How To Throw A Dinner Party That Doesn't Suck

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Dinner parties are supposed to be fun but as there is always the risk that your guests might not enjoy themselves, they can also be quite stressful too.

To ensure your next dinner party doesn't suck (and cause your guests to make an early exit), here are some suggestions we hope you find useful.

#1: Don't risk new recipes

You want to wow your guests with the food you create but don't be tempted to prepare something you have never cooked before. If you do, there is the chance that something might go wrong in the kitchen so the food you serve up might not be as tasty or as good-looking as you hoped it would be.

If you do want to try out an exotic new cuisine, practice the recipe days before your dinner party. This way, you are less likely to make a cooking faux pas. Alternatively, opt for a tried-and-tested recipe you know your guests will enjoy to ensure a stress-free evening with them.

 
#2: Prepare food your guests can eat

This is obvious, we know, but there is a chance that you could prepare something inappropriate for guests who are looking to eat healthier or for those who have certain food intolerances.

As such, it's wise to find out about your guest's culinary needs in advance so as to avoid any uncomfortable moments at your dinner party. You might have to create more than one dish to suit all of your guest's needs, so be prepared to spend extra time in the kitchen. Alternatively, ask tricky guests to contribute to the menu as they will know their own food needs better than you do.

 
#3: Have a variety of drinks

Drinks are sometimes an afterthought at a dinner party but don't let this be the case. Many party hosts provide bottles of wine but they forget about those guests who don't drink alcohol or who want something more exciting than a glass of red or white!

So, provide non-alcoholic alternatives for those who don't want to get a little tipsy. And purchase a cocktail making kit so you can serve your guests all kinds of colourful and exciting drinks on the night of your dinner party.

#4: Provide entertainment

A dinner party is about more than just food and drink. It's about having fun with the people you are spending time with. While your guests will (hopefully) talk to one another and enjoy each other's company, there is the risk that conversation will dry up at some point in the evening.

Should this happen, your guests are likely to feel uncomfortable and some of them might make excuses and leave. To ensure this doesn't happen, provide some form of entertainment. So, you could hire a DJ and make room in your home for a dance floor. Or you could try one of these dinner party games to get everybody talking and mixing. You might even have a karaoke night after your food dishes have all been tidied away.

Be sure to consider your guests when planning entertainment and prepare something you're sure most of them will enjoy!

These are our suggestions but if you have dinner party ideas that you think our readers will find useful, let us know in the comments below.

Spick and Span: How to Make Sure Your Home is Show-Ready before Listing

 Are you getting ready to sell your home? If so, one of the most important things you can do is ensure it is spick and span. A clean and tidy home will show better in photos and help potential buyers visualize themselves living there. This blog post will discuss some tips on how to get your home ready for listing.

1) Declutter:

Decluttering your home is one of the most important steps in making sure it's show-ready before listing. Start by going through each room and removing items you don't need or use anymore. Donate, sell, or discard things that don't have a place in the home - this helps create a feeling of spaciousness and order. Next, make sure to organize closets, cabinets, drawers, and surfaces - this helps make the home appear larger and better maintained.

Additionally, if you have an excess of personal items like photos or memorabilia, consider storing them away temporarily until after the sale. Spending time to declutter your home can make a huge difference when it comes to listing your property!

2) Deep Clean:

Once you have decluttered your home, it's time to do a deep clean! Start from top to bottom and use the appropriate cleaning products for each surface. Pay extra attention to high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and floors. For example, mop hardwood or tile floors with a mild detergent and water solution; clean carpets with a vacuum designed for the type of material; and scrub surfaces like counters, sinks, and tubs with specialized cleaners. Consider having professional cleaners come in to make sure everything is sparkling. A thorough deep clean will help ensure your home is show-ready before listing.

