15 Things to Do Before Vacation (That Have Nothing to Do With Packing)
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It’s vacation season, and before you even think about rolling out the suitcase, let’s rewind a bit.
The real secret to a relaxing trip? What you do before you leave the house.
There is nothing worse than walking through the door after a beautiful trip and being smacked in the face with dirty dishes, musty laundry, unpaid bills, or that sinking “I forgot to…” feeling.
So today, we’re talking about how to prep your home, your life, and your mindset before takeoff—so you return feeling refreshed, not overwhelmed.
Here’s what to knock off your list before your next getaway:
Hold Your Mail: Schedule a mail hold online through USPS or drop by your post office. Bonus: request delivery for the day you return!
Prep an Emergency Contact List: Keep your sitter or neighbor in the loop—include where you’ll be staying, pet instructions, and local emergency contacts.
Gather All IDs & Docs: Driver’s license, passport, health insurance cards, hotel confirmations, and yes—backups of each, either printed or saved digitally.
Master Your Packing List: Make one big, reusable list with categories like clothes, chargers, snacks, and meds. Less thinking, more checking boxes.
Pay Bills & Budget for Autopay: Log in, pay early if needed, and double-check what’s scheduled to come out while you’re gone.
Arrange House/Pet Sitters Early: Reliable help books up fast. If you need coverage—house check-ins, pet care, plant watering—text them now.
Prep a Freezer Meal: Trust me on this one. Future you will cry happy tears when she comes home to a ready-made dinner.
Tidy Up the Yard: Secure outdoor furniture, mow the lawn, and check for anything weather-sensitive.
Empty the Fridge, Sink & Trash: Toss perishables, run the dishwasher, and take out every single trash bin. No one wants post-vacation flies.
Unplug Electronics & Save Power: Turn off power strips and unplug items you won’t use. Safer + saves electricity.
Close Blinds, Lock Everything: Do a final walkthrough to lock all doors/windows and close blinds for privacy.
Set an Out-of-Office Reply: A simple auto-response lets people know you’re away and when to expect a reply. If you run a business, this is non-negotiable.
Purge Your Purse & Wallet: No one wants to carry receipts from February. Clean it out so it’s light, functional, and travel-ready.
Do the Laundry: All of it. Nothing says “I’ve got my life together” like coming home to an empty hamper.
Notify Your Bank: If traveling internationally, let your bank know your travel dates to avoid card blocks.
PAM Tip: This entire list can be handled for you. If the thought of doing all this prep on top of packing for kids and planning logistics is already exhausting—you don’t have to do it alone. This is exactly the kind of vacation prep our team handles for PAM clients.
Over to You: What’s one thing you always do before leaving for vacation that’s not on this list? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear it!
Amy Root | Owner and Founder of Personal Assistant For Mom
Your sometimes-messy-but-always-organized “Jill of all trades” you didn’t know you needed—supporting moms with practical help, a sense of humor, and a whole lot of heart.
✨ Need a hand? Contact Me and let's figure it out, together.
