Items to Set Aside for Moving Day

So you’re packing up to move. You’ve hired a moving company, and now you can’t wait to have everything packed and off your hands, right? Wrong—there are some belongings its best to move yourself, and some items that certain companies will refuse to move.

Things to move yourself fall under two categories: precious items and an Essentials Kit.

PRECIOUS ITEMS
Precious items refer not only to belongings of a high monetary value, but also to important documents and personal treasures that you could not live without. Here are some examples:

• Medicine (may also go in essential kit, depending on if you may need it the day of the move)
• Car keys, house keys, etc.
• Personal documents (passports, birth certificates, insurance papers, marriage licenses, etc.)
• Precious photos
• Jewelry
• Antiques—Depending on the antique in question, you may want to inquire about whether or not your moving company caters to moving specialty items. If it is smaller or if you just have a gut feeling that you’d prefer to keep it on you, then do so.
• Children’s artwork or academic accomplishments

ESSENTIALS KIT
Here you will place everything you and, if you aren’t moving alone, your family will need the day of the move. Instead of ripping many boxes open to get the few things you need, its best to already have them set aside, allowing you to proceed with opening boxes one by one, as you are ready to put their contents away.

• Cleaning supplies: pardon me, you may be asking, but do you really expect me to clean on my first day in my new home? Yes—and once you get there, it’s almost certain you will want to, too. Bring rubber gloves, disinfectant, a vacuum, broom, rags/paper towels, garbage bags, and a mop. Be sure to get as much cleaning done as you can before you begin to unpack.
• Packing supplies: pardon me again, you are surely asking, but isn’t this part over yet? No kids—we’re not there yet! You never know when you may need to open a box, reseal it, or make new labels. You’ll need the labels, for instance, to label every room of your new home. These labels will correspond to the rooms you have already marked on your boxes. This way, everyone knows where every box goes, easy peasy! Some people like to get an apron to wear on moving day (and during packing) where they can keep these supplies ready at hand: labels, markers, packing tape, and any other small objects you may need at a moment’s notice. You can also have your item checklist here, which is inventory of every box, its contents, and any notes about items that are already slightly damaged. You check the boxes off as they are moved into your new home and have been assessed for damages. With the moving apron you get moved quicker, and have to move less! If you feel silly about wearing an apron, keep in mind that the effect it will have will be just the opposite; as any chef will tell you, everyone listens to the person in the apron. Moreover, if you approach your movers with your own inventory list of your belongings strapped to your body, your darned right that will earn you respect!
• Basic food: You will want to put aside those few non-perishable food item must-haves for the day of. Coffee, powdered milk, cereal, etc. You can also put aside dishwashing soap, a few plates, cups, and pieces of cutlery (or you may prefer to get disposable dishware for your convenience). If you want to break in your home with a home cooked meal on moving day, you will want to put aside few other kitchen basics such as dishwashing soap, a spatula, sharp knife, etc.
• Clothing: If you have children, this one is even more important. Put aside at least 2 sets of clothing for everyone in your household (one to wear the day of the move and one to wear the next day), as well as pyjamas, undergarments, and socks.
• Hygienic items: For personal items you will need a bathroom basics bag. Here you place everyone’s toothbrushes, toilet paper, towels, etc.
• Teddies/blankies: I once made my parents drive cross country to retrieve a left behind “Sleepy Teddy.” Make sure that top comfort items are set aside for your wee ones during their big day—take care that your loved one’s “Sleepy Teddy” doesn’t sleep through the move. Have your children pack up a very small bag for the trip themselves (supervised)—kids love this, it will entertain them for the whole ride, as well as help them transition to their new environment. Also, this way, kids can “think outside of the box[es]” when they’re looking for things to play with on moving day. You can let them choose a small snack and various toys, etc

And that’s everything you’ll need for moving day, except a good night’s sleep! Which reminds me—If you have children, be sure to inform them that it’s not Christmas morning, and the boxes are not be ripped open all at once or climbed upon—boxes are to be opened one at a time with Mommy or Daddy’s permission.