Via Pexels

3) Replace the Necessary:

When it comes to getting a home ready for listing, it is important to replace items that are no longer in good condition. For example, old light fixtures, window coverings, awnings for balcony, and flooring should be replaced with new ones. Additionally, any broken or damaged appliances should also be replaced with modern versions.

This helps create an impression of spaciousness and order and shows potential buyers that the home has been well-maintained. Furthermore, replacing items like door handles and cabinet hardware can add style and character to the house. Finally, returning the necessary items before listing your home can ensure that it looks its best.

4) Stage:

Staging is one of the most important steps in making sure a home is show-ready before listing. Staging involves arranging furniture and décor in an aesthetically pleasing manner that helps potential buyers visualize living in the house. Start by removing excess furniture, if needed, to create a feeling of spaciousness. Then, move pieces around so that each room appears inviting and functional.

Also, add some small decorations like flowers or plants for added appeal. Lastly, make sure all areas are well-lit by opening curtains and adding extra lighting fixtures as necessary. By taking these steps, you will be able to stage your home perfectly for listing.

In conclusion, preparing your home for listing can be a daunting task. However, with a little hard work and dedication, you can make sure that it's show-ready before you list it. Start by decluttering and deep cleaning each room. Then, replace any necessary items and stage your home to create an inviting atmosphere. With these tips in mind, you'll be able to get your property ready for sale in no time

3 Practical Tips To Make Your Home More Sellable

 

Image Credit: Justinedgecreative from Pixabay.

Selling a home takes a lot of work, and it often seems as though the process never ends. It could get dragged out, especially if you don’t get many offers. You could want to make your home more sellable, which seems complicated. It shouldn’t be.

Instead, it’s a matter of being practical with it and knowing what you can and can’t do. By following a few home selling tips, you can make things much easier for you. Three of these stand out, and you shouldn’t have a problem with selling your home. You could even make some extra money out of it.

It’s worth going through them.

Make Your Home More Sellable: 3 Practical Tips

1. Get The Right Smells

You’d be surprised how much of an impact smells have when you’re selling your home. If a potential buyer walks in and they don’t like the smell, it’ll be an instant turn-off. Take the time to make your home smell nice when you’re selling it.

Keeping everything clean is a start, but it’s also worth considering scented candles and a few similar options. By making your home smell more appealing, you’ll make it more likely that potential buyers will be interested. It’ll make more of a difference than you’d think.

2. Update The Kitchen

The kitchen often gets the most attention from potential buyers, so it’s always worth focusing on this if you want to make your home more sellable. Consider giving it a few updates to give it some extra appeal. You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg when you’re doing this, though.

Even doing up the kitchen cabinets can be quick, easy, and affordable to do. All it takes is a bit of sanding and a new paint job. You can even get this done in an afternoon, so it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

3. Replace Old Appliances

The appliances in a home could make a significant difference in whether or not someone wants to buy the house. If you’re including any of these in the sale, make sure they’re high-quality options. That could mean replacing some of them.

From a water heater replacement to upgrading your refrigerator, there’s a lot to consider with this. While this could mean spending a bit of money, it should make you more money in the sale. It’ll be a cost-effective way of making your home more sellable.

If you’re updating the kitchen anyway, it’s worth considering this.

Make Your Home More Sellable: Wrapping Up

If you want to make your home more sellable, you could think it’ll take a lot of time and work. While there’ll be some effort involved, it doesn’t need to be as complicated as you’d think. You’ll just need to concentrate on some of the right areas.

Updating the kitchen, using the right scents, and replacing old appliances are some of the more notable of these. With a little work, you could even end up selling your home for a higher price than you thought you would.

Road Trip Tips for the UK

 A road trip in the United Kingdom is a fantastic way to see the country. With so much to see and do, it's no wonder that road trips are becoming increasingly popular. However, there are a few things to remember when planning your trip. This blog post will give you our top tips for road trips in the UK.

