Preparing for your Post-Holiday Move

The holidays in Buffalo are filled with warmth, family and friends. There is nothing better than enjoying our favorite meals and traditions with your loved ones. If this is the last holiday season in your home, then you are almost certainly feeling bittersweet emotions. Every Buffalo moving company will share the same advice - moving will be a massive adjustment. But if you are moving right after the holidays end, the season of giving can quickly transform into the season of stress! Luckily, prepping for the holidays and your imminent move can be a breeze if you take the necessary time to prepare properly.

Get Organized

Taking the time to get organized now will save you a tremendous amount of time and stress once your moving company arrives! We’re sharing tips to get you organized and on track this holiday season:

• Print a calendar that will be used for only moving tasks. Highlight your move day. Next, count backwards from that day and write up a draft outline of all your move-related tasks and things to pack. Having a timeline will give you a sense of accomplishment and will keep you from getting off track in the flurry of activities in December.
• If you are getting a lot of boxes from packages and online shopping, keep them! Use these boxes for packing your items. If these boxes also have peanuts, paper, bubble wrap, or other cushioning, keep them! They are great for providing additional support and protection for your fragile décor pieces.
• Have plenty of boxes, tape, markers, etc. Having all your moving supplies on hand and kept together will help you be ready whenever you get the inspiration to pack your things!

  

Decorations

Opening a dusty box and pulling out sentimental holiday decorations for the first time in a year is a great feeling. It’s official, the holidays are here! Seeing our favorite keepsakes, decorations, or ornaments fill us with nostalgia and excitement for the season. But as you’re starting to decorate, it’s time to think about how you will be taking it all down. Not to gloss over seasonal festivities, but you will want to be more prepared than in previous years to repack your decorations. Your breakable keepsakes, ornaments, and snowglobes are probably packed into sturdy storage boxes that sit in your garage or attic. But are they packed and ready to be moved? Don’t make more work for yourself at the end of the season. Getting a plan in place for how you will take down and then carefully pack your decorations will save you time and headaches when getting ready for your move. Here are some general tips:

• When taking down your Christmas tree, have packing supplies ready. Using tissue paper or unprinted newsprint, carefully wrap your ornaments and breakable pieces before packing them into a dish pack.
• Wreaths and garland pack great into wardrobe boxes!
• Menorahs and kinaras should be wrapped with tissue paper or newsprint, then put in a book carton, or inside of a dish pack along with similar items.
• Wardrobe boxes are fantastic to safely pack artificial Christmas trees. Put two on top of each other for taller trees!

 

Holiday Meals

While the family drifts off in tryptophan bliss, use that time to wash, dry, and pack your seasonal plates and servingware. If you have holiday casserole dishes, china, or cutlery, washing them and immediately packing them away is a great way to save time. Those pieces are only used once a year, just pack them properly for moving right off the bat!

Gifts

There are some things to ponder when thinking about any new gifts or purchases. If you’re moving near the holidays, you have probably already had your moving company come up with a quote, which could be time or weight based depending on your move. If you have gotten or given any bigger gifts that might affect your estimate, be sure to get in touch with your moving company as soon as possible. There might be extra special disassembly, services, or costs for the different weight or time than initially quoted. Some common gifts that need extra care are:

• Stationary bikes and treadmills - especially the ones that have video screens, these are hot holiday gifts! Keep in mind, because of their size and servicing necessary to secure the electronic components, you will have to notify your moving company if you have received one of these!
• Game tables – ping-pong tables, pool tables, and poker tables can add weight or time to your move. If you have a slate pool table, it will necessitate special service before being moved, as well as refelting the table after the move.
• Lithium batteries- power tools, cameras, hover boards and more typically use lithium batteries these days. While moving companies can typically move these batteries without problems, you will want to make sure the battery is item and charger properly. Lithium batteries cannot be sent in an air shipment, if you’re moving overseas.

 

Bonus tip: If you have been granted access to your new home ahead of the holidays, you may consider having family and friends ship any gifts to your new place. This will prevent your moving company from having to handle them, preventing a reason to change your quote.

Get nostalgic

When your current home is still decorated for the holidays, take pictures, make festive treats and really enjoy all your favorite traditions. You will be glad you’ve saved these memories and pictures to remember for many years. Planning a farewell holiday party is also a wonderful send-off. Make sure to invite neighbors and loved ones you may not see as often after your move for one last holiday shindig.

Contact Corrigan

As a family-owned and operated Buffalo moving company, we know a lot about moving around the holidays! We pride ourselves on having the most compassionate and knowledgeable employees in the business. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed this holiday season, and miss out on the magic and enjoyment of your final holiday in your current home.

Our expert relocation professionals are standing by to help you get through the season ahead. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation, in-home or virtual moving quote today!