Moving may be stressful any time of the year, but it’s especially challenging during the holidays. It’s still possible for your relocation to happen without a glitch (if not completely stress-free). Moving during the holidays? Here’s how to survive the stress. With the help of our advice, you can be ready to move into your new house and take full advantage of the Christmas season.
Early Planning Helps Survive the Stress During the Holiday Move
It may be challenging to stick to a budget around the holidays with all the travel and gift-buying costs. You’ll likely need to consider cutting your budget when you include all the moving-related costs (including those for movers and boxes).
During the Christmas move, you can do a few things to save money. First, see if you can relocate during the middle of the week. Holiday weekends should also be avoided as moving firms are sometimes understaffed at these times.
Last but not least, start planning your budget far in advance. Relying on credit cards might be unpleasant to start the new year, so try to avoid doing so. Instead, try to set aside a specific sum each week in the weeks before the move.
Make a List and Pack Wisely
In the weeks leading up to the holidays, packing will be the last thing you want to do. You should try to plan everything at least one month in advance of your move. Although it may be tempting to put off packing, prepare a list and set a goal to pack one room every week. In this way, the relocation will seem less overwhelming—especially if you also want to spend the holidays with family and friends.
If you’re all about the holidays in general, the thought of a house that isn’t adorned for the holidays might be gloomy. If you have young children, you might want to preserve a few decorations in their bedroom, be it at least Christmas stockings. It’s smart to keep a sizable box aside for your holiday decorations so you can quickly unpack them when you get there.
Moving During the Holidays? Donate Extra Things as a Christmas Gift
Getting rid of the clutter you’ve had lying around the house for years is a big part of relocating. Along with devices and furnishings you no longer use, you can also discover items like toys and clothing that your family has outgrown. Another benefit of decluttering is that you relieve yourself of additional stress during your holiday move.
Fortunately, there are numerous organizations like Goodwill that will pick up your donated items at no cost to you. This is not only a fitting way to start the holiday season, but if you keep your receipts, you can deduct your donations when it comes time to file your taxes.
Pack and Label Your Christmas Décor Individually
Make careful to pack your Christmas décor and decorations individually when relocating soon before or during the holiday season. When you get to your new house, ask your residential movers to put the clearly labeled boxes in the living room. This way, when you get to your new house, you can immediately unpack and display your Christmas decorations! If you have more Christmas decorations than you can keep in your new home, you should make sure to find the right place to store holiday decorations after moving.
Moving During the Holidays? Check the Weather
It goes without saying that you have no control over the weather during your holiday move. You must be ready for chilly (often freezing) weather if you’re moving to or from the Midwest or Northeast.
The Christmas season may bring difficult weather conditions, such as white-out blizzards and ice highways. There are a few methods to plan for the weather, though, so you won’t get caught off guard and have to deal with last-minute weather problems:
- Stock up on winter-appropriate clothing and appropriate relocation equipment to prepare for the worst weather scenarios. It’s a good idea to have salt, shovels, gloves, caps, and boots if needed, too.
- Use as many watertight plastic containers as you can when you’re packing. Be extra careful while walking on slick sidewalks and stairs.
- Don’t forget to check that your new home’s heat and electricity are turned on before you get there.
Don’t Forget to Secure Your Home During the Move
Unfortunately, burglaries and home robberies tend to rise over the holidays. Before you move in, make sure to set up your security system to protect your new house. In order for them to install your system and make sure it is functional before the moving day, you will need to make this arrangement with your security system provider a few weeks prior to your relocation.
Make Fun an Integral Part of the Holiday Move
Find the opportunity to slip in some pleasure no matter the time of year or the stress of the holiday move. Inform the children that Santa will still be able to locate them. After exhausting days spent packing and relocating, take some time to unwind and enjoy a family supper.
Ask your visitors to bring certain meals or sides if you’re stuck hosting this year to reduce your workload. A large portion of your Christmas feast can also be ordered from bakeries, restaurants, and other local businesses. Many hotels provide a sit-down Christmas lunch and supper throughout the holidays, which might relieve the stress if your appliances and cooking supplies are among the dozens of tightly packed boxes.
Send Christmas Cards with Your New Address
Include your update We’ve relocated! statement and new address on your Christmas cards to save the headache of placing two orders of cards this season. Sending out twice as many Christmas mails may save you time, and money, and eliminate headaches.
Final words on how to survive the stress during a holiday move
Even if moving during the holidays isn’t ideal, it’s wonderful to know you’ll be in your new house as the new year starts. Moving around the holidays won’t be as difficult as it appears with advance planning and preparation. We hope that our little guide on moving during the holidays will help you survive the stress and enjoy the festive season. Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year!