Via Pixabay

Make Sure You Apply For An International driver's Licence

If you're visiting the UK from another country, you'll need to make sure you apply for an international driver's License. This will allow you to drive in the UK without any problems. You can apply for one easily online or at your local post office.

Plan Your Route

The first step is to plan your route. The UK is a small country, but there's still a lot to see. You'll want to make sure you hit all the highlights while allowing time to explore some of the smaller towns and villages along the way. One way to do this is to map out your route in advance and then give yourself some flexibility by planning for detours and side trips.

Choose The Right Car Rental Company

Choosing the right car rental company is vital to a successful road trip. Make sure you read customer reviews and research to find the best deal for you. You want a comfortable, reliable, and fuel-efficient car to get the most out of your trip.

Know Local Road And Driving Laws

The UK has different laws, rules, and regulations regarding driving. Make sure you take some time to research these before your trip, so you don't get caught out or fined for breaking the law. It's also important to familiarise yourself with local road signs and speed limits – failing to obey them could result in points on your Licence.

The Weather

Another thing to consider when planning your route is the time of year. The weather in the UK can be unpredictable, so consider that when choosing your destination and travel dates. For example, if you're planning on driving through the Scottish Highlands, you'll want to avoid winter when the roads are often covered in snow and ice.

Pack wisely

Once you've planned your route, it's time to start packing! When packing for a road trip, it's essential to strike a balance between bringing everything you need and not overpacking. You want to avoid being stuck lugging around heavy suitcases full of clothes you never wear or souvenirs you never use. Instead, pack light and only bring what you know you'll need.

A few items we recommend packing for your road trip include:

A first-aid kit

A map of the UK (just in case!)

A power adapter (if you're coming from overseas)

Comfortable walking shoes

A raincoat

An umbrella

A driver's License (if you're renting a car)

Bring Snacks and Drinks

No road trip is complete without snacks and drinks! When packing food for your trip, try to choose non-perishable and easy to eat-while driving. Some of our favourite snacks for road trips include:

Trail mix

Dried fruit

Granola bars

Jerky

As for drinks, we recommend bringing plenty of water and some coffee or tea for long drives. If you're travelling with kids, pack juice boxes or other kid-friendly beverages. And, of course, remember the all-important cooler full of beer for those post-drive relaxation sessions!

Drive safely 

Finally, one of the most important tips we can give you is to drive safely! The roads in the UK are generally very well maintained, but they can be narrow and winding in places. Be sure to take breaks every few hours to stay refreshed and focused on the road ahead. Try to avoid driving at night as this can be more dangerous. If you have to go at night, be extra cautious and watch for animals on the side of the road. 

Book Overnight Accommodation In Advance

When planning a road trip, booking accommodation in advance is essential. A good B&B is an excellent option for road trips as they offer comfortable lodging and often provide discounts when you book multiple nights. B&Bs also allow you to experience the local culture, something that can't be done if you're staying in a chain hotel.

Via Pixabay

Make Use Of Various Apps

Another great way to make your road trip easier is using various apps. From finding the best places to stay to navigating unfamiliar roads, many apps can help you get the most out of your journey. Some of our favourite road trip apps include Google Maps, Waze and TripAdvisor – all of which offer great features to make your road trip a breeze.

Prepare In Advance If You Are Driving An Electric Vehicle

If you plan on travelling in an electric vehicle, an extra step must be taken. Electric vehicles have a limited range and require more frequent recharging stops than traditional petrol cars. To make sure your trip goes smoothly, we recommend doing some research beforehand to find out where the nearest charging points are located. This will ensure that you have enough power to get where you need to go.

Be Prepared For Delays

Road trips can be unpredictable, so make sure you allow for delays when planning your route and activities. That way, if something goes wrong – like horrible traffic or car trouble – you won't rush to make up for lost time.

Get Travel Insurance

Lastly, getting travel insurance before setting off on your road trip is essential. Unexpected things can happen while you're travelling, and having the right coverage will give you peace of mind knowing that you are protected in case of an accident or illness. Be sure to research different insurance policies and ensure they cover all of the activities you plan on doing during your journey.

