Preparing for your Post-Holiday Move

The holidays are a time filled with warmth, friends, and family. There isn’t anything better than spending time enjoying beloved traditions and meals with those you love. If this will be your final holiday season in your current house, you are almost certainly feeling bittersweet. Every moving company will share the same story – moving can be a huge adjustment. But if you are moving soon after the holidays are finished, the season of giving can quickly transform into a season of stress! Luckily, prepping for the holidays and your soon-to-be move can be a cinch if you take some time to prepare properly.

Get Organized

Getting organized now will save you a ton of time and stress once your moving company gets to your house! Here are some tips to keep you organized and on track this holiday season:

• Print off a calendar that will be used for only moving related tasks. Highlight your move day. Counting backwards from that day, create a rough outline of all major tasks and what you need to pack. Having a timeline helps give you a sense of accomplishment and keep you from getting lost in the flurry of activities in December.
• If you’re ending up with lots of boxes from packages and online shopping, keep them! Use them to pack your items. If your packages come with bubble wrap, peanuts, noodles, paper or other padding, save them! These materials will give more support and protection for your fragile décor pieces.
• Gather plenty of boxes, tape, markers, etc. When you have all your supplies handy and kept together will allow you to be ready at a moment’s notice if you have the inspiration to pack something!

Decorations

Opening that dusty box and seeing sentimental decorations for the first time in almost a year is an exhilarating feeling. The holidays are officially here! Unpacking our favorite ornaments, keepsakes or decorations fill us with nostalgia and excitement for the season. But as you’re starting to decorate, now is the time to think about how you’ll be taking it all down. Not to overlook the festivities of the holiday season, but you will want to get prepared more than in previous years to repack your decorations. Your fragile ornaments, snow globes, and keepsakes are likely kept in sturdy storage boxes that sit in your basement or garage. But are they safe for your move? Don’t make extra work for yourself when the season ends. Having a plan in place for how you will put away and then pack your décor will save you time and trouble when preparing for your move. Here are some general tips:

• Have packing supplies ready when taking down your Christmas tree. Carefully wrap your ornaments and fragile décor with tissue paper or unprinted newsprint before placing them into a dish pack.
• Garlands and wreaths pack great into wardrobe boxes!
• Menorahs and kinaras should be carefully wrapped with tissue paper or newsprint, and then put in a book carton, or inside of a dish pack with similar pieces of décor.
• Wardrobe boxes work well to pack artificial Christmas trees. Stack two on top of each other for taller trees!

Holiday Meals

While your family drifts off in tryptophan bliss, use this time to wash and pack any seasonal dishes and tableware. If you have holiday cutlery, casserole dishes, or sets of china, immediately packing them after washing is a great timesaver. Because those items are used only once a year, just pack them properly for moving right away!

Gifts

There are several things to think about when considering any new gift purchases. If you’re moving just after the holidays, you’ve probably already had your moving company give you an estimate, which could be time or weight based depending on your move. If you have gotten or given any bigger gifts that could impact your estimate, make sure you get in touch with your moving company asap. There may be extra special disassembly, services, or costs for increased/decreased weight/time than your initial quote. Some common gifts that require extra care are:

• Stationary bikes and treadmills – especially those with video screens, these are popular holiday gifts! Keep in mind, due to their size and servicing required to secure the electronic components, you will have to contact your moving company if you added one of these!
• Game tables – pool tables, poker tables, and ping-pong tables might add weight and time to your move. If you get a slate pool table, it will necessitate special service prior to being moved. It will also need refelting after the move.
• Lithium batteries- cameras, hover boards, and power tools tend to use lithium batteries these days. Though moving companies can usually move these batteries without issues, you’ll want to make sure the battery is item and charger properly. Lithium batteries can’t be packed into an air shipment, if you’re moving internationally.

Bonus tip: If you have access to your new home before the holidays, you could consider having family and friends ship your gifts to your new place. This will prevent your moving company from needing to handle them, eliminating the need to update your estimate. 

Get nostalgic

As long as your current home is still warmly decorated, make sure to enjoy festive treats, all your favorite holiday traditions, and don’t forget to take pictures. You will be happy you’ve preserved these photos and memories to remember for years to come. Having a farewell holiday party can also be a wonderful send-off. Make sure to invite neighbors and loved ones you will not see as much after you move for one final holiday celebration.

Contact Corrigan

As a family-owned and operated moving company, we know a thing or two about moving during the holidays! We pride ourselves on having the most compassionate and knowledgeable employees in the industry. Don’t let yourself get stressed out this season and miss out on enjoyment and magic of your final holiday in your current home.

Our professional relocation experts are standing by to help you navigate the season ahead. Contact us now to schedule your free, no-obligation, in-home or virtual moving estimate today!