When planning a move over the holidays, the right approach is crucial

For all the joy the holidays bring, it can also be an increasingly hectic and stressful period for many families. This is especially true for those moving homes over the holiday season, which is hectic enough on its own without adding in tasks like shopping for gifts or preparing elaborate holiday meals.

While this may not be an ideal situation, these useful moving tips can help you deal with holiday moves to the best of your ability by establishing a workable battle plan. Planning is key in this respect, as well as being prepared for any unforeseen obstacles or hindrances that may pop up on the way to your new home.

Contact a moving company ASAP

Moving typically requires hiring a professional company to ensure your items remain intact during the trip from your old home to your new one. However, finding a reliable mover can be a bit more difficult during the holidays, as most of the staff will be unavailable at this time of year. In addition, rates may be a bit higher to accommodate moving staff, and this can be challenging for families on tighter budgets.

For these reasons, contacting a potential moving company as soon as possible is imperative to making reliable arrangements. Be sure to tell the company of your exact schedule, while also requesting an in-depth quote before coming to any agreements. This will prevent you from being surprised by any previously undisclosed or hidden fees that can factor in to projects of this nature.

Inform others about your move 

Once you have a date established, consider just how you will announce your move to friends and family. While you can use social media to keep others updated to your progress, sending out announcements is a nice touch during the holiday season. You can incorporate moving announcements into traditional Christmas cards to offer an ever-lasting keep sake of your transition.

In addition to informing loved ones of your new address, don’t forget to notify any companies you receive correspondence from via the mail. This can be accomplished by filling out a change of address form at your local post office, in addition to informing companies directly. This is essential over the Christmas season to ensure all mail is received in a timely manner, whether that entails important bills or gifts from out-of-town relatives.

Begin packing and organizing early

No matter the time of year, waiting until the last minute to begin packing for a move can often have disastrous results. It’s best to begin the process at least a few weeks prior to your moving date to ensure all items are packed successfully. Start by organizing your belongings in a common area to determine which items can be discarded. In many cases you can donate gently used unwanted items, which is particularly relevant during the holiday season.

You can also put some of your belongings into storage until after the holidays have passed. This will allow you to partake in holiday festivities without worrying about unpacking right away, while also making certain that your items remain safe and secure. This option can also be useful if you don’t have the ample time required to extensively organize your items before a move.

Consider scaling back celebrations/decorations

Decorating your home is a fine holiday tradition, but this can require much time and energy that may simply not be available when arranging a move. In this case, you may want to consider scaling back decorating until you reach your new abode. This doesn’t mean you should neglect putting up any decorations at all, just that you can save more substantial items (i.e. the tree) until you are settled into your new home.

The same can be said for holiday celebrations. Consider postponing grand holiday dinners until after your move to decrease some of the pressure you are facing. You can also seek alternate plans, like having dinner at a loved one’s home or dining out, to help create a more convenient celebratory situation.

Don’t forget to keep the holiday spirit alive 

The holidays should be a time for remembering what matters most in life, from being grateful for all that you have to cherishing time spent with your loved ones. When faced with the seemingly endless responsibilities related to moving, in addition to the many common tasks associated with Christmas, it can be easy to forget about the most important part of the season.

To this end, one should be mindful of creating new holiday memories even during this stressful period. Enlist your family to take numerous pictures of both your old home as well as new in order to preserve the spirit of the season. Also, take time for each other when you can, whether that entails cooking up a batch of cookies with the kids or taking in a Christmas-themed movie with your significant other. No matter what, try to keep in mind what the season really means, which can be beneficial for keeping your wits about you during times of increased stress.

Bryan Passanisi is an online marketer living in the Redwood City, California area. He graduated from The University of San Francisco with his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing. He is a Simpsons and Family Guy trivia geek and loves corgi puppies. Bryan Passanisi is a contributor to various websites and blogs including Shutterfly.