In conclusion, road trips can be a fantastic way to explore all the UK offers. With some careful planning and a few of our tips, you can ensure that your journey is both safe and enjoyable. Bon voyage!

Massive Mother's Day Gift Guide Giveaway from Top UK Bloggers

 Today we are celebrating all mothers. Mother's day is a great day to show your mother or mother-in-law or stepmother, whoever is the mother in your life how much you care. It is also a great day for us bloggers to give back to you in the form of an epic giveaway. Hosted by some of the UK's top bloggers. I am so excited to off you the chance to win some incredible prizes and it couldn't be easier to enter either. 

There are so many awesome gifts in this giveaway you could split them up and use them for gifts thought out the year. Making this an even better prize. I love entering comps and I hope you do too. I hope you enjoy these comps we run and I wish you all the luck in the world. So good luck and happy comping. 

Let's get into the details. 

And we're back! This time to spoil your mum. Or perhaps you can win yourself some treats! We have over £550 worth of incredible prizes! This is not only a giveaway but also a great Mother's Gift Guide to help you get ideas and inspiration for your mum or the special lady in your life this Mother's Day.

KEEP SCROLLING DOWN TO ENTER AND FOR THE FULL LIST OF AMAZING PRIZES! This is not only a giveaway but also a great Mother's Gift Guide.

The Prizes

ADULT MICRO SCOOTER AND SAFETY HELMET

Multi award winning, women founded and run B Corp business Micro Scooters are renowned for revolutionising the school run. But why should kids have all the fun?  Micro’s range of adult scooters makes getting from A-B quicker, greener, healthier and let’s face it – more fun.

Whether you hop on a 2 wheeled scooter for the school run with the kids, as part of your commute to work or for weekend adventures – you’ll never look back once you do.

There are huge benefits to scooting too. It’s a low impact way of building strength, endurance, and stability.  It boosts your mood too, promoting the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain. So hop on, push off and share their adventures.

THE PRIZE

• Any adult Micro scooter
• Any adult Micro scooter helmet
• Total prize value of £215

Cocoonzzz Silk Pillowcase and Eye Mask

At Belledorm, they understand the importance of a good night's sleep. For over 45 years, the family-owned company has been dedicated to providing UK customers with Exceptional Bed Linen that helps them rest easy.

They don't just sell bedding - they offer a solution. Sleep is the foundation of our daily lives, and the right bedding can make all the difference. That's why they are passionate about providing soft, cozy, and luxurious sheets, pillowcases, and duvets that make you feel like you're sleeping in a dream. From the moment you slip into bed, you'll experience a sense of comfort and calm that carries you through the night and prepares you for the day ahead.

Here we are offering the chance to win a Cocoonzzz Silk Pillowcase and Eye Mask Bundle made from 100% pure mulberry grade A silk. Unlike cotton or linen, Silk glides over your face and reduced the stretching and pulling that causes lines on the skin. Sleeping on silk has proven beauty benefits: Reduces lines and wrinkles, wake up with a hydrated glowing skin, hypo-allergenic and temperature regulating.

Treat yourself or your mum to the best!

Buyagift: Treat Her Gift Voucher

Not sure what to get your mum? Look no further than Buyagift! The Treat Her Gift Voucher or Experience Box is the ideal gift with a selection of over 2,955 afternoon teas, relaxing spa days and adrenaline adventures for her to choose from. We have one Treat Her Gift Voucher for our lucky winner.

For more gift ideas for your mum check out Buyagift's gift guide here: Mother's Day Gift Guide 2023

Framed Best Selling Print of your choice from ink&drop

Win a framed Best Selling Print from ink&drop! Our lucky winner can choose a bestselling print of their choice in 50 x 70cm size. 

