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How to Pack a First Night Box2/23/2023  How to Pack a First Night BoxDid you just purchase a new home and you’re starting to pack everything to begin the moving process? Are you wondering how you will find everything on your first night in your new home? Moving to a new home can be overwhelming but with a little planning, our first night moving box checklist should help. And trust me, you do not want to miss packing this box because depending on the size of your home and amount of your belongings, it could take weeks to unpack everything and you don’t want to be stressed looking for stuff you really need.
So what is a first night box? It’s a box or two of the essentials you will need for the first couple of days at your new house. I usually make one for every room for good measure, but one box or two could work if you don’t have that much stuff. This list will help keep your move stress free. The first thing to know about your first night box is to pack it in your car or truck, not the moving van. That way you will know exactly where it is upon arrival at your new home. Another thing is to label it with a bright colored tape or marker in large letters that says first night box bathroom or first night box cleaning supplies. If you’re flying or there’s no room in your vehicle for your first night box or boxes, just be sure to load them very last in the moving truck so they will be first out of the truck and the movers can set them aside somewhere for you to find first. Another great way to find your first night box easily is to pack it in a different type of box. For example, if you’re moving with cardboard boxes, put your first night box in a plastic tub or suitcase so it will be easy to identify. So, what do you put in your first night box or boxes? Here are some ideas to pack for your move. Another thing to do after looking over this list is to think of stuff you use everyday, from waking to going to bed. Nobody wants to be searching for their toothbrush or their dogs favorite toy the first day at their new home. CLEANING SUPPLIES Some homes are move in ready (yay!), but some need a little TLC. This is why we urge everyone to pack some basic cleaning supplies and a couple of basic tools in your first night box. Broom Box cutter or scissors Cleaning solution Dish Soap Dust Pan Hammer Light Bulbs Paper towels or cleaning rags Plastic Gloves Screwdriver Trash Bags Vaccuum BATHROOM There’s nothing that will stress you out more than moving all day and then not being able to find stuff to take a shower to wash off a long day. This is why it’s a great idea to pack your essential bathroom items in your first night box. Bath towels Conditioner Cosmetics Dental floss First aid kit Hair Dryer Hair Straightener or curler Shampoo Shower Curtain & shower curtain rings Soap Toilet paper Toothbrush Toothpaste Washrag or Loofa BEDROOM After a long day of moving, there’s nothing you want more than to fall right into bed. That’s why it’s a good idea to pack a first night box for your bedroom. And most movers will set up your bed for you if you just ask (we always do this for our customers if they say it’s ok because getting sleep during moving in is critical to stay stress free.) Be sure to add a first night box to each additional person’s bedroom too. Air mattress (if you will arrive at your new home before your bed does) Air mattress pump (if needed) Blanket Clothes for a few days Fan or sound machine Mattress protector Pajamas Pillows Pillowcases Sheets PETS Bed Bones Crate Food Food and water dish Leash or harness Toys Treat FOOD If you bought or are renting a home, it will hopefully have a refrigerator that is already plugged up and running. But if not, think about if you will need to keep any food cold or research places to eat in your new city, which is also a great way to get to know your new neighborhood. Can opener Disposable dishes such as plates, forks, spoons and cups Easy to eat food and portable snacks such as peanut butter, chips, granola bars, beef jerkey, trail mix, crackers, etc…. Microwave Paper towels Sippy cups, bottles or bibs if you have children Water PERSONAL ITEMS Chargers for electronics Children’s tablets or books Children’s favorite toys Checkbooks and debit cars Electronics such as Ipad or laptop Extra batteries if anything you really need uses them Important documents or files you may need for your move (insurance policies, title documents) Medications and prescriptions CHILDREN Baby food or formula Bibs Blanket Bottles Carrier Clothing Pajamas Diapers Diaper wipes Pacifiers Sippy Cup Stroller Tablets Toys I hope this list helps keep your move stress free! Just be sure to make sure you either take these boxes in your own vehicle or pack them last on the moving truck so you can set them aside somewhere as soon as you get to your new home. If you need more moving tips, check out our blog. And if you’re moving out of state or in Arkansas, give me a call for a free quote.
