Make Your Holiday Move Less Stressful | Mid-West Moving & Storage

Last Updated on December 18, 2018 by Kari-Ann Ryan

When one thinks about the holidays, they think of endless food, decorations, excitement, and maybe the cold every now and then. But one would never expect to have to move during that time. Whether you’re moving for work or bought your dream house for a steal, sometimes there’s just no way of getting around moving during the holidays.

Yes, it is for the better and is necessary, but that won’t make the holiday moving process any less painful. Things like packing up your holiday decorations, cookware, and even holiday gifts can take the holly jolly out of Christmas. But regardless of all the festivities taking place, relocation planning should be priority number one.

On the flip side, preparing ahead of time can ensure a seamless moving process, allowing you to get back to enjoying the holiday activities with friends and family. Here are some de-stressing tips for moving during the holidays.

1. Timing is Everything

While the holidays are certainly not considered “peak season” for moving companies, but you never know who else may be in your situation. Movers also have families and commitments to attend to as well. So if you’re planning on hiring a moving company, you’ll want to research and book the service as soon as possible.

As you can also imagine, moving costs will be much higher on the weekends and holidays themselves than during the week. But if you’re doing the move yourself, know that there will be holiday traffic as the streets are filled with last minute holiday shoppers and travelers. Although the busiest days will be Black Friday and the week before Christmas. It would be most recommended to move, before, after, or in between these times.

2. Budget

In addition to shopping for presents, groceries, decorations, and even just bills during the holidays, tacking on moving costs can quickly break the bank if you don’t set a budget. So extra moving costs like packing, boxes, and furniture assembly may not be the best idea if funds are tight.

But there are money-saving tips you can use in order to save a few holiday dollars, such as moving during the week instead of on a weekend.

3. Pack Strategically

If you’re all about the decorations, the packing process will be the most difficult. But to make things as smooth as possible, keep all of your Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holiday decorations separate from other household items.

If you ask the movers to put them in your living room, you can start decorating right after the move. Of course, all of it doesn’t have to get done right away, but hanging a wreath on your new front door is a great way to show your new neighbors that you’re festive.

4. Donate Unwanted Items

Separating items to be donated isn’t the most fun thing to do during the holidays, but they will definitely take the stress out of moving when you have less things to move. In addition, you’ll be helping multiple charities such as The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and Goodwill.

Saving receipts when donating can also save additional dollars during tax season – something that will surely help during holiday shopping!

5. Check the Weather

While you can’t control the weather on moving day, preparing ahead of time will make the move much less stressful. Be sure to have something to wear (boots, hat, and gloves) as well as to check the driving conditions for all major roads and highways.

Consider salting the driveways, sidewalks, and other walkways of both your old and new home to prevent any injuries. Finally, never forget to turn on the heat and electricity in your new home by the time you move in.

6. Address Any Family Concerns

Especially if you have kids, the moving process can add a lot of extra stress on the family. Make sure that you are prepared to help them adjust to their new school and transfer important documents and school records.

Important documents to be transferred would include:

Transcripts
Report cards
Immunization records
Academic records
Allergic information
Doctor’s notes

Keep in mind that many schools do have holiday vacation between Christmas Eve and New Years. Their semesters also end during this time so it may be easier to transfer in between or at the end of semester-long classes.

7. Stay Safe

Surprisingly, burglaries and home invasions are the most common during the holidays. On average 400,000 burglaries occur in the U.S. between November and December, according to the FBI.

The best way to prevent this from happening is to set up a security system either before or after moving in. Call the provider about 2 weeks before your move to schedule a date and time to install the system in your new home.

Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Holidays!

While a move can easily take up the majority of your time during the holidays, they do only come once a year and you still have every opportunity to shop, decorate, and wrap presents. Don’t become lost in the stress of packing, lifting, and driving; make sure to take plenty of breaks, enjoy a glass of eggnog, and spend time with family and friends. After all, it is the most wonderful time of the year!

Work with a Reliable Mover

When searching for a moving company, be sure to research their credentials, experience, and online reviews. An established moving company will have a good reputation and will be dependable for your hectic holiday move.

If you live in the Chicago Metropolitan area, Mid-West Moving & Storage is available to provide all the services you may need to make your move a smooth one. Everything from planning and packing to furniture assembly and move management. They are also able to move locally, long distance, and even internationally, providing you with a detailed estimate of each service included.