What won’t you simply go on holiday without?

An audit of people’s packing habits has come up with some interesting results, writes Fiona Evans. And no surprise – the kids seem to have the upper hand.

If you’re planning on going away for a half-term break your preparation may already be a work in progress – tautly orchestrated with military precision.

Or perhaps you belong to a different tribe; where the prospect of filling suitcases leaves you floundering in a heap of panic - and clothing - frantically invoking the powers of Mary Poppins.

However we face the preamble to a family holiday there is something about packing that can strike fear into the heart of many a sane parent.

And with more than a third of Brits admitting, in one survey, to shedding tears after forgetting their favourite home comforts, perhaps it’s no surprise that the pressure of preparation can feel like a heavy load.

The study of 1,500 people excavated their packing habits and found that Brits take a lot of time and effort with it - spending an average of five days carefully curating their bags.

Three out of four parents admitted that their child’s beloved cuddly toy has seen more places around the globe than they ever did as a youngster, according to the research from European holiday experts Eurocamp.

With that special toy being a non-negotiable travel item for little ones, 72 per cent of parents said that it must come on holiday, and that leaving it behind could prompt a meltdown at any moment.

Almost two thirds of families said that they give up precious suitcase space for their children, missing out on vital holiday outfit options and their own creature comforts.

With the children’s stuff taking priority, almost 80 per cent of families have had to become self-declared packing masters.

The space once occupied by home comforts, multiple outfits and accessories has been usurped by packing cubes, tightly rolled clothes and the little ones’ favourite things.

Despite the stress of packing for a family, almost 90 per cent of people revealed that it makes them even more excited about a trip, with 60 per cent saying that packing is the best part of a holiday.

With suitcase space at a premium and morphing into something akin to prized real estate, the strain may be beginning to show long before even setting foot on an aeroplane.

If you’re among the tribe for whom no getaway is complete without at least one clan row, fear not – according to the survey, families get into an average of three arguments before their big departure.

Despite taking time and care over what we put in our suitcases, things get overlooked – and home comforts can be forgotten.

Tea bags topped the list of things Brits love to take abroad and failure to remember them could well end in tears for many.

Almost half of those surveyed said they need to pack tea bags in order to survive a holiday, with nearly one in six admitting to packing their own kettle or coffee machine to make their perfect holiday brew.

A further 15 per cent confessed to bringing their own iron abroad with them, forgoing an extra pair of shoes to ensure their clothes look pristine.

And nearly 14 per cent of Brits admitted to stuffing their favourite duvet into their suitcase to get the perfect night’s sleep when away.

“The survey data about what the nation loves to take on holiday with them really reflects everything we see in our parcs across Europe,” said Ross Matthews, chief sales and marketing officer at Eurocamp.

“Our love of tea isn’t world renowned for nothing. Some of our on-site team have even revealed this is a regular question guests ask when they arrive; where can they get their favourite tea

bags?”