What are the Best Tips for Moving over the Festive Period?

If you’ve ever tried to keep on top of Christmas, work, school concerts and visits from relatives, you will know that adding a house move into the mix is a big ask. The good news is that moving in the busy holiday period can feel pretty stress free with some careful planning and a bit of help.

We spend a lot of December in and out of people’s homes, so here are our top tips if you plan to move around Christmas.

Is the festive period a good time of year to move?

For most people, Christmas already has a full calendar of family gatherings, school holidays and work rotas even before a house move is thrown in. 

That said, the holiday season can be the perfect time for people who want to avoid taking extra annual leave. Children are often off school, friends or family are around to help, and you can enjoy your first Christmas in the new place and kick the new year off with a truly fresh start. The trade-off is less daylight, more traffic, and winter weather to think about.

Sorting your moving date around festive plans

Sit down with a calendar and mark up any family gatherings, school or end-of-term events, or work deadlines. Look for a gap where you can focus on the move rather than running from one thing to another. When you know roughly when you are aiming for, speak to your removal company early. December dates can book up quickly, especially at weekends. And check the weather forecast before you lock anything in, so you have a rough idea of how winter might affect your journey. 

Packing and organising for a Christmas move

Nobody wants to arrive at their new house only to realise the decorations are somewhere at the back of the lorry. Pack for the holiday season as its own little project. Put together a separate festive box, and pop in a small tree or a simple decoration, a few favourite mugs, hot chocolate, basic cutlery and plates, and any special presents that you are worried about.

Staying organised is what stops everything turning into a minute rush on moving day. Create a dedicated “moving zone” in the corner of your house and keep all tape, pens and packing materials there. 

When you pack, aim for one room at a time and start with things you won’t need unpacked urgently. If you want more detailed tips for the moving process, We’ve got plenty of guides on decluttering before a move and on staying organised in smaller spaces. 

It’s also a grand idea to create a proper essentials box for the moving day itself. Kettle, tea, phone chargers, toilet roll, cleaning spray, bin bags, warm jumpers and blankets, and your most important documents all earn their place. If you are moving with children, you can also add a few familiar toys or bedtime books to help them settle into your new home.

How will winter weather effect moving house?

Dark mornings and icy roads are part of the festive season, so it is worth planning for them. Before the team arrives, clear your driveway and steps of any leaves, frost or snow. Grit or cat litter on the ground can help stop slips. Inside, old sheets or dust covers over floors protect against mud and melted ice.

If you are driving between properties yourself, leave extra time. It can take much longer to stop in icy or snowy conditions. Main roads are usually treated first, so they are a better bet. The Met Office and National Highways both share live updates and advice on travelling safely in winter weather, which are worth a quick check before you set off. 

Think about the house too. Make sure you know how the heating works ahead of time, so you don’t end up shivering and condensating while puzzling over the boiler. Staying warm is important for everyone’s wellbeing, especially if you have young children, older relatives or anyone with health conditions.

If the forecast is looking rough, keep in touch with your removals company. We move in all sorts of conditions, but sometimes timings need to be tweaked to keep everyone safe.

Letting yourself settle into your new home

Once the move is done, give yourself permission to slow down. There’s no prize for getting every box emptied on the first evening. Take breaks, enjoy a walk in your new neighbourhood, and use the holiday season to get used to your new space.

If you hit a point where you’d like some extra hands, it might be time to rope us in. Let us know the when and what, and we’ll sort a simple quote and a cheery team to turn up on the day.

And if you remember only one thing from all of this, let it be this: a bit of careful planning now makes a huge difference later. Pick a moving date that works with your December plans, protect yourself against winter weather, keep that labelled box of essentials close by, and you will be in a great position to enjoy your first Christmas in your new home, rather than battling a last minute rush.