Given the time-consuming nature of moving, it does make sense to take some time off for work or school in order to get it done. However, some people don’t always have that luxury and may only be able to schedule their relocation during the holiday season. The extended break from work and school seems conducive to a relatively stress-free moving experience. Moreover, the appeal of starting the new year in a new place is something too good to pass up for some people.
While the holidays aren’t exactly peak moving season, it still comes with its own set of challenges. Moreover, you still need to plan ahead for the big move to retain your sanity and ensure the safety of your family and belongings. Here are the things you need to consider to make your holiday move as hassle-free as possible:
- Book everything ahead of time. Since less people will be working over the holiday season, it might be hard to find movers and storage units that are available on short notice. You should consider hiring moving and storage services in advance so your needs can still be accommodated and arrangements can be prepared for you. After all, moving is stressful enough. Do yourself a favor and have the foresight to schedule things as soon as you can.
- Prepare for any weather-related challenges. Moving during the holidays means that you’ll be packing all your belongings and transporting them during the fall or winter months. Since temperatures and weather conditions can be unpredictable during this time, it’s best to be ready for it. If you happen to be relocating someplace where the cold can get frigid in the winter, you might have to deal with blizzards and ice on the roads on your way there. It might be good to stock up on winter essentials like salt, waterproof bins, and shovels.Additionally, you need to make sure you and your family are bundled up on moving day. That way, loading the moving truck and surviving the drive to your new home can be bearable. Don’t forget to arrange for the heating and electricity at your new place to be switched on by the time you arrive too. You can ask the landlord or electrician to do this for you.
- Donate and declutter. When packing up your home in preparation for the move, you’ll always end up with items that aren’t worth keeping. One benefit of moving during the holidays is that there are a lot of places that accept donations around you. You and your family can easily pack everything in a few boxes and you can simply drop them off at a local church, agency, or mall. Not only will you get to downsize and bring less with you to your new home, but your stuff will go to families who will actually use it.
- Increase home security. Break-ins and theft tend to increase during the holiday season. A fully furnished home with no one in it may be an invitation that no burglar can pass up during this time. If you’ve already managed to transport some or all of your belongings to the new house and have yet to move with your family, make sure you have a security system installed at the new property. It’s fairly easy to schedule that with your security provider and have them do it even if you’re not there.However, if your new home already has a security system you might still need to reprogram or update it to help deter criminals. There’s nothing worse than moving into an empty house for the holidays.
- Be there for your family. If you have school-aged children, moving during the holidays may be more difficult for them. This is especially true if you have to pull them out of school in the middle of the school year and have them start at a new school right after the holidays. Your little ones may not be feeling the holiday spirit this year, but it’s important that you help them through the transition as a parent.
Moving during the holidays can be a hectic and stressful affair. Fortunately, you can pull it off with careful planning and early scheduling. If you’re planning to celebrate the holidays or welcome the new year in your new home, we hope these tips were helpful.