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Packing Tips2/23/2023  Gather Supplies
Before you even begin packing up your home, you need to purchase or gather packing and moving supplies. If you don’t have time for this step, let us know and we can send them to you. Here’s a few things you will need: Boxes (you can buy these or get them from your local grocery or liquor store but cardboard boxes designed for moving really are the best way to keep everything safe in the truck) Bubble wrap or a dish pack kit and gas pack kit (you can also use clothes, blankets, towels to keep your breakables safe) Labels Markers Packing paper or newspaper Packing tape Tape dispenser for packing tape Plastic tubs if you don’t want to use boxes Stretch plastic wrap (if you skip this part, we always bring it and wrap all of your furniture anyways) Furniture pads (we will also bring these, but you are welcome to get extra just in case or use your own) Box cutter Take pictures Do you have anything you need to disassemble that has a bunch of wires or cords such as electronics, computers, televisions? Be sure to take pictures of how these cords and wires are set up so when you move you won’t have to guess. When it’s time to start packing The earlier you start packing, the better and easier it will be for you on moving day. The best thing is to start early by packing out of season items and stuff that you use infrequently. Little by little = a lot Pack a little at a time. If you’re moving in a month or two and pack one box a day, you will be all packed before the big day! Plus waiting until the last moment can be overwhelming. Just work on all the “extra” stuff you don’t use that often and pack one room at a time. Another advantage of starting early is if you run out of packing supplies, you will have plenty of time to run out, get some more, and finish packing everything before the movers get there. If you’re not done packing and need help though, we can help with that too! Room by room It’s best to pack one room at a time, that way you won’t get overwhelmed or lose your focus. Just pack a couple of boxes each day and this will add up over time and get your ready for the big day. A good way to keep track of each room is to use a different color marker or a different color tape for each room and be sure to label all the boxes on multiple sides. Which box do I use? Remember that it’s best to pack heavier items in smaller boxes or add light stuff in boxes with heavy items. That way you won’t hurt yourself when you’re unpacking and moving boxes around later. If you have large boxes, pack lighter stuff in there like pillows and things that don’t weigh a lot. Be sure to use small boxes for any breakable items like electronics, glass or dishes and label the boxes FRAGILE. A good way to keep dishes safe is to add clothes or towels and dish rags around them for safe travels. Be sure to also pad the bottom of each fragile box. Try to get each box as full as possible because they will be stacked in the moving truck. Another great way to ensure everything is moved safely is to pack in plastic bins with lids. Anything unbreakable items that are in a dresser doesn’t have to be packed in a box, we can just wrap the entire dresser up so the drawers stay in tact during your move. Secure, Label, Organize Once your boxes are full, be sure to use plenty of tape to secure the tops and bottoms of the boxes. Label the boxes by room and if you have somewhere to start stacking everything (like a garage) that is helpful. Otherwise, just stack the boxes in the corner of each room where they will be easy to access on moving day. If you have large items you have to take apart like furniture, be sure to take off the hardware, put it in a plastic bag, and secure it to that particular piece of furniture so you don’t lose it later on moving and re-assembly day. Items to pack in your own vehicle There are some items you may need on your trip, since you may not be moving at the same time as the moving van. Here are some suggestions of what to pack into your own vehicle and not the moving truck. Cash, credit cards, checkbooks Electronics and mobile chargers Family photos or heirlooms Important personal papers like deeds, wills, bonds, stocks, etc…. Insurance policies Mobile phone Moving documents or reservations Official ID or passport Photo albums Perishable food items or alcoholic beverages Prescriptions Sentimental items Toothbrush, shampoo, soap and personal items Valuable Jewelry or collections Non-allowable items Some items can be moved in your personal vehicle, but are not allowed to be moved on the interstate across state lines in a moving truck. Pack these items in a box and be sure to put them in your vehicle and not to be put in the moving van. These items include: Ammunition or gun powder Auto repair chemicals Chemicals or poison Firearms Fireworks Flammable or explosive items Gasoline Illegals items or substances Kerosene Lighter Fluid Live animals or plants Matches Nail Polish or nail polish remover Oxygen bottles Paint or paint thinner Propane tanks Radio pharmaceuticals |
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