Packing for festivals can be tricky, in Ireland, you need to be going fully prepared for 4 seasons because the weather forecast is never 100% reliable. Today, I am spending my day off packing for Body and soul which is on this weekend. Here's some of my must haves going to a festival... 

Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad. So these items are the most obvious must haves if you are camping at a festival. I always bring a light blanket too just to put on the floor! My tent is a pop up one as there is absolutely no way I would have any idea how to pitch a tent. I did try once and after two hours of trying, I gave up and paid some scouts to do it! Pop ups are also much more convenient if you plan on bringing your tent home! 

2.Toiletries 

All of these items are my shower. Like most people, I don't shower at a festival. However staying as fresh as possible is important. Baby wipe showers are totally acceptable followed by a nice moisturiser and an extreme amount of deodorant and body spray normally does the trick. Dry shampoo is key for keeping hair fresh and even if it doesn't work, stick in some french braids! 

As well as smelling and looking fresh all of this contributes to feeling it which really helps the hangover, especially on day 3! 

3. Toilet Roll 

Next on my list is a roll of toilet roll because portaloos are unpleasant but even worse when there is no toilet roll, which is more common than not. 

4. Comfy Shoes 

Comfortable shoes are key. I've never really been a fan of wellies just because I don't like how they look on me. This festival season we have been blessed with the weather so far and so luckily there hasn't been a need for wellies. My go to festival shoes this year have been my Creepers, they are comfy and keep my feet warm when it gets colder. I have my Nike sliders pictured here because I think flip flops are something we'd never think to bring in Ireland to a festival but I will definitely be throwing them into my bag for body and soul because when the weather is good, there is nothing worse than having to walk around the campsite in heavy shoes and socks when you just get up! Let the toes breathe! 

5. Plastic Bags 

One thing I always do regardless of the weather forecast is, pack my clothes in plastic bags before putting them into my suitcase. This just means even if it does rain, your clothes are dry. I couldn't imagine anything worse than having to put on wet clothes!

6. Snacks!

I barely have an appetite at festivals but still try and get a bit of food in to line the stomach! Pot Noodle are a great snack and most places on campsites will give you some hot water! I normally bring some fruit for the morning times and chocolate bars and rice cakes for energy! Water is so important too, I normally bring a large bottle which I can refill because it is lighter than carrying large bottles on the journey there! 

7. Portable Charger 

Becuase it is important to remind the people outside of the festival that you're surviving the madness and to do so you need your phone. Of course, there is phone charging booths but a portable charger is handy to have as the booths are normally about €5 per charge! 

8. Glitter 

Becuase are you even at a festival if you're not wearing glitter? Coloured eye shadows and lipsticks are always fun too if glitter isn't your thing! 

9. Warm Clothes

Because even if it's 20 degrees during the daytime, it's almost guaranteed to be cold come sundown! I always bring my rug jumper or a onesie. I always bring a rain jacket too even if there is no rain forecast because as I said earlier, you can never predict the weather in Ireland! 

10. Suncream 

A total contradiction to number 9 and to be honest before getting extremely sunburnt at Life I never would have had it on my checklist. I, unfortunately, learnt the hard way that even at Irish festivals you can get sunburnt. I ended up with a swollen face for a week (NOT FUN)

11. Light 

Bringing a small flashlight or even little battery fairy lights is never a bad idea, the tent can be dark at nighttime and if your phone is dead, well things can get difficult. A light outside the tent also comes in handy when its dark and you are trying to find your way back to your campsite! There is nothing worse than strolling around lost for 2 hours looking for your tent (Me at Electric picnic last year) 

12. Small Backpack 

I love a small backpack with me at all times when I leave the campsite to store my phone, camera, wallet etc. and at body and soul, it is more convenient than a bum bag because you can bring drink in with you to the main arena (The dream). 

So that's just a few bits which I think are so important to have whilst at a festival, but so easily forgotten about. We all remember the clothes, makeup, cans, etc. but forget the little things which sometimes just make the whole camping thing that little bit more comfortable! 

Grainne 

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