New Home for the Holidays?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for relocating! At Elite, we are excited for the holiday season and our crew is looking forward to bringing all the cheer they can into your new home. While we may not be there to help decorate the tree or string the lights, we do have suggestions to help you manage the stress of adding a move into the holiday mix.

Budget Early
With all the travel and gift-buying expenses that normally add up during the holidays, it can already be difficult to stay on budget. Add in all the expenses associated with moving - from boxes to packing material, and you may need to look at tightening your belt. Get an estimate for your move and work out your budget well in advance and then set aside a certain amount each week leading up to your move so you’re well-covered.

Plan Ahead
This is the golden rule for moves all year round but it is especially helpful when the season becomes a snow globe whirlwind of events and activities. Stay in touch with us about changes to your move plan. For instance, if you originally planned to pack yourself and are simply running out of time and need assistance, let us know and we’ll do our best to schedule time to help finish your packing. We’re here to help so if you make a list, we’ll check it twice!

Donate
A large part of moving is getting rid of the junk you’ve had lying around the house for years. You’re also likely to find things like toys and clothes that your family has outgrown, along with electronics and furniture you no longer use. Not only is it a great time of year to donate these items, but you can write those donations off when it’s time to do your taxes.

Pack Smart
The last thing you’ll want to do is be packing during the already busy holiday. Usually, you’ll have at least a month’s notice before moving day. While it can be tempting to put your packing off, make a list and aim to get one room packed each week. That way the move will feel less overwhelming, particularly if you’re also trying to visit family and friends over the holidays.

Hire Us to Do the Packing
Let’s be honest, you have enough wrapping to do already. Why not reserve our professional packing crew for a stress-free pack? Everything from fine china to flat screen TVs can be padded and packed to prevent damage. Need it done the day before the big move? Let’s get you on the schedule for a prior day pack. If it’s just your kitchen that could use a helping hand, we’d be happy to do a partial pack.

Prepare for the Weather
Obviously, the weather for your holiday move is outside of your control. If you’re relocating to or from the hills or mountainous areas, you’ll need to be prepared for cold (sometimes freezing) temperatures. From white-out blizzards to icy roads, the holiday season can mean challenging weather conditions. When you’re packing, use as many waterproof plastic bins as you can. Stock up on winter-ready clothes and proper moving supplies to deal with the worst possible weather conditions. Don’t forget to make sure your electricity and heat are already turned on in your new house before you arrive.

Make sure You’re Protected
The weather outside is frightful, but your brand new hardwood floors are so delightful. While we always provide home protection to keep your floors, walls and banisters clean and scratch-free, having us perform a visual survey of your locations and alerting us in advance to unusual entryways, steep driveways or icy walkways is helpful so we can adequately prepare for your move day.

Be Safe
Sadly, robberies and home invasions tend to increase during the holiday season. According to the FBI, each November and December, more than 400,000 burglaries take place. 60% of burglars surveyed said that if they noticed a home alarm system, they would look for another target instead. To safeguard your new home, be sure to set up your security system before you move in. You’ll need to arrange this with your security system provider a few weeks before you move so they can install your system and ensure it’s working before moving day.

Get in the Spirit & Make it Fun
Regardless of the stress of holiday moving, find the time to sneak in some fun. Let the kids know that Santa will still be able to find them. Take the time to relax and have a family dinner after long days of packing. Put on some holiday music while you’re packing and talk to the kids about how nice the holidays will be next year in the new house. If your appliances and kitchen supplies are already packed, many hotels offer a sit-down Christmas lunch and dinner which can take the pressure off. Most importantly, give yourself a break and enjoy the season!

Let us Help
If you’re just starting to plan your holiday move, we’d love to help. We know how stressful it can be to relocate over the holidays, and our experienced team will do everything they can to make your move as easy and smooth as possible.

Written by Claudia Schouten Jones, Owner
Elite Relocation Services