There's an incredible selection of unique prints to choose from in a range of different styles, from vintage antique prints, cheeky altered art paintings, pop art, dark decor, and street art graffiti prints. 

Ink & Drop's incredible posters will look amazing on any wall and best of all, the prize will arrive already framed, ready to hang straight on the wall!

HOME SPA FACE & BODY WITH COSMETIC BAG - MIMOSA & PETITGRAIN

Treat your mum with this gorgeous home spa face and body gift set which comes with a beautiful cosmetic bag. This gift set includes a luxurious combination of Pure Lakes Facial and Body Skincare products for an indulgent home spa experience which includes a Face Mask, Salt Scrub and Body Butter. The Mimosa & Petitgrain blend has both a sweetness and woodiness that balance beautifully to really infuse the senses. The set includes:

• Bentonite Clay x 25g
• Rosehip Seed Soap Free Facial Cleanser x 30ml
• Neroli & Geranium Flower Water Toner x 30ml
• Mimosa & Petitgrain Salt Scrub x 80g
• Mimosa & Petitgrain Shea Body Butter x 80ml

Collagen Shots from Rejuvenated 

Indulge mum this Mother's Day with Rejuvenated's multi-award-winning Collagen Shots. The brand's multi-award-winning collagen drink contains the perfect blend of hydrolysed marine collagen (10,000 mg,) antioxidants, vitamins and hyaluronic acid to plump, smooth and hydrates the skin. The amazing formula also helps to promote healthy blood sugar levels, strengthen connective tissue, alleviate menopausal symptoms and support joint health. We have 30 servings collagen shots for our lucky winner.

Bamboo Underwear Set from Positive Outlook

Help all mums feel extra special this Mother’s Day with Positive Outlook. We have a gorgeous bamboo underwear set for our lucky winner. Our winner can mix and match bamboo briefs and bralettes in their desired size and colour for the perfect fit and style of their choice.

Positive Outlook's underwear is not only extra comfortable and super stylish but they are also kind to the planet, making it the perfect gift for any mum who wants to secure a bright future for the planet and their children.

Crystal Candle from Wakuda

This crystal candle was lovingly made to awaken your feminine energy and celebrate all that is beautiful within us. With the beautiful home scent of aqua blossom and coral this inner goddess crystal candle smells divine and instantly teases your senses, lifts and makes you smile.

~Snow Quartz~
This stone is known for its soft feminine energy that will align your chakras and balance your yin yang, a stone that represents purity and helps you to connect and appreciate your inner goddess.

~Rose Quartz~
The stone of universal love and self- love, connecting to the heart chakra the rose quartz will promote inner healing and feelings of peace while dispelling negative energy and replacing it with loving vybz.

Signed Copy of Coming Home

One lucky mum can win a signed copy of Coming Home: A Guide to Being Your True Self. This gorgeous book aims to help readers break free of self-limiting beliefs and the expectations of others. It will help you rediscover your passions and pursue becoming the person you really want to be. A combination of Gillian's own story, she gives practical exercises for readers to try, Coming Home tells the story of how one ordinary woman completely turned her life around and how others can do the same too.

* As an Amazon Associate I earn from any qualifying purchases

The Bloggers

The Gift Guide and Giveaway have been organised by My Balancing Act, a busy mum's guide to getting the most out of your days, in collaboration with the family finance blog, Savvy Dad.

The amazing UK blogs behind this giveaway all offer fantastic content from parenting, finance and recipes to travel, days out and much more! Check their blogs out below for top tips and inspiration.

