Moving is never easy, but moving during the holidays is quite special. Every task that you have to complete in order to have a positive moving experience gets at least ten times harder. However, there is no need to worry or lose a good night’s sleep. Relocating is possible even during the time of holidays. We have created a guide to help you prepare, plan and successfully move to your new home. So – keep on reading, and learn a bit more about moving during the busiest, but also the merriest time of the year!
Prepare yourself for a relocation
If you’re living in a colder state, for example, let’s say you’re moving from Alaska, then relocating in cold weather is probably nothing new for you. But, if you are not and you’re used to a warm climate with pleasant temperatures all year – you will need to think ahead of time. When you are planning on moving during the holidays, you need to prepare yourself. Think about every outcome at least twice before making a final decision. Maybe you should even ask yourself – do you absolutely need to move during the holiday season? If you do, continue reading!
When it comes to moving during the holiday, one thing is certain: make a moving checklist! Moving during the holidays can be a daunting task, but with the right planning and preparation, you can make the process as stress-free as possible. Get yourself a pen and a sheet of paper, and write down all the tasks you need to do. Having a list of tasks that you are handling one by one will help you stay in control. Also, the whole process of moving will be smoother and more understandable.
Things to consider adding to your moving checklist:
- Time – start in advance, optimally four to six months in advance, if possible.
- Budget – plan it to the tiniest detail.
- Moving strategy is a must-have. Consider hiring experienced and capable movers to make it easier on yourself.
- The weather is not on your side. Moving to a colder climate will require extensive preparation.
- Moving during the holidays can provoke accidents. Pay close attention to your environment.
- Inform everyone about your change of address. Contact postal services, friends, family, and whoever else it may concern.
- Pack smart. With adequate packing techniques, you can make moving during the holiday simpler.
- Research good schools. Find respectable schools for your kids to go to as soon as the holidays end.
Time is not your ally
Time is not your friend. And you can never have too much time on your hands when moving. Especially if you are moving during the holidays. But, the first thing you should consider is hiring movers and you should do it well on time. Having movers assist you during your relocation during the holidays will greatly help. They have years and years of experience under their belts, so they will know how to act in crucial and busy situations such as this one. This way, you will avoid bumping into any sudden major delays. Also, while hiring movers might be more pricy, you can expect to avoid any additional costs. When hiring professionals, you can rest assured that your move will go pleasantly.
However, keep in mind that it’s a holiday season for moving specialists as well. Make sure you find the ones that are open for business on the dates that work for you. Set a date, and start from there. Once you book a mover, everything else will get easier. You will get a timeframe and you can continue solving other tasks that need to be done before the move-out day.
Make a solid budget and stick to it
In order to make a good relocation strategy, you will need to plan your budget first. Put everything on a piece of paper and start calculating. Remember, moving during the holiday season is more expensive – so you will need to prepare more money for it. The bad thing is that this aspect can’t be changed. However, this shouldn’t foil your plans and ruin the holiday spirit. While tedious, making and calculating a moving budget isn’t that complicated. Just approach this problem with a clear mind (and a cup of coffee). Consider all your needs and requirements and rank them. The less important ones could be removed. Also, consider asking the moving company for specific services, such as piano moving. It will help you calculate your budget and you won’t have to worry about the piano at all.
The good thing is that you can cut some other expenses in order to save enough money for your relocation. How to do that? With proper planning ahead, of course. Don’t start packing in the past moment. Try to find cheap used packing supplies, or you could even get cardboard boxes for free. Also, pay attention to your utilities. Make sure to set up a cancelation date on your move-out day. This way, you won’t be paying for any unused utilities. There are many more tips to follow, but with enough planning, you can drastically lower your budget. This way, you and your wallet will be happy.
Creating a timetable should be a top priority
Plan your relocation, and then plan some more. You probably won’t have too much time on your hands. So, in order to make do with what you are given, create a timetable. And – make sure you do things according to your plan. Never postpone any of your tasks. Nothing good can come out of it, so make sure you avoid postponing tasks at all costs. Any delays, no matter how small they might seem, can lead to major problems down the road. Also, delaying your relocation can quickly lead to unexpected additional costs. This can drive up the overall sum of money needed for the move. Don’t let your unreadiness and laziness ruin both your relocation and your holidays.
