We’re here to make moving during the most wonderful time of the year, well, wonderful! Moving during the holiday season is often seen as less than ideal and more stressful, but it definitely does not need to be. There are some ways to set yourself up for success and have a smooth move during the holidays. We have learned a thing or two over our years in the moving business that will help you stay organized and on top of your move. Here are our team’s top six tips to help make your holiday move as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Tip #1: Start Packing Early
As with any move, your moving date will approach sooner than you think. This is especially true around the holidays as people are often busy buying gifts, making delicious seasonal food, and celebrating with loved ones. Assess how much time you have before your move and work backwards from there. We recommend always giving yourself at least three to four weeks for leisurely packing depending on how many belonging you have and how many items you want to bring with you. Go room by room to pack all the non-essentials first and store the boxes in a safe space. Rushing will only add more stress to the busy holiday season so give yourself plenty of time. Remember that you can also always skip the packing stage by hiring Deluxe to do it all for you!
Tip #2: Decorate Less
This one may make us sound like a bunch of Scrooges, but it will really help come moving day. There are tons of ways you can still decorate your home without going overboard. Cut back on how many Christmas trees you put up before moving, decorate it with fewer ornaments, choose one of your favourite table or stair garlands to put up, don’t go as hard on the outdoor lights, and any other holiday decoration cutbacks you can make while still feeling festive. This season will be all about how less is more for your home because you will have to quickly pack these items away and transport them come moving day. Depending on how close your moving date is to your family’s holiday, decide if you want to decorate your current or new home. It may be easier to just decorate one home, so you don’t have to unpack, decorate, pack, move, unpack, decorate, and pack. Remember that the more you can pack now, the easier the moving process will be.
Tips #3: Donate Unwanted Items
We are always encouraging our homeowners to declutter as often as possible, but this is especially true during the holiday season. This is the perfect time to spread holiday cheer and goodwill to others in need. Consider donating your gently used items like warm clothes and toys to your local shelters, donation drives, or charities. This allows you to get rid of items you no longer need to pack, while also helping your community during the holiday season.
Tip #4: Change Your Address
One advantage of holiday moving is being able to kill two birds with one stone with your holiday cards. We recommend adding your change of address announcements on these cards to alert friends and family about your move. Make sure you also inform all necessary businesses and government agencies of your address change as soon as possible. We recommend making a checklist of everyone you need to change your address with and starting the process early. Contacting your bank, healthcare providers, creditors, cable providers, schools, subscription, and government services (i.e. mail services, health card, driver’s license, CPP, etc.) ahead of time will save you loads of work down the line. Remember to double-check each business’ seasonal hours because they may be different than their normal hours.
Tip # 5: Enjoy the Holidays
Don’t let the stress of moving take away from your family’s holiday celebrations. Make sure you continue to do as many traditions as possible (at least the ones that are COVID-19 safe). You should prioritize the traditions unique to your current neighbourhood before you move to your new location. We suggest jotting down all your holiday plans on a calendar so that you don’t miss out on them. This calendar should include actual holiday events and family traditions, as well as any random fun things you want to do like baking, watching holiday movies, enjoying some hot chocolate or other festive drinks, and walking around your neighbourhood to catch all the outdoor light displays. Prioritizing all of these activities is key to making sure you get to enjoy the holidays and not become too overwhelmed with moving.
Tip #6: Give Yourself the Gift of a Moving Company
The best gift you can give yourself and your family this holiday season is to hire Deluxe Moving & Storage for your move! We can take care of everything for you including packing, moving, and unpacking so you can enjoy time with your family. You will save yourself valuable time and effort that you can use to be with your loved ones this holiday season. This is especially the case when it comes to packing and unpacking – don’t let these tasks hang over your head and ruin your holiday cheer. Take a load off your shoulders by trusting our team of moving experts to get the job done for you during these busy months – leave all the work to us so you don’t have to lift a thing!
—
We hope this list helps you feel prepared for your move during the holiday season! Believe us when we say that it is more than possible if you follow our advice and stay on top of everything.
Want more moving tips and advice? Never hesitate to contact our team with any questions you might have about the moving process. Whether you’re moving across the street or to a brand new city, choosing Deluxe Moving & Storage for your next move is the best thing you can do to ensure a safe and healthy moving experience for you and your loved ones. Learn more about our moving services and packing services and don’t forget to fill out our FREE, no-obligation quote form. We can help make your move easier and safer, leave the work to us!