Life with Jupiter and Dann | Boxnip | The Mum Diaries | Evans Crittens | The Financial Wilderness | Working Mum Life | Anything and Everything Else | Cats Kids Chaos | Joyful Bite | Just Average Jen | Live the Easy Life | Travel Lover Blog | Gift Guides | Sister Lessons | Ask Me Up | Hannah and the Twiglets | Jenny in Neverland | We Made This Life | My Life Your Way | We Made This Vegan | Missljbeauty | Spillinglifetea | Rhian Westbury | My Money Cottage | Retro Vixen | Wotawoman Diary | Catch Up With Claire | Synderella Slims | Pounds and Sense | Things that start with | Things to do in Orlando | Florist or Flowershop | Luxury Hotels and Spa Life | Fruit Picking Farms | Restaurant Thailand | Life Loving | Kundalini Center | Georgina Caro | At Home With Alice | Best things to do in Cambridge | Two Plus Dogs | Geordie Grandma | Verily Victoria Vocalises | Victoria Welton Photography | Lisa's Notebook | A Suffolk Mum | Sustainable Business Magazine | Kelly Allen Writer | Joanna Victoria | Rice Cakes and Raisins | Everything Enchanting | Crazy Little Thing Called Love | Twins Tantrums and Cold Coffee | The Money Making Mum

How to Enter

You can enter the Giveaway by completing as many Rafflecopter widget entry options below as you like. All entries will be collected and one winner will be randomly chosen. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and Conditions

UK entries only
The giveaway will run from 11:59am 07th March 2023 to 11.59pm 19th March 2023.
The winners will be notified by email from rowena@mybalancingact.co.uk
The winner will have 7 days to respond after which time we reserve the right to select an alternative winner.
This prize draw is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, BlogLovin or Pinterest.
Prize open to over 18s only. Age verification may be required to receive some prizes.
If any prizes are out of stock then we will do our best to find a suitable replacement. but can not guarantee it. The prize for the Innovative Utensils only includes what is listed and not the full set on the picture.
Anyone who unfollows before the giveaway ends or doesn’t complete the required entry action will be disqualified.
The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for monetary value.
We may be using a parcel service or RoyalMail for some of the prizes and their standard compensation will apply in the event of loss or damage.
Some items may be sent directly by the supplier and we do not have responsibility if these go missing and we cannot replace these.
In the unlikely event one of the companies withdraws a prize we cannot offer an alternative.
The winner’s name will be stated on some or all of our blogger’s websites and announced on Twitter and other social media channels. It will also be displayed on the Rafflecopter Entry. By entering this prize draw you give your permission for this.
Please note the winner may have the same name as you so if you see your name displayed, be aware that you are not the winner unless you have been notified by us.
The prizes won't arrive in time for Mother's Day and there may be some delays in receiving prizes.

5 things all luxury homes have and your home can too.

We have all seen MTV cribs and the lives and times of the rich and famous. We all look on with admiration and sometimes astonishment. These enormous homes are filled with so many features and finishes we would all love.  So we all dream of winning a big jackpot to enable us to also have homes like these.  

Today, Let's talk about the 5 home luxury items you can actually have in your home. 

1. A home lift

Every celebrity home has an elevator as they call it or to us brits a lift. Celebrities and the wealthy like to flex their wealth when they can and by installing a lift in their homes they are showcasing this. Why walk up that beautiful staircase when you can get the lift. I mean we wouldn't want to wrinkle our expensive dresses, would we? 

All joking aside Home Lifts are not actually as unattainable as you might think. Long gone are these reserved for only the biggest and best luxury homes. These can be installed in most homes. Making them actually a really good option as they will help future-proof your home for old age. 

2. Wine room or cellar

I hate when I take home a bottle of wine only for it to sit on the wine rack in the kitchen or in the fridge. This will not be at optimal wine-drinking temperature when I want to drink it. How could I possibly survive this?

Do not worry. There are many solutions if you are looking to make an area of your home dedicated to wine. Ok, so we might not have the space for a full-on cellar or wine room. 

One of my friends converted the area under her stairs into a mini wine room. She has a wine fridge on one side and a wine rack built-in on the other side. This is all very cleverly concealed by a door which doubles as shelving. She told me it was actually very inexpensive to do this. So it is not an unattainable dream to have. 

