Moving During the Holidays

October 8, 2019 / Posted in How-to
Eva Johnson

Digital nomad born in New York but currently living online, Eva knows everything there is to know about packing and moving.

Generally, moving during the holidays is difficult to organize. Even though you have enough time to pack and relocate everything, you’ll face enormous traffic jams, bad weather conditions, and a bunch of nervous people. Here’s how to navigate this holiday craze. 

girl drinking coffee from a holiday mug
If you’re moving during Christmas or some other holiday, you'll need to do plenty of planning

Pick the Right Time for Moving During the Holidays

Most Americans move somewhere between the middle of May and the middle of September, but that doesn’t mean this is the best time to relocate for everyone. There are plenty of reasons to move, and sometimes, it comes down to the festive season. However, there are still certain dates you should really avoid.

Peak season is between Memorial Day and Labor Day

If you hire professional cross-country movers, you should avoid the busiest days of the season. This is, for example, the weekend before Christmas Day, or even the whole Christmas week, for that matter. Just imagine having to drive through all that traffic and bad weather just to buy some packing materials!

A BETTER WAY FOR MOVING! GET A QUOTE

If you’re going by plane, then avoid traveling at least two or three weeks before Christmas. Weekends are especially busy, so the most basic relocation tip would be to travel on workdays when the prices may be lower. The same goes for arranging things with your relocation and auto transport company. It’s best to book long-distance moving services mid-week, as there will be less demand, and your relocation budget will surely be thankful for it!

Boxes with decorations for Christmas tree
Keep your festive spirit even during this big change

Holiday Season and What to Expect

The good news is that you’ll probably have a break from work. If you’re relocating with kids, the little ones will also be away from school. Either way, cross-country moving is a long process, so it’s super important to have a solid plan – it will help you find the easiest way to pack

Consider your budget, get proper supplies (or just book packing services that can take care of the whole ordeal), and also take a look at what kind of weather conditions you can expect. Next, go through your belongings, declutter, and set aside the things you don’t need on an everyday basis first.

While smiles are all around during the festive season, this period is also known for increased home intrusions and robberies, as houses and apartments are left empty for a while. So, make sure to set up an alarm system before or immediately after settling into the new home, which means you should be scheduling it a few weeks before moving day

Holiday Season Brings More Expensive Ways of Moving

Just as all other prices rise during the holiday season, you can expect the moving costs to jump as well due to unfavorable weather conditions. In addition, remember that long-distance movers are also having their holidays so they may be understaffed during this period. If you’re working with a relocation and car shipping company such as Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving, the movers will have to face heavy traffic and icy roads, which will definitely deserve some tips!

If you like a festive season, you’ll probably miss one because of settling down in your house.
It might bring some additional expenses, so you have to plan ahead

How to Cope With Moving During the Holidays Instead of Celebrating

Obviously, another challenge of changing addresses during the holidays is having to pack and unpack, load and unload, and do a lot of cleaning and assembling, instead of celebrating. We know it’s hard, but try to find a way to cope with leaving friends and family. After all, you’ll be able to keep in touch, and you’ll get to start the new year and life fresh!

It Will Be Harder to Contact Help

Due to the increased risk of accidents and various problems, you should know that all emergency services will be extremely busy. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong during this time and even more possible relocation mistakes you can make. In order to move safely, it’s best to plan carefully and have a reliable long-distance moving company by your side.

Prepare your first-aid checklist for bad weather conditions.
If there's heavy snow, make sure all the roads are approachable

Pack Your Belongings According to Categories

When you start packing, it’s best to first tackle items such as decorations and paintings, as you won’t need them until the big move and certainly not as soon as you arrive at the destination. On the flip side, all of the relocation essentials, such as toiletries and a change of clothes, should be packed last. Here are a few packing tips to help you throughout the whole ordeal:

  • Clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to,
  • Focus on packing one room at a time to stay organized,
  • Keep boxes to a manageable weight to avoid injuries and prevent boxes from breaking.

If there are things you don’t need anymore, you can also donate them. After all, now is the perfect moment to do it, and you’ll also lighten the load for your move.

If there are things you don’t want to bring with you, see if your family would like to keep them.
A good checklist will help you organize this process

Money Matters – Reasons to Organize Your Budget

As we’ve already mentioned, the jolly season is not so jolly when it comes to your wallet. However, if you plan your budget properly and start saving in advance, it’s totally doable. Nail down the plan to every detail, including the packing materials you’ll need and the possible storage unit you’ll have to rent. And remember, opting for a mid-week relocation can significantly reduce the costs, so if possible, it’s a smart move.

Weather Is the Main Culprit Behind Rising Costs

Delays due to weather and extreme conditions can drive the prices higher, but they also come with some special considerations. If the holiday we’re talking about is Christmas or New Year, you need to be properly equipped for winter conditions, such as icy roads and snowfall. Also, dress appropriately. Arrange for utilities at your future home, and make sure that the heating is turned on in advance.

Take care of the utilities in your new home on time.
Cold weather could cause difficulties and unpredictable situations during the relocation

Give Yourself Time to Adjust While Our Team Handles the Rest

Relocating is a huge transition. While this doesn’t mean you should fall into despair as soon as a problem arises, you do need to give yourself time to blend in. With a little planning (and maybe some extra holiday cookies), you can turn this chaotic time into a joyful adventure. 

Ready to make your holiday move a breeze? Let Flat Price Auto Transport and Moving handle the heavy lifting, so you can focus on what really matters – enjoying the festive spirit in your new home. Contact us today to unwrap the gift of a stress-free move!

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