Ways to Make Moving Day a Little Less Stressful
Laura Stinebeck
Friday, December 7, 2018
The day you move is inevitably busy, stressful and a little crazy. Here are some tidbits to help the day go a little more smoothly.
Know where your keys, wallet and phone are. Make sure you have your I.D., credit/debit card(s), and a little cash wouldn’t hurt either (easier to pay the food delivery person for dinner your first night in your new house). That way, you know you’ve got your basics if you need them for anything; even if it’s just to buy some wine after your long day!
Pack an overnight bag with a changes of clothes, some flip flops or house shoes, your toiletries, medications, phone chargers, etc. Like you’re going on vacation, albeit one where you work harder and have less fun. At least this way, you know you’ve got some clean underwear to look forward to.
One thing I didn’t do (because my new husband’s house was already set up), but would have done if I was moving to a new house, is to pack the basics in a couple of totes or boxes and maybe a cooler with some essentials. This is the stuff I’d put in my car rather than the moving truck just so I know where it is. You can find lists and ideas of what to put in this box all over the internet, but here’s a list of what I’d put in mine:
- Lysol wipes and some basic cleaning supplies
- Paper Towels
- Shower Curtain, hooks and rod (unless your new home has a shower with a door on it)
- A towel and washcloth for each family member
- A couple of hand towels
- Soap
- Toilet Paper
- Granola Bars
- Cold Cereal or instant oatmeal
- Disposable plates, cups, napkins and cutlery (don’t forget hot cups for coffee)
- A set of clean sheets for each mattress/bed, don’t forget pillows!
- Basic tools (hammer, screwdrivers, drill, etc)
- Box cutter or pocket knife (how else are you going to open those boxes?)
- Scissors and Tape
- Some paper, a couple of pens and a marker or two
- Electronics and charging cables that you can’t live without for a day or two
- Pet bowls, food, medication etc., if necessary
- Movie, toys, games, etc. for children, if necessary
- Important documents, papers, etc. (For your new home, truck rental, hotel reservations if you’re spending the night on the road, etc.)
- Don’t forget the coffee! (coffee pot, filters, cups, cream, sweetener)
- Maybe a bottle of wine to celebrate? If you don’t get a twist off cap, brink your corkscrew!
Personally, I’d also pack a little cooler with some milk, fruit, cheese sticks and some boiled eggs in it as well. If you do this, make sure you’ve got an ice pack.
My goal with this list is to give you some breathing room so that you don’t have to stress about having to unpack boxes to find everything you need for your first days in your home. I hope this helps as you think about your first few days in your new home.