Preparing for your Post-Holiday Move

The holidays in Grand Rapids are a time filled with warmth, friends, and family. There isn’t anything better than taking the time to enjoy cherished traditions and meals with those you love. If this is the last holiday season in your current home, then you are likely feeling bittersweet emotions. Every Grand Rapids moving company will say the same story - moving will be a massive adjustment. But if you’re moving just after the holidays end, the season of giving may quickly become the season of stress! Luckily, getting ready for the holidays and your soon-to-be move can be easy peasy if you take the necessary time to properly prepare.

Get Organized

Being organized now will save you a tremendous amount of time and stress when your moving company gets there! Here are some tips to get you organized and on track this holiday season:

• Print off a calendar that you’ll only use for tasks related to the move. Highlight your move day. Counting backwards from that day, write up a rough outline of your major tasks and what you need to pack. Making a timeline gives you a sense of accomplishment and keep you from getting lost in the hectic flurry of December.
• If you’re getting lots of boxes from online packages, keep them! Use them for packing your items. If the boxes also have peanuts, paper, bubble wrap, or other packing materials, keep them! These are great for providing more padding and protection for your fragile décor pieces.
• Gather lots of tape, boxes, markers, etc. When you have all your materials handy and kept together will allow you to be ready whenever you are inspired to pack anything!

  

Decorations

Opening that dusty box and pulling out sentimental holiday decorations for the first time in almost a year is a great feeling. It’s official, the holidays are here! Seeing our favorite keepsakes, decorations, or ornaments fills us with nostalgia and excitement for the season ahead. But as you start decorating, now is the time to think ahead about how you’ll be taking it all down. Not to overlook holiday festivities, but you will want to be more prepared than in other years to pack up your decorations. Your ornaments, snowglobes and breakable keepsakes are typically kept in sturdy storage boxes sitting in your basement, attic, or garage. But are they safe for moving? Do not make additional work for yourself at the end of the season. Having a plan in place for how you will put away and safely pack your decorations will save you time and hastle when getting ready for your move. Here are some general tips:

• When putting away your Christmas tree, make sure to have packing supplies handy. Carefully wrap your ornaments and breakable ornaments with tissue paper or unprinted newsprint before packing them into a dish pack.
• Garlands and wreaths fit great into wardrobe boxes!
• Menorahs and kinaras should be carefully wrapped with tissue paper or newsprint, and then put in a book carton, or inside of a dish pack along with comparable pieces of décor.
• Wardrobe boxes work well to pack artificial Christmas trees. Place two on top of each other for taller trees!

 

Holiday Meals

While your family drifts off in tryptophan bliss, take that time to wash, dry, and pack any seasonal plates and tableware. If you have holiday sets of china, casserole dishes or cutlery, washing them and immediately packing them away is a great way to save time. Because those pieces are used only once a year, just properly pack them for moving right now!

Gifts

There are several things to think about when considering any new purchases or gifts. If you’re moving right after the holidays, you have probably already had your moving company provide a quote, this may be based on time or weight depending on your move. If you have gotten or given any larger gifts that may alter your estimate, make sure you reach out to your moving company asap. There may be extra special disassembly, services, or costs for more or less weight or time than you were originally quoted. Some common gifts needing extra care are:

• Stationary bikes and treadmills - especially the ones that have video screens, these are in-demand holiday gifts! But, due to their size and servicing needed to secure the electronic components, you’ll have to notify your moving company if you have received one of these!
• Game tables – ping-pong tables, pool tables, and poker tables will add weight and time to your move. If you get a slate pool table, it will need special service prior to being moved. It will also need refelting after the move.
• Lithium batteries- these days, cameras, hover boards, and power tools typically use lithium batteries. While moving companies usually have no problem moving these batteries with no concerns, you will want to make sure the battery is properly disconnected from the item and charger. Lithium batteries can’t be shipped by air, if you are moving overseas.

 

Bonus tip: If you have access to your new place prior to the holidays, you may have friends and family ship any gifts to your new house. This will prevent your moving company from having to handle them, preventing the need to change your quote.

Get nostalgic

As long as your current home is still warmly decorated, enjoy all your favorite holiday traditions, take pictures, and make festive treats. You’ll be happy you’ve saved these photos and memories to cherish for years to come. Hosting a festive farewell party is also a wonderful send-off. Invite loved ones and neighbors you won’t might not see as much after your move for one final holiday feast.

Contact Corrigan

As a family-owned and operated Grand Rapids moving company, we know a thing or two about moving over the holidays! We pride ourselves on having the most compassionate and knowledgeable employees in the business. Don’t let yourself get stressed out this season, and miss out on the magic and enjoyment of your last holiday in your current home.

Our professional relocation experts are ready to help you survive the season ahead. Contact us now to schedule your free, no-obligation, in-home or virtual moving estimate today!