Once you make a plan, you will have a much clearer picture of your relocation. You will know exactly what needs to be done, at what time, and how much it will cost you. And even if you think all that planning is taking too much of your time – you are wrong. You need to have a good strategy in order to move during the holidays successfully.
Don’t let the weather surprise you
When you are making your moving strategy, there is one thing that you should never forget. The weather. It can change everything drastically. The weather makes everything even more complicated, and every task gets harder and more dangerous. So, think about this aspect and how to avoid accidents. If you are, for example moving from Hawaii to Vermont, or from Florida to Minnesota, etc., the chances are you will be shocked by the temperature drop. We have said this many times, but having a plan can help you avoid making mistakes. Mistakes that can cost you money and energy or even hurt your health.
A good way to avoid having bad weather catch you unprepared is to hire movers. Experienced and capable ones, of course. They will know how to navigate cold and icy roads and increase the odds of your items reaching their target address untouched. Also, if you are planning to move some items that are susceptible to severe temperatures, movers have the solution. Lots of moving companies offer climate-controlled storage services. This way, you can have your items moved without them suffering any damage from the elements. Also, don’t forget to dress accordingly. Research what the temperatures and weather patterns will be a few days prior to your move. Your safety should always come first! With that being said, let’s talk about…
Don’t let accidents ruin the holidays
Accidents happen all the time and you need to take necessary precautions to avoid moving injuries. if you are moving during the holidays things tend to get a bit more complicated. Bad, cold weather and icy roads can cause many problems – and the only way to avoid damaging your belongings or even hurting yourself is by hiring professionals.
Moving can be exhausting, but it’s important to take breaks and enjoy the holiday season. Don’t work yourself out, only to be exhausted when the time to celebrate comes. Take time to participate in your favorite holiday traditions and spend time with your loved ones. Remember, the holidays only come once a year, so make the most of them! Don’t let yourself constantly thinking about the move. Things will work themselves out eventually. Spending time with your friends and family is well worth it.
Pack smart
If you are planning on moving during the holidays and celebrating them at the same time – you will need to relocate quickly. Start packing in advance in order to save some time. Start sorting, labeling, and packing as soon as possible. Save money by selling some of your stuff. This way, you will have fewer items to pack. Also, you will save up a few bucks, thus making the move with your planned budget likely. Whatever you don’t need, donate or sell. If you are moving to a place with a different climate, you can probably sell half of your wardrobe. Try setting up a garage sale, or selling them online. It might even be fun.
Also when you pack less, you unpack less. Decluttering and getting rid of excess items to move will simplify the process at every stage. Prepare a bag with essential items that you will need right after you move in order to continue celebrations right away. This will include:
- Basic tools, such as screwdrivers and small hammers
- All-purpose cleaner
- Paper towels and cleaning rags
- Small first aid kit
- Extension cords and power strips
- Scissors to open boxes
- Garbage bags
- And some snacks and water bottles
With an essential box in your hand, you won’t have to look into every single box in order to find one single item.
Shipping gifts might make your relocation easier
If you’re moving during the holidays, choosing gifts is probably on your mind. Well, it may be more convenient to ship your gifts to your new home. Otherwise, packing them in your moving boxes will take precious time and energy. Doing this will not only save you space but will also ensure that your gifts arrive safely and on time. Also, when you have fewer items to worry about, the whole relocation gets easier. Especially when it comes to stress and anxiety. If something bad was to happen to your items mid-transit, at least the gifts will remain untouched and safe.
Another good tip for moving during the holiday is to keep the holiday decorations separate from your other belongings. Label your boxes of decorations clearly, and make sure they are stored in a separate area from your other boxes. This will make it easier to find your decorations when you arrive at your new home, and it will also help you avoid any potential damage to your other belongings.
Moving during the holidays is achievable
As you can see – moving during the holidays is a bit harder, but it is still possible. If you prepare yourself in advance anything is possible. It is a miracle season – so hope for the best and good things will happen. In order to have a positive moving experience during the cold weather, we advise you to hire a reliable moving company. Moving specialists will know how exactly to handle every aspect of your relocation, and you can rest assured that everything will play out just as planned. Having the right partner for your relocation project is really half the job, so wait no more and research interstate moving companies reviews on our website! We are sure you will find a mover that meets all your standards.