Moving during the holidays is certainly hectic, but you can save money and keep your sanity by taking steps such as:
- Accepting it’s going to be a different kind of holiday season
- Planning and timing the move correctly
- Packing Christmas decorations separately
- Getting supplies and starting to pack early
- Donating stuff you don’t need to charity
It might seem crazy to even try to move during the holiday. But in some cases, it’s the right thing to do. Reasons include a house closing happening over the holidays, having extended time off work, moving to start a new job in the New Year, or having to move while the kids are on winter break.
Whatever the case, moving during the holidays does not have to become a disaster. You can handle both the move and the holidays if you plan it correctly.
Should You Move During the Holidays?
The clear con to moving during the holidays is that they are the holidays! However, there are many pros, as well. Most people have plenty of time off from work. The kids are out of school. And while moving companies are often busy during the holidays, they typically can more easily accommodate you for the time you want to move.
That said, these tips can make moving during the holidays much easier:
Accept It’s Going to be Different
This is the first, and perhaps most important, step. If you have kids, it’s important to set expectations that this Christmas is going to be a bit different than previous years. Even without kids, you likely need to set those expectations with family and friends. Because you are wrapped up in the move, it’s possible that certain holiday traditions might not get observed. Don’t try to do what you usually do while also orchestrating a move. One underrated pro about moving over the holidays is that you will likely feel a lot less stress about the holidays – if you can let go expectations of a “normal” holiday time.
Plan and Time Your Holiday Move
Obviously, you aren’t going to move Christmas Day. Both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are among the busiest travel days of the year, so you might want to avoid those, as well. In terms of traffic, the week and (especially) the Saturday before Christmas are the busiest for shoppers. The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is a popular choice for those moving over the holidays, or two weeks before Christmas if you can start your holiday early.
Packing Christmas Decorations Separately
You don’t want to completely skip the usual holiday cheer, especially if you have decorations you use every year. If you move before Christmas, make sure to pack all the decorations in a separate box and have the movers place it somewhere you can easily get to it. That way, you can quickly put up at least some of the Christmas decorations at your new home.
Get Supplies and Start Packing Early
Black Friday sales are a good time to pick up packing supplies you will need for your move in advance (although professional movers will offer supplies as part of their comprehensive moving services).
As for packing early, that’s important for all moves, but none more so than during the holidays. Because you will likely need time for at least some semblance of a holiday celebration during the holiday break, you will need to make sure everything is ready for the move when the time comes. Just make sure to follow smart steps to pack for your upcoming move.
Donate Your Belongings
Giving away items is always a smart move when packing up a house, but it takes on added significance during the holiday season when so many are in need. While you might keep gifts to a minimum with your family, now is a great time to donate more than ever before as you move into a new home.
Keeping these tips in mind can make moving during the holidays more enjoyable. As with all moves, planning – and partnering with a qualified professional moving company – can make a move go smoothly.
