Between shopping, hanging lights, decorating the tree and attending secret Santa shindigs, the holidays can easily seem like a never-ending to-do list. Add moving or relocating to the mix, and you may just have the perfect storm of stress and mayhem brewing. So . . . how do you keep your holiday spirit merry, while planning your next move? Read on for some of our top tips.
1. Give Yourself The Gift of A Moving Company
With so much going on between Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years, the best way to not get overwhelmed during a move is to plan ahead and delegate as much as possible. Professional moving companies recommend a three-month headstart from the date you begin getting ready for your move and the time you’ll be moving in.
During your first month, begin simplifying things as much as possible. Start separating what you’ll take with you to your new home from the things that won’t make the cut. Instead of holding a yard sale, enlist the help of a non-profit organization that can come by and pick up your donations, which will save you time and energy.
Contact at least three professional moving companies to get quotes and go over your moving timeline. If you’re short on time, consider moving companies that provide a packing service as well. Here are some local options we recommend…
- Greystone Relocation Concierge - They take care of all the details from purging to packing to hanging your prized possessions in your new home. Just sit back and let their experts do all the heavy lifting.
- Wetzel & Sons- A local, family owned and operated company, dedicated to meeting and exceeding all of your moving and storage needs. They’ve been in business since 1976.
- Redondo Van & Storage-Since 1919, their team has been helping corporate and residential clients safely and conveniently move.
- Gentle Giant Moving- Gentle Giant has been a staple in L.A. for more than 30 years and can handle any type of move, here or abroad, due their affiliation with Atlas Van Lines.
- Home Sweet Home - Home Sweet Home takes the stress out of the packing process, by handling all the nitty gritty details for you.
Pro Tip: The holiday season is a prime time to spread goodwill to others. Check the Salvation Army and Goodwill to see what items they are currently accepting. You can also contact local charities to see what they may be able to use.
2. Tackle Your Move Little By Little
The earlier you designate a room, the garage or a portable moving unit as the storage center for packed boxes, the easier it will be to get moving when the time comes. Instead of rushing and throwing things in boxes at the last minute, pack little by little.
Take it one room at a time, with the first pass being the “throw away/donate” phase. This is when you get rid of everything that won’t be going with you to your new home—old toys, clothes you haven’t worn in years, things that have been collecting dust. Anything that doesn’t have a sentimental or practical value, toss.
During your next pass through each room, which should happen roughly two months before your move, pack all of your non-essentials such as books, faux plants, artwork and out-of-season clothes, jackets and shoes.
Pro Tip: To keep the mess to a minimum, ask people to not bring or send presents until you have moved into your new home.
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels
3. Don’t Overcommit!
If your move falls in between holidays, prevent extra work by keeping your decorations to a minimum. If you scale down your fall and holiday decor, you’ll save yourself the time, money and stress from trying to manage a move, plus all the festivities.
Do you normally host for the holidays? Consider taking a break this year. Instead ask one of your closest friends or family members to take on the responsibility. It may not be what you’re used to, but the switch will remove the added pressure of having a picture perfect home in the middle of a move.
Pro Tip: This year, you can kill two birds with one stone with your holiday cards –they can also serve as your change-of-address announcements!
4. Get Out and About in Your New Neighborhood
Your home may not have its usual holiday flair, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate and have fun. In fact, this is a great reason to enjoy activities such as local parades, Santa- sightings, neighborhood light strolls or other community events. Getting out of your house may also alleviate stress and get your mind off the move in general. If you’ll be in your new home between Thanksgiving and Christmas, this can be a great way to explore your new neighborhood.
Pro Tip: Meet your neighbors online or in-person! Download the Nextdoor app, and then muster up the courage to head next door and say, “hello.”
Moving or relocating during the holidays can be stressful, but if done right, you can still keep it cheerful. Our team is here to do the heavy lifting and offer referrals to local vendors who can make the process as smooth as possible!