7 top tips for moving home at Christmas

The decorations are up, Christmas parties are under way, the shopping days are getting few and carol concerts are in abundance.  As you’re driving home for Christmas this year, have you added to the normal stresses and strains by moving home in Cheadle as well?  You won’t be on your own – you’d be surprised how many people complete around and over the festive season.

Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle, even though you’re moving home it can still be the most wonderful time of year (I hope you are enjoying the song analogy’s)  At Maurice Kilbride these are our top tops for moving home at Christmas.

Removals

We know you can’t secure a removal company until your completion date has been confirmed but you can do some research whilst you wait.  Some removal companies will close over the Christmas period so get some quotes from those that are able to undertake your move.  In addition, check the reviews – you need to make sure your belongings will be in safe hands, so being careful about who you choose could be worth it.

Packing

One way to take the stress out of your move is to take advantage of the packing service some removal companies offer.  This can save you precious time but, more importantly, ensure that your valuable and fragile possessions are taken care of.  You may need to place your items in storage for a while, or be travelling some distance, either way, as professionals they will know the best way to keep your belongings safe.

Essentials

Whether you’re packing yourself or using a professional packing service, you need to ensure you have an essentials box ready and travelling by your side.  This box should contain everything you will need to hand when you arrive at your new home – from chargers to a kettle, from nibbles to toilet roll, and perhaps even a mince pie.  This is one box that will keep you sane, even if everything around you is in complete chaos.

Plan, don’t wait

With so many things to consider, you don’t want to leave your Christmas shopping to the stresses of the last-minute rush.  You may have been lucky to take advantage of some Black Friday deals, or even undertaken some shopping online.  Once your gifts have arrived, get them wrapped as soon as possible, Amazon will even gift wrap your gifts for a small fee! so if a completion date is thrust upon you, you have another job done ready for Christmas.  Gifts for family and friends could be dropped off early to clear some space in your home, and so they don’t get misplaced in your move.

Change of address

Make your life easier by signing up for the Royal Mail’s change of address service, which will give you a bit of time to get your address changed with all the companies you need to, and those you may have forgotten.  As well as your address, it would be beneficial to let utility companies know in advance that you’re moving, and don’t forget to take meter readings in your old home when you leave, and your new home when you arrive.

Be realistic

You may love hosting your family and friends at Christmas, and you may have agreed to do the same this year.  But as your move is getting closer to Christmas, it could be worthwhile making different plans.  Everyone will understand – you don’t want your guests surrounded by boxes, or the strain of cooking for a large group and not being able to find the pans you wanted.  See if another family member can do the hosting this year – if not, why not do something completely different and maybe stay in a hotel or cottage?

Write to Santa

Just as this move could be stressful for you, your children will be feeling the same and also worrying whether Father Christmas will be able to find them in their new home.  Take a moment out from planning to help your children write a letter to Santa to let them know where they will be on Christmas Eve.  This will help reassure them that, even though the celebration may be different this year, and even if things are a little crazy, one thing will never change, and that’s the true magic of Christmas.

Whenever you’re planning to move home in Cheadle our team at Maurice Kilbride are always on hand to provide you with advice and support.  Find out how Joe, Patrick and Maurice can get you moving by calling 0161 428 3663, e-mail sales@mkiea.co.uk or why not pop into our busy office on the High Street in Cheadle for an informal chap and a brew.

In the meantime, may we take this opportunity to wish each and everyone of you a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year and thank you for reading my blogs throughout the year which I hope you have found interesting and helpful.