In just under 9 years of marriage, we’re in the midst of our 8th move. [insert wailing, teeth-gritting, and turning-to-ice emojis here] By default, we’ve gotten pretty darn good at it. And because of the transition craziness (and it’s literally, actually 100 degrees outside and you don’t have to cook in triple digits, you just don’t) I’m going to share moving tips instead of recipes over the next few days!
My number one tip is to pack a First Day Box of essential household items. It’s usually one of the first boxes I start packing and the last one I tape shut! It’s a lifesaver, because there’s nothing more annoying than opening and riffling through a bunch of boxes looking for a towel (or a spoon…or the remote control…or the screws for the crib…) after a long day of moving.
There’s no one list of things it should contain – whatever you and your family need that first day. Here’s what’s in mine:
- Sheets for all the beds that people will be sleeping in the first night
- Bath towels for everyone, and hand towels for the bathrooms and kitchen
- Hand soap for the kitchen and bathrooms
- Toilet paper for each bathroom
- Paper towels
- Cleaning spray (this Method spray is my favorite!)
- Scissors or a box cutter
- A few trash bags
- Paper plates/cups/napkins/utensils to get you through the first meal or two
- A shower curtain and rings (I like to wash my fabric curtain before I pack it and pack a brand new liner – Marshalls usually has cheap ones!)
- Labeled bags of hardware from taking furniture apart
- Outlet plugs for immediate baby-proofing
Other ideas:
- Coffee maker and coffee supplies
- Nightlight
- TV remotes
- A screwdriver or other tools you need to reassemble furniture (we have a big rolling toolbox so tools are easy to find even if they’re not in the First Day Box)
- New furniture pads for chair legs, etc.
We always fill suitcases with things like toiletries, clothes, phone and computer chargers, and pet supplies and move them in our cars, but if you’re putting EVERYthing in a box, make sure those things are accessible, too! I like to move the First Day Box in a car rather than on the truck if possible, but this time it went to storage with all our other boxes.
Use your Sharpies to make sure this box stands out from the crowd!
What other essentials would you add? Am I still going to be digging through boxes looking for something?? ;o)
1
Very helpful list! I definitely need it for our moving next months. I am so excited, and I am pretty sure that if I don’t have such list I am gonna forget many important things!
I’m glad you found it helpful, Mandy! Good luck with your move!! :o)