The season of candy canes, reindeer, lights, and menorahs is almost here. Decking the halls and stringing up your seasonal lights for the holidays can be stressful enough–that stress doubles when you’re in the middle of a move. Moving during the holidays is bound to be filled with a little bit of chaos and concerns. The key to making it through is learning how to manage it all. Maffucci Moving & Storage is here to help you do just that. 

Here’s the thing about moving in December: it’s not different from moving at any other time. Sure, there are more boxes you’ll need to unpack once you’re settled, and yes, it might be colder, but those are minor things overall! Just like any other move, having a plan of attack will save you time and energy. Do you know what else will help? Hiring an experienced professional moving and storage company such as Maffucci. We’ve been making moves for decades and have the knowledge to make your holiday relocation calm, cool, and collected. Tips for moving during the holiday season can make all the difference in reducing your stress and ensuring a smooth transition. Planning ahead, setting realistic expectations, and enlisting help from professionals like Maffucci Moving & Storage will help you navigate the busy season with ease.

Maximum Organization, Minimal Stressification

The most valuable piece of advice we can give you on staying organized and reducing stress during a holiday move is simple. Start planning in advance to avoid panicking about everything you have to do. We recommend taking an assessment to determine how much time you’ll realistically need to prep for your move and work backward from there. Give yourself at least three weeks to pack at a leisurely pace. This way, you can get things done while enjoying pre-holiday activities with friends and family. 

Regarding activities, consider hosting gatherings away from home rather than centered around your kitchen table. Instead, invite your family out to ice skating and dinner! You can still enjoy the fun without the extra stress of having many people in your space. Maffucci also recommends:

• Having a detailed packing plan. To avoid your house becoming a maze, consider having a staging area for boxes and packing supplies. Also, consider packing the smallest rooms/items up first so they’re out of the way. Go room by room without jumping around to keep track of everything.
• Partially packing decorations. You don’t need to keep all of your holiday decor packed away. Limit home decorations for the time being until you’re settled into your new home. Scaling back your normal festiveness may hurt your heart but save you valuable time.
• Start with what’s not used. Start in the room you spend the least amount of time in. Consequently, those items will also be the least used, making them easier to put away and allowing you to get a jump on packing.
• Donating items. The holidays are all about giving back and sharing what we have with one another. Instead of throwing away any items you don’t plan on moving, donate them to a local charity. Who knows, you could be giving someone else the gift they’ve always wanted.
• Scheduling your utilities. Remember to call each of your utility companies (e.g., gas, electric, water, and Wi-Fi) to schedule a service stop/start. You don’t want to be without power at your new place, especially during December. Call ahead to ensure power is turned on the day before you’re meant to arrive.
• Building a budget. Moving during the holidays can be more expensive than normal, as you may have to pay a premium to lock down movers. On top of that, you’ve got food and presents to purchase. Create a detailed budget based on quotes from movers and your expected holiday-related spending. Then, you can determine what services to use and ways to save.

Balancing the Holly Jolly Days with Moving

Okay, so moving during the holidays may not be ideal. You’ve got tons of shopping and many events to attend with your loved ones. While it’s important to set aside plenty of time to tackle all your moving responsibilities, you understandably don’t want to miss any holiday celebrations. How do you balance all the festivities with moving tasks? 

• Make a calendar. As soon as you find out about an event with your loved ones, write down the details (e.g., time, location, and who’s attending) on the calendar. This way, you can plan your moving activities for that day or week around it.
• Pack decorations last. If moving mid-holiday, you can pack up everything else before your decorations. This way, you can still enjoy their holiday ambiance while actually making a dent in your moving checklist. When decorations are basically all that’s left, then pack them.
• Reconfirm plans. Your moving reservations should be confirmed and re-confirmed in the days leading up to the move. The holidays are – it goes without saying – a busy time which can make people and companies more forgetful than normal. Call your movers to confirm dates and pricing and keep records to ensure everything stays on track. 
• Use holiday cards. When you send out holiday cards to your family and friends, use them to communicate your new address. This way, you’re spreading holiday cheer while ticking off one task on your moving checklist– notifying about an address change! Including your new contact info ensures your loved ones know how to reach you and allows them to feel valued. 
• Hire professional movers. Hiring movers removes the stress of packing and prepping entirely off your shoulders. Maffucci is a full-service moving company. We can pack and load your home for you while you focus on enjoying special time with your loved ones. 

Conquering Cheery Challenges

Since the holidays happen during the chilliest part of the year, it’s essential to have the proper moving supplies to protect your items (and you). Supplies you’ll want to have handy to conquer chilly temperatures are:

• Salt, sand, or ice melt (deicers)
• Old towels/floor coverings
• Ice scrapers 
• Tire chains 
• Plastic bins or plastic bag-covered boxes 
• Furniture blankets 
• Mattress bags

Ensure you keep hats, gloves, scarves, jackets, and snow boots on hand and not packed away. It’s important for everyone to be layered up appropriately on moving day to stay safe and warm. Your head, hands, and feet will get cold before the rest of you, so pay extra attention to those body parts. Check with your helpers regularly to ensure they’re feeling alright– and check for yourself with children. We recommend offering “hot hands” packers to each person to keep in their pocket and have plenty of warm beverages ready to be given out.

Merry, Merry Moving with Maffucci

Moving at the most wonderful time of the year doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you start planning in advance and pay attention to your budget, you’ll make it through quickly. Consider everything we discussed today, including limiting home decorations and preemptively packing. Moving in December can be an enjoyable time when done correctly. When you choose Maffucci Moving & Storage for your professional home moving services, you’ll have more time to spend with those you love and less worry.

Ready to make your holiday move stress-free? Hire professional movers. Contact Maffucci Moving today for a personalized moving plan and expert assistance. Let us help you enjoy the season while we handle the logistics of your move!