3. Kitchen island

Kitchen islands are becoming popular in the UK. These were once things we saw in mansions in tv shows. But these are becoming more and more popular here. If you are watching Vogue's 73 questions have you seen even one celebrity home without a kitchen island? Nope, they are the it thing when it comes to kitchen counters in these homes. 

Luckily these are more readily available in the UK now and are really affordable. They come in everything from a basic version all the way up to luxury all singing and dancing versions. There is a version for every wallet. 

4. Boiling water tap 

Whilst we are talking kitchens. It would be remiss of me to not mention something that when I first saw it blow my mind. The Boiling water tap in kitchens. In the UK we have hot water taps but these are capped at a certain temperature and would not be hot enough to make a cup of tea with or get boiling water from to cook with. 

These are now here in the UK and I am seriously considering getting one. We are about to renovate and having boiling water on tap sounds like heaven to me. I can be impatient so this is right up my street. 

5. A gym

Are you even wealthy if you don't own a home gym? No, you are not. You might not use it but they all have it don't they. It is another way to flex their wealth and how fit and healthy they are. Well, that and their personal chef but one thing at a time. 

This is another myth that only the rich can have a home gym. In fact, I am currently building one myself. My downstairs bedroom has been transformed into a gym for my family. I have two Zwift cycling setups, weights and bench, pull-up bars and much much more. I know this is not for everyone but I made it a priority as I want to be as fit and healthy as possible. We all have different priorities but I have started to do more things that I enjoy and keeping fit is one of them. Saves me an expensive gym membership too. 

We all can get sucked into the world of celebrity but not everything is as it seems and people's lives are all different. I hope you enjoyed this more tongue-in-cheek post. 

Common Travel Mistakes People Make- And How You Can Avoid Them

 It doesn’t matter whether you are venturing overseas or whether you are more of a nomadic explorer, because it’s no surprise that you will sometimes experience a few hiccups along the way. If you want to make the most out of your travel experience, then this is the guide for you.

Overpacking

The number one mistake that so many people make is that they overpack. If you take a heavy suitcase with you then this can put a real downer on your holiday. If you have too many packed items then this can lead to you having a sore back, a lot of dirty laundry and even a messy hotel room. Overpacking starts with you packing a suitcase that is just bigger than what you need. If you can, start with a carry-on and then size-up if you truly need to. Choose everything you think you are going to need and then try and remove half of your items. The great thing about this exercise is that it helps you to narrow down your selection to the bare minimum.

Source: Pexels (CC0 License)

Dining too Close to Tourist Attractions

Cafes, restaurants and more that are close to tourist attractions will usually command a way higher price when compared to everywhere else. You will probably find a way better selection if you go a little further out, not to mention that you might save some money too. If you can, do some research before you go or ask the receptionist at your hotel if they have any recommendations. Local insight is invaluable at the end of the day, and it gives you a way better taste of the culture of the city you are travelling to.

Not Checking your Passport

It is absolutely essential that you check your passport before you go so you can make sure that it is not running out of time. You can renew your passport through MyBritishPassport if you are abroad already, and this is a great way for you to make sure that you are covered.

Taking Valuables with You

When you take expensive jewellery with you, such as a camera or even your smartphone, you may find that you end up attracting the attention of various pickpockets. Even if you know that pickpockets aren’t rife at your particular destination, you still have to make sure that you leave any items that cannot be replaced easily, at home. If you do need to take some valuables with you then do this mindfully. Take a jacket with some zip pockets or even wear a bag around your waist for your bank cards.

Being Overambitious

There is probably so much to see and even more to do at the destination of your choosing. If you want to visit 9 countries in 8 days then this may sound great on paper but at the end of the day, you may find that your trip becomes a blur because you can’t take in what is around you easily. If you can, you need to restrain yourself when the time comes for you to create your itinerary and you also need to add some unscheduled time so you can then immerse yourself into the culture of the place.