It's never too soon to start checking to see what we might stuff into our bags. Packing for winters away is pretty routine now. We've always been travellers though. We are pros at keeping clothes to a minimum, especially since we always head somewhere warm for our retirement winters!
I have years of being used to wearing the rattiest of underwear when travelling, contrary to what your mother may have told you. Of course, that allows all my ageing garments to get the boot before our return journey. This, in turn, allows for even more space in which to tuck items when coming back here in the spring.
However, even the cheapest international flight offers a free piece of luggage. In fact, most airlines allow 30 kg or around 66 lbs when flying into and out of the Middle East.
Therefore, we will have room for some last-minute items to completely fill every suitcase cranny. Sometimes, they're not items that make a lot of economic sense, but even ordinary items, if imported, carry extra cachet. We don't mind lugging around edible souvenirs no matter how superfluous.