Advice for Moving Around the Holidays
As if moving isn’t stressful enough, if you have to do it during the holidays, it is even harder. Now, if you are a single person who would rather fast-forward through the holidays, the move may not be quite as difficult. However, if you have a family with children, it will take a little careful planning on your part to not compromise the celebrations while pulling off a smooth move. Well, believe it or not, it can be done.
Do You Need to Move?
The first thing you need to decide is if you really have to move at this time. Can you move even a week sooner so you can at least be unpacked and have time to toss a tree up? Alternatively, can it wait until the week after?
Have a Plan
The more organized you are, the smoother the move will go. Don’t wait for the last minute to try to book movers because you may find yourself without them. Keep in mind that many people take vacation during this time so some moving companies may be running with a skeleton crew.
When you make your plan, you should include all of the details of the actual holiday, not just the move. Will you be cooking dinner? If so, then you will need to know which boxes your posts and pans are packed in, and you will need a grocery shopping list.
Are you planning on buying a real tree? Then you need to know where you can find them at the last minute. It may be hectic to go get a real tree with everything else you have to do, but it will be worth it.
Utilize Your Spare Room
If you have a spare room, garage or basement, put all of the boxes you don’t need right away in there. If you plan on still putting some type of Christmas celebration together, and you still have to work and take care of other responsibilities, you won’t have time to unpack everything. Simply unpack what you need, and the rest can wait until things are less hectic after the holidays.
Know Where Decorations Are
You need to make a point to know where your holiday decorations are. All the boxes should be loaded and unloaded together, and put somewhere that you can find them. If you have a fake tree, this should be with the decorations.
Be Around People
Even if you only invite a friend or relative over on a day near the holidays, it can make it feel a little more like home. If you aren’t moving far away, it shouldn’t be difficult to convince someone to stop by. If you are moving a long distance, then take this time to mingle and enjoy the city. Go downtown and look at the holiday displays or hit the outdoor ice-skating rink, even if you only grab a cup of hot cocoa. The more you surround yourself with people who are enjoying the holidays, the more things will feel normal.
Skip the Diet
If you have decided to be on a diet at the same time you are trying to move and plan the holidays, you may find that food consumes your mind more than it should. That being said, healthy food choices will stabilize your mood and give you more energy. However, if you want dessert, don’t deprive yourself; you deserve it!
