“Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays!” So the Christmas carol goes. But what happens when you’re moving during Christmas time? In an ideal world, you have ample time to choose your home and pack everything up. But doing so in the midst of holidays can be stressful.
If you have to find a new home and move during the holiday season, read these nine quick tips for a sane and happy holiday move.
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1. Only take what you need
It might seem quicker to pack everything up and deal with it once you arrive, but that only makes your transition more difficult and disorganized. Instead, sort through everything and only take what you absolutely love and/or need.
The rest? Give to family and friends (if they want it!), or donate it. If the weather’s good where you are, and you have the time and energy for it, set up a yard sale to make a little money while you get rid of everything.
The less you have to move, the easier it will be.
2. Organize your documents
There are many documents that you won’t need immediately, and you can easily pack these up to find later. However, if your children are switching schools, be sure to keep all school-related documents handy, such as immunization records. This will make those first couple weeks easier for you!
3. Create a capsule wardrobe
This is a super useful tip for both you and your children. A capsule wardrobe is a carefully curated selection of clothing and accessories that are streamlined and easier to create outfits with.
Instead of keeping your entire wardrobe unpacked, only keep 10-20 pieces of clothing (including shoes). You can just rotate between these pieces and pack away the rest.
This also keeps laundry to a minimum. Plus, you don’t have to think about what you’re going to wear. That saves you some much needed time and energy while you move.
And while you’re at it, if there’s anything you don’t want to keep in your closet, you can either sell, donate or give it away.
4. Don’t be afraid to get help
It’s overwhelming to have to pack up your entire house and move, especially with Christmas approaching. So, don’t be afraid to get help from family, friends, and movers.
If they have extra boxes lying around, ask if you can use them. You can also contact local businesses and ask if they have any spare boxes for you. At this time of year, retailers get many, frequent shipments, so you may be able to get all of your boxes for free!
5. Throw a packing party
When it comes time to pack, and especially if you’re getting help, set some guidelines to make both packing and unpacking easier and more straightforward.
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Label the boxes
When it comes to labeling each box, be as specific as possible so you know exactly what’s inside each and every box. If the box contains your summer tops, don’t just write “clothing.” instead, right “my summer tops”.
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Color code each room
Along with specific labels, decide on a color for each room (blue for the kitchen, green for the master bedroom, etc.). Then, purchase a pack of construction paper with all of your designated colors and tape that color onto the box’s side. This will help you quickly sort through the boxes once you arrive.
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Remember to eat!
While you’re busy packing, you’ll get hungry, but no one will have time to cook! So, now’s the perfect time for take-out and delivery. And who doesn’t like a good pizza party? If you’ve got a crockpot, don’t pack that until the very end – it’s a great tool to make satisfying and warming soups that everyone can have throughout the day.
6. Protect flooring
If you live in a snowy area, chances are you’ll track a lot of slush and salt in and out of your home while you move. To protect your flooring, lay cardboard down to make it more convenient with all the foot traffic.
7. Keep it festive
Usually, Christmas time is when you settle in and decorate your home. Now, you’re doing the exact opposite. Nonetheless, you can keep minimal decorations up, like candles, lights, and garlands.
Using an essential oil diffuser is a great way to add holiday warmth to your home, too. And don’t forget to keep Christmas music playing while you pack and prepare for moving day.
8. Is your new home ready for you?
Nothing is worse than arriving at your new house only to find that the utilities are off! A couple days before you arrive, make sure that the heating is on, and the water and lighting work!
And if there’s snow at your new home, contact plowing services to help clear your driveways, walkways, and sidewalks to make your move safe and convenient.
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9. You can celebrate Christmas on any day
There might be a lot of pressure to celebrate Christmas only on December 25th. But you can cut yourself some slack and celebrate this holiday when it’s best for you and your family. That might mean celebrating before you move. But for some, it’s just easier to postpone holiday festivities for when you arrive. Here’s why:
- Decorating your new home can make it feel like home, instead of empty and barren.
- Instead of opening gifts and then, having to move them to your new house, save everything in your Amazon wishlist and have it shipped to your new address. It will be fun to kickstart your new life with Christmas gifts. And besides, buying things after Christmas might mean better deals and offers. So, it’s a win-win!
- Checking out your new city or town’s Christmas scene is a nice way to look forward, rather than look back. It might be new and strange, but it can help make the holidays feel more festive and exciting.
Moving during Christmas time can be a hassle and stressful, but with some planning and help, you can transition from one home to the other without missing out on Christmas.
