a bad hair day, as you’ll simply be able to pull your hair up and go about your activities the next day. This is especially helpful if you know you’ll be out and about the next day – you always want to have a back-up plan when it comes to your hair.
If you know you’re going to have makeup on when you travel to someone else’s place, you’ll definitely want to make sure you bring makeup remover. You can find travel-sized makeup wipes to keep in your overnight bag for those spontaneous overnight trips. If you’re picky about the products you put on your face, you’ll want to be prepared with your makeup remover of choice, just in case the person you’re visiting doesn’t have it. This will ensure that you’re feeling comfortable and fresh for the evening and the next day!
This may seem like one of the more obvious items on the list, but it’s certainly important enough to include! Make sure you pack some sort of hair brush or comb in your overnight bag, no matter where you’re going. You’ll want to make sure you’re looking your best the next day, and having knots in your hair isn’t exactly the best way to go about that. This is another item that you can find in a travel-sized variety to really make sure you always have one packed and ready to go.
Okay, so you’re traveling somewhere for the evening, and you don’t know what the next day is going to bring. To smell your best, make sure you bring some perfume with you! If you don’t want to pack your valuables, you can find mini sample perfume bottles online and in a variety of different stores. Pick out a scent you like and keep it in your overnight bag at all times. This will save you the hassle of packing your bigger bottles and prevent any potential leakages in your overnight bag.
Take care of your eyes when you go on your overnight trip by bringing sunglasses, glasses, and/or contacts! If you’re worried about losing your contacts, it wouldn’t hurt to pack that back-up pair of glasses just in case you need them. Additionally, if you know you’ll be going out and doing something throughout the next day, you’ll want to bring your sunnies with you. Eye protection goes a long way when it comes to comfort – don’t take it for granted.
Just in case you miss a shower the next day, bring some dry shampoo! Dry shampoo is another item on the list that comes in a travel-sized variety, so you can always keep a bottle in your overnight bag if necessary. This is especially essential if you know you’re going to be in a rush or waking up super early the day after your overnight trip. Even if you have the option to shower, it wouldn’t hurt to bring it just in case your plans change. Dry shampoo will keep your hair looking healthy and fresh, even without washing it!
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