Moving house can be stressful at any time of year, but even more so when there’s a lot going on, including during the festive season.
Once you throw in the additional stress of sorting out Christmas presents and decorating your home, it can start to get overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be! Our experts have put together a list of our top tips to a smooth Christmas move.
Preparation and organisation is key
Being prepared in any situation is always a bonus, but definitely when it comes to moving house over a busy period. Being prepared and organised will really help you to reduce those stress levels, as you will be able to continue to get on with everything else that life throws at you, knowing that things are still under control for your big move.
Once your move gets closer, it’s best to break down the process into smaller, more manageable chunks to make it less mind-boggling. Anything that can be done in advance, do it! Some examples of things to prepare include:
- Get your packing materials ready – sturdy boxes, recycled paper to protect breakables, tape, scissors, labels, pens
- Have a pre-move sort out and donate or get rid of anything you don’t need to take with you to the new house
- Make a list (or a few) so that you can tick things off as you go. We’d recommend making several smaller lists, splitting large tasks into something more manageable
Contact your removals firm
Booking your removals firm is definitely on the top of the to-do list once you exchange contracts and have an idea of when you’ll be moving – make sure to book in as soon as you can to avoid the risk of them being unavailable.
Some removals firms (including ourselves) also provide packing services to help take the stress out of your move. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or worried that you’ve not got enough time, let us take the hassle out of your hands and help out.
Get your Christmas shopping done early
If you’re more of a last-minute Christmas shopper, we’d recommend breaking those habits just this once if you’re moving house too!
By getting your Christmas shopping done (and if possible, given out too), you’ll have one less thing to worry about when moving day comes around. Plus, you won’t have to bother with transporting the bags of presents either, reducing the risk of any present losses or breakages.
And if you’re worried about where to store all the presents – self-storage is an affordable and straightforward solution that’ll also stop prying eyes from spotting what’s in Santa’s sleigh.
Ignore the weather forecasts
While weather forecasting is a lot more reliable than it once was, it’s still not completely spot on and is subject to change – even up until the day itself.
That being said, it’s really not worth stressing too much about it until you get considerably closer to the day. Make sure that you’re prepared for the absolute worst, and then anything better will be a bonus.
Stock up on protective sheets and towels to keep the flooring protected in your new home, and have a decent amount of salt and grit on hand in case it’s icy. Remember not to pack away your thick coats, weatherproof clothing and sensible footwear, just in case you need them on the day.
Don’t forget the admin side
Christmas is an expensive time of year as it is, and with the added cost of moving house to contend with, it’s important to keep up to date with bills to prevent any nasty surprises coming your way.
Make sure to stay on top of all of your bills if you don’t pay them by direct debit to avoid being penalised for late payments.
Don’t forget to change your address with business and inform friends and family too, as you’ll likely be receiving more mail this time of year in the form of Christmas cards and gifts. Let everyone know your address in advance, as well as the actual date you’re moving, so they know where to send things and when.
Sorry to be a Grinch, but…
It’s an unfortunate fact that actual completion dates are by no means set in stone, so even if everyone insists “Oh yes, you’ll be in by Christmas”, there might be complications that get in the way.
You’ll have had your heart set on having Christmas in your new home, but if it’s not to be, it’s not to be. Try to focus on the positives (if there are any) – at least you can have one more Christmas in your old home?
Last but not least, try to enjoy the festivities!
We know that you’ll have had a busy Christmas, whether the move has taken place or not before the big day, but try to enjoy it through the chaos of unpacked boxes.
Try to put up a few of your decorations and enjoy this special time of year with family and friends. Getting into the Christmas spirit will help you feel more at home – trust us, those last boxes can wait a few more days (or weeks) and you probably deserve a break.
As always, if you need any help or advice at any stage of your move, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team.