How to pack a car boot

We know what you're thinking - just throw it all in there.

It's hard to sit down and plan what you need to take. But there's only so much space, and although you might be heading off for a comfortable holiday, it's important to take only the stuff that you really need.

What do we take?

Most folk try to shove just about everything they own into the boot. But a lot of the items you pack won't be necessary. Make a list, and don't leave the packing until the last minute.

A good way to pack the boot is to do a rehearsal pack. As you run out of room, you'll start pulling out the unnecessary items.

A good pack

Roadies round the world congratulate themselves when they complete a good pack. You don't want objects to shift round when you're travelling. (Stop the car. What was that noise?)

Large square objects such as chillybins and suitcases sit nicely on the bottom and it's easy to stack other items on top.

Use towels to pack between things or as added protection for any fragile items.

Breakdown ahead

Remember that you may need to get to that spare wheel or tools that lie buried under a loose pile of odds and ends.

This is when you'll wish you packed your favourite jacket inside a case or taken the expensive linen off the pillows before you left.

I need something from out of the back

The most often heard cry from the back seat, apart from "I need to go to the toilet". Make sure your travelling companions (friends can be just as grating as kids) carry their necessary items such as wallets, sunglasses and iPods with them in the cabin of the vehicle.

What do we leave behind?

Anything that's a trapping of modern-day living. If you're going on holiday, you don't need the home theatre system. You'll have to stand firm on how much stuff the kids bring. But don't forget the kids. Just don't put them in the boot.