Luggage is a great category for me, I've never got the hang of traveling light. For me luggage consists of two very large hard plastic suitcases full of my stuff plus a swimming cossie and spare pair of undies for hubby! Here's my indispensable list of holiday items, without which I could not survive a week. Yes you do have to worry about excess baggage, always weigh your suitcases before you leave home, then take out all the clothes and weight them again.

~~~ Sleeping Companion ~~~
Peter is my favorite stuffed penguin, who I have had since I was a little child. I can't sleep without him and he travels everywhere with me. He really enjoyed going to the Caribbean last year for my honeymoon! I know, I'm a nutter- but if you take a look at my penguins site you will see how cute he is. OK you are all thinking that a 32 year old woman should know better but those of you with children know that you forget teddy at your peril. Who wants a sulky child for a fortnight just because they forgot to pack their special friend?

~~~ Half A Library ~~~
The day before our wedding I came home from the library with a big stash of paperbacks. My husband looked at me and said "what do you need those for, we are going on holiday next week?" Men eh. A good read is essential whilst lying on the beach, by the pool, hanging around the airport or just reading before bed. Libraries are brilliant as they now stock a lot more paperbacks than they used to and you don't want to fill your suitcase with heavy hard backed books.

~~~ Playing Cards ~~~
The number of games you can play with a pack of playing cards is endless, what other game could take up so little space and offer such a variety of amusement? They can be used as a solitary activity, or one for couples or groups (OK I'm remembering that 18-30 holiday again!). Playing cards are handy to while away the hours of airport delays whenever the French Air Traffic Controllers go on strike (monthly isn't it?). They give you a rainy day activity and something to keep you amused whilst you sit inside nursing your sunburn. Sometimes we take a crib board as well as we find that a good two person game.

~~~ Toiletries ~~~
Think about the toiletries you are actually going to need whilst you are on holiday. Do you really want that 500ml bargain moisturizing lotion? Not when a smaller container will do, the smaller one will take up less room in your case and not add to your excess baggage. Good sun lotions are essential, buy before you go away then you know there will be no language difficulty when reading the packet. For after sun protection only one thing will do Aloe Vera Gel, this can be bought really cheaply and is the coolest soother when you've had too much sun. Oh its good for regular burns too.

~~~ Credit Card ~~~
One of the adverts used to say "Don't leave home without it". A truer sentiment I have never heard. Having a credit card can be invaluable if you have a sudden and unexpected expense, or even if you've just overspent. I couldn't think of a worse case scenario than being stranded away from home without any means of payment. As such I always keep my credit card separately to my spending money to ensure I don't lose (or have stolen) both of them.