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Tips for Moving to a New Home During the Holidays

November 30, 2022
Published by Garrette Custom Homes

If you find yourself moving into one of the new homes in Portland Oregon or in the Puget Sound during the holiday season, you’re probably worried about being able to celebrate properly, either in your old home that is being packed up, or your new home that still has to be unpacked and organized. Whatever the situation, there are ways to enjoy the holidays during a move to a new home.

Ideally, you should consider starting to pack at least a month in advance of your move. Give yourself three to four weeks to pack everything up, starting with the least used items, and saving the most used for last. Try to dedicate one room that you can pack up first to be the storage area for all boxes as you pack them. This will keep your home from becoming an obstacle course. Don’t forget to check for sales on moving supplies, since some stores may be selling them at a discount during Black Friday and the rest of the holiday season. By giving yourself extra time to pack, you will have a little more time to enjoy some of the holidays.

Now is not the time to host family and friends at your home for the holidays. Even if you usually do, put it off until next year and try to get other family members to host instead. If not, you can always look for a nice restaurant to take the stress off by avoiding all the cooking and cleaning. This also means you can pack up those kitchen items that only get used this time of year, as well as guest rooms and extra linens. Next year you can host everyone in your brand new home.

Even if you’re going to be in your old home for the holidays, it’s best to pack up most of your decorations. You don’t want items to get lost in the move. However, you can still put up a wreath on the door, or a small table-top tree to add a nice touch. If you have moved into your new home, but are still unpacking and rearranging, you may not want to add the extra work of unpacking and decorating, just to repack again. Scaling back the decorations may be a good idea just for this year.

Another way to get into the holiday spirit is to check out the local events and displays. While your current home might not be as festive as usual, you can pick up a lot of holiday spirit from local light displays, holiday markets, special performances, and more. It’s a fun way to get out and relax and enjoy the season amid all of the hubbub at home. As you’re packing, now is a great time to donate gently used clothing, especially winter coats and other warm clothing that you no longer need. Less to pack and you’re doing a good deed!

Finally, confirm and re-confirm with any services you’ll be using, especially movers or rental trucks. Things can get busy during this time of year and you don’t want any last minute problems.

Taking a realistic approach to moving during the holidays, and packing as early as possible, will help make the move a little easier. Moving into one of the new homes in Portland Oregon is already a time-consuming task, so try not to add more work to your schedule. While it may not be your usual traditional holiday experience, there are still ways to enjoy the festivities without adding to your stress. Keep an open mind and try some new holiday traditions that are simple, such as a Christmas movie marathon, or a picnic on the floor with some fun foods that are easy to make or buy. There’s always some way to enjoy the holidays, no matter how simple you keep it.

Categorized in: Build on Your Land, Community Info, Design Tips, Fall Tips, Floorplan Tips, Holiday Tips

This post was written by Garrette Custom Homes