Most people don’t even know how many household objects are in their possession until the packing day comes. However, very few of these items could be considered moving essentials – the ones most important during your cross-country move. Take a look at our list of relocation necessities and see what to pack for the first few days in the new home. Remember – forgetting some of them could make one perfect day turn into a nightmare.
Relocation Essentials for the Packing Process – Pre-Relocation Necessities to Think About
When thinking about moving essentials, the first thing that usually comes to one’s mind is those objects needed for the relocation day and a short period after it. But what should you get for the preparation period? Considering that you can hardly pack your belongings without packing supplies, ensure to have the following essentials:
- Boxes in various sizes,
- Wrapping and padding material, such as packing paper or bubble wrap. You can also use clothes, towels, and blankets you have at home, especially for padding the boxes,
- Packing tape,
- Markers for labeling,
- Scissors.
Different kinds of relocation to-do lists can also be considered necessities if you aim to have a more organized and less stressful move. Ensure to list every task that should be done and their preferable order, but also make a household inventory list for each of your boxes so you can track easily where your belongings are.
Prepare a Special Box for the Relocation Day Necessities
What are those items you can’t live without in everyday life? The answer to your question will probably represent everything you’ll need to pack in a bag for your essentials. Remember to always have it with you and not give it to the movers from the moving company you hired. Each person has a specific set of needs, but here is what should be found in the essential bag in general:
- Medications – if you have prescribed meds that you take each day, ensure that they are by your side all the time. Also, it would be good to have some painkillers and nausea medication, just in case.
- Documents – all your important paperwork needs to travel with you. Your birth certificates, medical records, bank statements, and tax records will be the safest in the essential box. Not only will the risk of losing them be reduced, but you’ll also be safer regarding possible identity theft.
- Electronic devices and their charges – laptops, mobile phones, and other electronics are probably objects you won’t forget to pack in the box that goes with you because, if you’re like most people, you use them all the time. However, double-check if you have all the chargers and other components with you.
- Most needed toiletries, bedding, and change of clothing – this is especially important when it comes to cross-country moving when there is a significant period of time before you get from your old home to the new one. Also, remember that you will likely reach your new home before your belongings do, so have enough clothes for that period, too.
Why Are Entertainment Items a Must When Traveling Between Homes?
With such a stressful experience as relocation, you need to have something by your side that will help your highly occupied mind rest a little bit. Books, games, or any other means of entertainment will take your mind off overthinking if you’ve forgotten anything, if all utilities have been canceled, or what awaits you when you get to your future home.
And even if entertainment is a matter of preference for adults, it is an absolute necessity when it comes to children. The relocation process can often cause anxiety in the minds of kids, especially if they’re not fully aware of what’s going on. So make sure that they have toys by their side that will provide them with some comfort and fun.
Moving Essentials You’ll Need After the Relocation Day
Moving into your new house and having to go through many boxes to find everything you need for the first few days is very impractical. That is why you should also consider packing a separate box with objects that will help your first few days be smooth and stress-free.
Each Room Demands Necessities of Its Own
When deciding what to pack for the days after the relocation, go through each room and assess what you want to have close after moving in so you can function properly. For example, you’ll need to pack a plate, glass, and a bowl for each family member when it comes to the kitchen, and you’ll need toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, and toilet paper in the new bathroom. And if you want to rest after the hard relocation day, don’t forget to pack some bedding for each bedroom.
Overpacking – The Main Mistake When Packing Necessities
When deciding what to pack among the essentials, boxing up more than you actually need or will use happens more often than you would think. In that case, separating necessities from other items almost loses its point. Ending up with more boxes whose contents you need to search to find what you want is the opposite of what you want to achieve, so make sure to pick your essentials wisely.
Enjoy Your New Home and Having Everything You Need At Your Fingertips
Thinking about objects that will be useful during and shortly after the relocation will save you a lot of trouble afterward. It will provide you with the possibility to relax for a few days and not dive into unpacking right away. Instead, use that time to explore your new city and plan everything that you will do in the near future. It is undoubtedly more exciting than searching for your plates or chargers, right?
