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The holidays can bring plenty of joy and excitement. If you’re moving during the holidays, however, that joy and excitement can quickly turn to feelings of stress. After all, you have so much to do — holiday shopping, family get-togethers, and traveling to name a few. Throw packing for a move into the mix and it’s much to tackle.
Just like moving during the spring or summer, moving during the holidays can be done, though. To make your holiday move seamless, the experts at Moving Help® have put together this guide that covers the 10 most essential tips for moving during the holidays.
1. Start Planning Early
Any successful move starts with planning ahead. This is even more important if you’re moving during the holidays — a time known for busy schedules.
Start by creating a moving checklist with tasks like packing, cleaning, updating personal information, reserving moving equipment, etc. Then, make note of any holiday obligations and tasks. Split your time up between the two in a way that makes sense and mark it on a calendar so you can stay on schedule.
With a plan in place, you can take action. Book your moving truck and moving labor as soon as you can to ensure availability. Because of lower rates, winter can be a popular time to move.
2. Budget Accordingly
The holidays and moving aren’t known for being easy on the wallet. That’s why proper budgeting ahead of time is so critical. We may not be able to help you plan your Christmas shopping, but we can help you set up a budget for moving.
Here are a few tips for getting a price quote for your move:
- If you’re planning to rent a moving truck, you can quickly get a quote when you reserve a moving truck on UHaul.com. Don’t forget to account for mileage fees.
- Browse the Moving Help Marketplace for moving labor. All prices are upfront without hidden fees, so you know exactly what you’re paying (great for budgeting).
- Use the Moving Supplies Calculator on UHaul.com to get an idea of the moving supplies you need, and for what price.
Understanding how much your move is going to cost ahead of time will go a long way toward saving money during the holidays and avoiding overspending.
3. Declutter and Donate
The holiday season is all about spreading cheer. So, why not give back and make packing easier at the same time by donating your unused belongings? As you pack, consider which belongings you don’t need, and set them aside to donate.
Decluttering your home before moving is always a smart move, no matter the season. By doing so during the holiday season, however, you could potentially be helping a family in need and doing yourself a huge favor in the process.
4. Avoid Hosting
Are you thinking about hosting a huge holiday get-together? Think again. Hosting a holiday party can be fun, but you should prioritize preparing for the move. Tell family and friends as far in advance as possible that hosting at your home isn’t a possibility this year and offer to take over hosting duties next year after you’re settled in.
5. Keep Decorations to a Minimum
We don’t want to sound like a “Scrooge,” but you should refrain from going all out when it comes to decorating your home if you’re moving during the holidays. Instead, consider a more subtle approach — a few scented candles, holiday music, and some themed hand towels will do the trick, and you won’t have to spend as much time packing and storing your decorations.
6. Ask for Supplies for Christmas
Have any friends or family members asked you what you want for Christmas? Great! Take this opportunity to get something you truly need — moving supplies. It may not be the most “fun” Christmas gift, but it’ll help you save money and make your life easier.
Moving boxes, packing tape, bubble cushion wrap, and packing paper are holiday moving must-haves. You can even ask for a U-Haul gift certificate to help pay for your moving truck rental, Moving Helpers, or additional packing supplies.
If moving supplies aren’t in the cards — or you’re moving before Christmas — you can still take advantage of holiday specials, like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and hunt for deals.
7. Reuse Holiday Packaging
Another easy way to save money on moving supplies is to reuse the holiday packaging you already have. Delivery boxes from Amazon and other retailers make great moving boxes. Used wrapping paper can double as packing paper; crumble it up to fill the empty space in boxes.
Pro tip: If Santa brings any new appliances, electronics, or other large items to your home this year, keep the original boxes and use them for packing.
8. Prepare for Winter Weather
The holidays and inclement weather go hand in hand. While you can’t control the weather, you can have a plan for challenging weather conditions on moving day. Review our guide on moving in the bad weather for some tips.
Here are some highlights:
- Keep some hats, gloves, and smart shoes unpacked just in case.
- Be ready to salt the walkways in case of snow.
- Use moving pads or tarps to cover furniture and other belongings in heavy rain/snow.
- Keep hand warmers handy.
9. Send a Holiday Card
If you’ve never mailed a holiday card before, this is the perfect opportunity to do so. Not only will you spread holiday cheer with your friends and family, but you’ll also share your new address with them as well. Talk about a win-win.
10. Don’t Forget to Celebrate
As we’ve mentioned previously, getting ready for a big move during an already busy holiday season can feel overwhelming. Sometimes the best thing to alleviate stress is to give yourself time to relax and spend time with friends and family. So, be sure to enjoy the holiday season as best you can. Carve out time to celebrate, just don’t overlook your responsibilities.
Make Holiday Moving Easier With Moving Help
Moving during the holidays doesn’t have to put a damper on the entire season. By utilizing these tips, you can make time for a seamless transition and enjoy time with friends and family.
To make things even easier, consider booking labor-only movers from Moving Help. Our Service Providers can help pack, unpack, load, unload, and even clean — allowing you to spend time on more important matters.
