Moving home at Christmas can be a stressful time. But if you’ve got some solid planning in place, it doesn’t have to be. Here are our top tips for moving home over the festive period:
1. Work out your Christmas plans in advance
You may have your own reasons for moving home at Christmas, but the good news is that it’s a time of year when it’s easy to plan ahead.
For example, if you are planning on staying at home for Christmas this year and having friends over, then make sure that you have enough food in the house for your guests. Also, don’t pack away all their gifts (including the things you stashed in your closet months ago!). Even if you’re moving, you’ll still want your house to look a little festive, so maybe leave out a few decorations, too.
If you are going away for Christmas, then book your flights as soon as possible—the earlier the better. This will ensure that there aren’t any problems with availability or prices being raised when they normally wouldn’t be expected.
2. Declutter!
When moving home at Christmas and everything is so hectic, start the process by de-cluttering. Throw out anything that you haven’t used in the last year or donate items to charity shops. It will give you a clear head space when packing what you need, as well as ensuring that your new home is clutter free. Additionally, you will reduce your moving quotes, since you will be transporting fewer items.
You might be getting a lot of gifts soon too, so you’ll need to make sure you have room to store them in your new house! Decluttering is also a great way to see what you need for your new home. If you have some old items to get rid of, you might want to replace them with something shiny and new in your new home. Why not ask for these items for Christmas from your loved ones?
3. Don’t leave your packing to the last minute
You’ve probably heard the advice to avoid packing at the last minute, and we can’t stress enough how vital this is. If you’re moving home, it’s especially important not to leave everything until December 24th.
If you do decide to do all of your packing yourself, make sure that you give yourself plenty of time and don’t start making plans with friends or family until after everything is packed away safely and securely.
4. Book a courier service in advance
If you’re looking to move home this Christmas, then it’s important you book a courier service in advance. This way, you’ll be able to ensure your belongings are transported safely and securely – with plenty of time for packing, loading and unloading.
We would suggest booking a courier service as soon as possible so that they can collect all of your items before Christmas day arrives and then deliver them straight into your Sydney storage units (or even to your new doorstep, if you’re ready).
Make sure you choose the right van
If you need a van for a move, make sure it is the right size and can fit comfortably into your driveway. Don’t be tempted to book the smallest van you can find because it costs less, because this will mean extra loading, unloading and time costs since you might need to make multiple trips. If your home is quite large, then choose a larger van rather than trying to cram everything into a smaller space.
5. Keep an eye on the weather forecast for your moving day
If it’s going to rain or snow on the day of your move, you might want to reconsider. Moving with a raincoat or umbrella is never fun, so if the forecast calls for rain, it may be best to reschedule your move date.
Snow and ice can also play havoc with moving plans – if there’s even a small chance of snow or freezing temperatures on moving day, think about postponing until later in the month when conditions are more favourable.
Depending on where you live, you’ll also have to look out for hot weather. If it’s going to be 30C+ when you’re moving, then your possessions could suffer damage as they sit in the back of an open van on a hot day.
Bonus tip: Make sure the kids and pets are taken care of
Moving at Christmas is already stressful enough, but what if you have pets and children to look after?
The best way to make sure that your kids and pets are looked after while you move is to plan ahead. Make sure they have everything they need before the move, including their own packing boxes and labels. Kids can also help by packing their toys, books and clothes in advance.
Once you’ve moved into your new home, make sure there are no toxic substances lying around that could harm your kids or pets. You might want to give them a tour of their new surroundings so they know where everything is located.
When it comes to unpacking, make sure you keep items away from reachable places such as behind doors or under beds. You should also consider making some rooms pet- or child-free zones (for example kitchens) so that nothing gets broken or damaged during the move itself.
Should you move at Christmas?
It’s not a good time to move house, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. If you’ve ever been someone who has had to make an important decision during the festive season, then you’ll know how stressful it can be.
What we’re saying is: just because it’s Christmas and New Year doesn’t mean that moving home should put on hold until next year. You could find yourself getting stuck in your current property if you don’t put an offer in for your dream house because it’s the festive season.
If there’s one thing we’ve learnt after countless house moves, it’s that there are plenty of companies out there who can help with any type of move regardless of its timing – so don’t let fear take over just yet!
Wrapping Up
We hope you’ve enjoyed these tips for moving at Christmas. If you’re still not sure about whether or not it’s the right time for your move, go for it! You’ll regret it more if you miss out on the house of your dreams, than moving at Christmas.
