Moving near a major holiday can be difficult to avoid. Particularly if you’re accustomed to that hosts family and friends for dinner, there is no cause to alter your plans just because you have moved. With a bit of planning ahead, organization and out of the box thinking, your first Thanksgiving in your new place will be one to remember. There is no better way to show off your new place to your loved ones than by hosting a festive feast!
Depending on your move plans, you may have weeks to unpack and get settled in your new home and prepare for Thanksgiving. But usually, your regular Thanksgiving plans will have to be changed to accommodate your move. Don’t get stuck with unforeseen turkey day troubles. Plan, adapt, and get ready to make some new memories in your new home!
Before your local moving company or long-distance movers drop off your items into your new place, you should already have a plan in place to create a perfect Thanksgiving for you and your family. Before you start packing at your old home, you’ll need to make a list of your holiday essentials. Whether you have an heirloom set of china, grandma’s sweet potato recipe, or your table centerpiece, make sure you plan out the event from start to finish, and make a list of all the items you traditionally use.
Once you have an idea of what you’ll need for the event, now you can begin to pack. If you are using your local moving company or long-distance mover to pack for you, share your list with the crew. The movers can ensure these essentials are packed together and appropriately labeled. Labeling with “Thanksgiving- cookware” or “Thanksgiving- recipes and decorations”, will make unpacking much easier in your new home. Everything you’ll need for your event will be together and easy to find. Alternatively, take pictures of your holiday recipes, just in case you don’t have an opportunity to unpack your favorite cookbook!
If you can unpack completely before your guests get to town, that is always the most desirable situation. Especially if you are planning to houseguests staying for several days, prioritizing unpacking important items and getting guest rooms set up should take priority.
If you are limited in time and guests are arriving soon, then it’s time to prioritize! Main areas of the home should be set up, such as living rooms, kitchen and bathrooms. You can always arrange home offices, garages and outdoors spaces later. Your guests will understand if your whole house is not ready for a house tour yet!
You no doubt have your Thanksgiving dinner preparation down to a science! But, if you aren’t unpacked completely or settled into your new place, it may be time to think about other plans. Finding options to make you move-in process and meal prep easier while still hosting a meal that’s a hit is easier than it might seem.
The answer to all successful moves is communication. Relocating near the holidays is no exception! When you get to your new place, you probably already have created a plan with your local moving company or long-distance movers. Instruct the movers to put any boxes labeled “Thanksgiving” in a centralized place in the house, to make your unpacking and setup work much easier.
If you need to alter your cooking plans to match your relocation situation, there are a few simple and inexpensive options to consider.
Grocery Store Boxes– Many grocery stores offer Thanksgiving meals in a box, complete with a turkey and all the fixin’s all cooked and ready. This is a wonderful option because these items will come in their own serving trays and ready to eat.
Meal Kits and Delivery Services- There are so many boxed meal companies these days, and many will curate a Thanksgiving box. These companies will ship your main dish and sides directly to your house, complete with everything you need and instructions to cook each dish.
Slow Cooker– Are you aware that you can cook a ham in a slow cooker? Leveraging smaller appliances frees up your range, saving time and effort. This leaves you more time to focus on what is really important, your family and friends!
Leftovers- You likely haven’t unpacked any of your food storage containers, so how will your guests to be able to take home any leftovers? Disposable muffin tins! These are cheap, and a wonderful way to let each guest leave with the right size of every side and main dish.
Some of the joy of moving to a new house is getting to meet your new neighbors. Seeing as the opportunity has already presented itself, asking your new neighbors if they’ll let you borrow things you have not unpacked yet might be a good solution. Asking for a casserole dish, folding chairs or wine glasses can save you from unpacking. Earn some bonus points with your neighbors by bringing some of your food or a slice of pie when you return the borrowed items!
If moving to a new town or area for your, be certain to chat and get to know your long-distance mover. The team members helping the driver with delivery will be familiar with your new location. They can definitely direct you to local thrift and grocery stores and many other locations to find your holiday essentials!
Because we are a family owned and operated local moving company and long-distance movers, Corrigan knows family is important. When you hire Corrigan as your local moving company, it probably means your family and friends are still close, easing the transition to your new home. That said, we also understand that long-distance movers may feel like the closest feeling to family you may have right now. We treat all of our customers like family, and we’ll go above and beyond to make sure you have a simple, stress-free move. No matter your situation, you can count on Corrigan Moving Systems to keep your holiday season warm with amazing service!
