Hanukkah in Europe With Kids: How to Pack Winter Clothes Without an Extra Suitcase

On a family winter trip, coats and boots take most of the space, not shirts. The fix: everyone wears their bulkiest item on the flight, you pack layers instead of extra coats, and you compress sweaters and coats in vacuum bags. Just remember that vacuum compression saves space, not weight, and on many flights a checked bag is limited to 23 kg (about 50 lb). Hanukkah 2026 begins on Friday evening, December 4.

What takes the most space in a winter suitcase?

A down coat, a pair of boots and a thick sweater for everyone, and on a family trip all of that is multiplied by every child. So before deciding on another suitcase, go through the list and ask about every bulky item: can it be worn on the flight, replaced with layers, or compressed?

Wear the heavy stuff on the flight

The simplest step: everyone boards with their own coat, thick sweater and heavy shoes. On the plane, take the coat off and put it in the overhead bin or fold it into a pillow for a child. That way the suitcase stays free for clothes you can fold and compress. Snow boots that can't be worn on the flight, for example a child's pair that isn't comfortable, go in the suitcase with socks stuffed inside so the space isn't wasted. How to keep them from dirtying the clothes, in our guide how to pack shoes in a suitcase.

Layers instead of another coat

Instead of two coats per child, one rain-resistant coat with three layers under it works better: a snug thermal layer, a fleece or sweater, and the coat on top. Thin layers pack small, dry quickly in the hotel, and let you dress for a cold day or a warm shop. A basic list per child for a week:

• One rain-resistant coat (worn on the flight)
• Two thermal layers, top and bottom
• Two sweaters or fleeces
• A hat, scarf and gloves, plus a spare pair of gloves because they get lost
• Thick socks, a pair for each day
• Waterproof shoes (worn on the flight) and a second pair if snow is planned

For the daypack, too, choose a fabric that stands up to rain. The difference between water-repellent and waterproof is explained in our guide choosing a backpack for winter.

Compression: vacuum bags for winter clothes

Winter clothes are exactly what vacuum bags are made for, because they're mostly air. In our Olbia set, according to the manufacturer, a medium 60×40 cm bag holds three down coats or six hoodies, and compression reduces the volume by up to 80%. The electric pump is rechargeable, small and fits in the suitcase, so you compress again before the flight home. According to the manufacturer all three sizes also fit in a 20 inch carry-on.

A tip for families: one bag per child, with all their clothes for the whole trip. That way you don't empty the entire suitcase looking for the little one's gloves. If you want one solution without a separate pump, the Malverin organizer is a 16 liter storage bag (43×26×15 cm) with a built-in pump. All the options are on the travel vacuum bags page.

What goes in each child's carry-on

The carry-on is your insurance if a suitcase is delayed. Pack one change of warm clothes per child, a hat and gloves for leaving the airport, a charger, a snack and something to keep them busy on the flight. On low-cost airlines like Wizz Air and Ryanair the free bag is limited to 40×30×20 cm (according to our table, September 2026), so a child's small backpack beats a big tote. What to do if a suitcase still doesn't arrive, in our guide lost luggage on a flight.

The trap: weight

After compressing it's easy to get carried away and fill the space you freed. But vacuum doesn't remove a single gram, and a compressed suitcase weighs the same as before. On many flights a checked bag is limited to 23 kg, and on the basic fare of low-cost airlines like Wizz Air and Ryanair even the overhead cabin bag costs extra. Weigh every suitcase at home, and check what your ticket includes before deciding how many bags to book. Each airline's limits are laid out in our guide how much luggage may weigh on a flight.

How many suitcases for a family?

The right way to count is by kilograms, not volume. A large 28 inch suitcase holds 91 to 121 liters in our range, and with compressed clothes it's very easy to go over 23 kg in a big suitcase. So sometimes it's better to split the weight between two medium suitcases instead of one large, overloaded one. An expandable suitcase gives you extra room on the way home, for gifts and chocolate. And if you plan to come back with lots of shopping, we have a full guide on planning an extra suitcase for shopping.

Heading for the slopes, not just the city? A ski holiday has its own considerations, with gear and ski suits, in our ski packing guide.

Right before you close the suitcase

• Did you weigh every suitcase at home, and is it under the limit on the ticket?
• Did you check what each family member's ticket includes, cabin bag included?
• Is the vacuum bag pump charged and packed, for compressing on the way home?
• Did you leave a little room for gifts and shopping on the way back?
• Are the coats and heavy shoes ready by the door, to wear on the flight?