Are you thinking about moving during the holidays? Then you should know that the relocation to your new home will be slightly different than it would be if you were doing it at some other time of the year. The holiday season tends to get pretty hectic for all of us, so you’ll have to approach your relocation strategically. Here are some tips to guide you through the entire process.
You can relocate whenever you want
Why Moving During the Holidays Is a Good Idea
At first glance, planning to move to a new home during the holidays might seem like a bad idea that can cause relocation anxiety and even relocation depression. There are family gatherings to be planned, dinners to be prepared, gifts to be bought. Who’d want to deal with reasons to move, relocation process, and movers on top of it all?
However, a holiday move definitely has its advantages. So in case you just managed to find a job before moving to another state, don’t be hesitant about the move. Since most people avoid relocating to the suburbs, or anywhere, during this period, movers usually lower their prices and this becomes one of the cheapest ways to move out of state and a great chance to reduce the costs of moving. This means that you’ll end up paying less for moving and packing services from your chosen movers than you would at some other months, which is why this could be the best time of the year to move.
The Challenges of a Holiday Season Move
While it comes at a lower price and it is the cheapest time of the year to relocate, a holiday move definitely has its disadvantages and challenges you’ll have to prepare yourself for.
You’ll Be Moving Instead of Celebrating
While your family and friends are celebrating together at home, you will be buried in piles of boxes and bubble wrap. Depending on how you organize your relocation, you might even end up not being able to attend any of your traditional family events and spend important dates surrounded by movers.
It Will Be Harder to Get Help
Are you moving alone to another state and counting on some help from your family members or friends? That might prove to be a little harder than you’re expecting. Everyone will be busy organizing get-togethers and buying presents and they might not be able to help you out. So be prepared to do it all on your own or with the help of reliable and recommended movers.
No Chance to Rest
Aside from seeing all of your extended family and allowing yourself to enjoy great amounts of delicious deserts, most people look forward to the holiday season for the simple fact that they will finally get a few days off from work. However, if you’re planning to move to a new home during this period, you will hardly have any free days to recharge your batteries and get ready to work again.
Now that we’ve gone through some of the major pros and cons of a holiday season move, let’s take a look at a couple of useful tips to help you overcome this hurdle.
You won't have the time to rest when relocating
Begin to Pack on Time
As soon as you decide where you’re relocating, start checking the safety of your future neighborhood, planning the house-hunting, and packing process. It is never too early to dive into the preparations for the relocation, even when moving into a smaller home. If you start early enough, you won’t have to rush through it and you will allow yourself enough time to make some of the common moving mistakes and learn from your errors. On top of that, if everything goes according to plan, you could even allow yourself some downtime so you could spend important dates with your family and friends.
Organize Your Belongings into Categories
The best way to keep your packing organized is by dividing all your belongings into categories. The first thing you should do is set aside the items you’re not planning on taking with you. This is especially important if you are moving in together with your partner because you will want to avoid cluttering your new place. Get rid of them by selling, donating, or throwing them out this will eventually lower your moving expenses. As for the rest of your home, there are several ways in which you can divide everything:
- By type of item. This is, probably, the easiest way to separate your belongings. Simply organize your belongings into categories such as clothes, shoes, electronics, jewelry, linen, furniture, toiletries, glassware, pots and pans, unwanted items to donate, and so on.
- By order. This one requires a little more work, but it will make packing easier. You will first want to pack the things you rarely or never use, such as decorations, clothes for special occasions, and so on. Slowly work your way towards the things you need more often.
- By room. Finally, you may find it easier to simply pack one room in your home after another. However, this can turn out to be a little tricky, as you might end up needing something you’ve already packed.
Whichever technique you choose, keep in mind that the most important thing is to stay organized and keep track of all your objects. If you’re planning to get insurance for your valuables, consider making a photo inventory for them.
Keep All Documents in One Place
Keeping all your paperwork in one binder is generally a good idea as it minimizes the chances of anything getting lost. However, it is especially important if you’re relocating during the holiday season. You might not be able to obtain copies of anything you lose as quickly, as most companies will be closed for a few days.
A Few Extra Moving-Related Tips
Although we’ve covered the most important things about relocating during the holidays, we always have a few extra packing tips and tricks to share:
- Don’t cheap out on supplies. Unless you’re moving on a tight budget, don’t go for cheap or used boxes and various other supplies. You need new and sturdy materials that can hold a lot of weight.
- Label your boxes. Once you’re done filling and sealing a box, write down its contents on at least three different sides. And of course, if the contents are fragile, make sure to clearly label that as well. This will make the unpacking process much easier.
- Big box – light weight. As a rule of thumb, heavier items should go into small boxes, while lighter objects can be placed in larger ones.
- Take care of yourself. If you sense that you’re getting too stressed or tired, don’t hesitate to take a break. Go for a walk, drink some water, take a nap, or start a new book. It is important to manage your moving stress levels well.
All That’s Left Is To Call a Professional Cross Country Moving Company
With these tips in mind, all you have to do is contact a reliable moving company to relocate your belongings to a new home and provide auto transport and storage space if necessary. If you’re thinking about transporting your car across the country, be sure to check first how does car shipping works. If you are unsure whether the mover you are considering is reputable and professional, explore the reviews section on their website.
