Moving During the Holidays?

December 14th, 2011 -- by JonMoultrie

Christmas is an exciting time of year, and moving can add some tension to the already hectic season. Juggling gift wrapping with dish packing and card sending with closing paper signings can be stressful. Perhaps your home has been on the market for months and suddenly sold and the buyers want to move in by Christmas or maybe you found a great deal on a foreclosure and you can’t wait to make an offer. Whatever the reason, sometimes you can’t help but move this time of year.

Moving during the holidays isn’t impossible and with a little planning you can avoid some of the unnecessary stresses.

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Here are a few tips to help you out:

1. Hire movers

While this is an additional expense, it will save you time and hassle. Many of the people you would normally ask to help you move will be tied up with holiday commitments and if you live in a cold weather region, moving heavy boxes and furniture in and out during the winter isn’t very fun. Set aside a few hundred dollars and leave this to the professionals. Trust me . . . you will be glad you did.

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2. Update your address

Send out Christmas cards with your new address listed on them and a reminder inside that you and your family have moved. Drop off a change of address form at the post office to ensure that you get all of your Christmas cards and mail at your new address.

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3. Make a Christmas box

Pack all of your Christmas gear separately so you can quickly set-up Christmas in your new home. This is especially important for families with children.

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4. Hang curtains or blinds

Window coverings keep prying eyes out and keep the heat in; thus, you should get your windows covered as soon as you get into your new home. As people drive around looking at Christmas lights, you don’t want them looking into your home and scoping out your stuff at the same time.

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5. Check your new fire place

Prior to lighting a fire in your new fireplace, check to make sure that the chimney has been properly swept. This information might be in your inspection report, but if it isn’t contact a local fire sweep cleaning service to check your chimney.

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6. Make it home

Bake some cookies, watch a Christmas movie, or do whatever you would have done in your old home to celebrate the holidays. Children take some time to adjust to a new place, but by incorporating your traditions immediately you can help get them in the spirit and ease the moving process.