Williams Family: Our "MacGyver" Bag

What you see in the photo above is a gallon size plastic bag that our family refers to as the "MacGyver" bag and it goes with us on every trip.

Some background.  MacGyver was a seven-season action, mystery television show from the late 80's where the hero, MacGyver, solved problems using everyday objects.  Our bag is full of everyday items that have come in handy on many of our trips, hence the name.

Items in the bag include wooden clothespins--the pinchy kind.  We use these to keep curtains closed in hotel rooms, hang bathing suits for drying, even hang up towels if needed.  We also have magnetic clips.  These are used when on the cruise ships as the stateroom doors are metal and we use them to hang paper items like excursion tickets, list of cruise activities, etc.  Horizontal space is a premium in staterooms, so this allows us to hang items, even lanyards. 

The roll of duct tape is to repair broken suitcases, broken shoes, and even once, used to keep the toilet lid up.  The hotel had remodeled and installed a shelf behind the toilet, but the shelf was so wide that the toilet lid, when up, did not have enough room to make a 90 degree or more angle and therefore would either fall down after each use or require to be put down.  Let's just say it was tricky and the duct tape kept the lid up. 

In the middle of the duct tape roll is a baby jar with powdered dish washing soap.  The soap is for use to clean any dining items, such as mugs or cups and it's in a glass baby jar to be protected from moisture or leaks.  It can also be used to wash clothing items in a sink or bathtub if necessary.  The fact that it is powder rather than liquid helps with TSA screenings, too.

Other items include samples of laundry pods--a variety of brands.  There are also rubber bands!  Rubber bands have been used to keep the boys pants/shorts up when they have been too small and too big!  One cruise, the boy put on his nice pants for dinner and they wouldn't button!  I whipped out a rubber band and weaved it through the button hole and the button.  Voila!  On another trip, the boy's shorts were too big around the waist.  Rubber band used to cinch up the back belt loops.  Problem solved!  Rubber bands can also keep shoes together and even attach suitcase zipper ends if they won't come together.

You may ask if the the bag goes in our checked or carry on luggage.  The answer is either.  Whatever bag has room.

Our "MacGyver" bag stays ready to go into a suitcase at all times.  We have to be careful not to go to the bag for situations that occur at home as it would be easy not to replenish the bag and be left empty handed while traveling.