Aside from hearing All I Want for Christmas is You for like the millionth time in a month, you’ve got other problems this holiday season. No, instead of sugar plum fairies and daydreaming about that new-yet-expensive gift you’re definitely getting, this year, you’ve got to move during the holidays.
Don’t worry. The team at Moving APT has over 20 years of moving experience, and that includes moving during those festive months. In this guide, we’re going to share some pointers to make your holiday moving manageable, plannable, and maybe even enjoyable.
If you’re already stressing out, grab some egg nog, put some extra brandy in it, and keep reading. We’re gonna get you through this one box at a time.
Why Should I Move During the Holidays?
Price. That, and availability. Those are a couple of pretty big motivators, and for most folks who choose holiday moving, that’s what they’re getting out of the extra hassle. Let’s break it down a little further:
- Price: Supply and demand is real. Fortunately, not many people want to deal with a move during the holiday season. This means you’ll be able to score a move for much cheaper than usual (which means more money for gifts and presents).
- Availability: Since most people don’t want to move during the holidays, it means you’re getting some time-slots that are ordinarily booked up right off the bat. It also means there’ll be more movers to choose from, since winter’s a pretty slow season.
- Days Off: This one’s a bit of a bonus, but people get tons of days off for Christmas break. You can use this time to move, with otherwise minimal disruption to your school schedule (whether it’s for your kids, or your own continuing education).
On the surface, holiday moving sounds like a pain. But there are some definite benefits to moving while everyone else is out merry-making. In a way, it’s like you’re gifting yourself a brand new place, and it’s hard to beat that for a Christmas present. But before we get excited about the savings, the days off, and those jealously guarded, primo moving slots, let’s look at the cons of holiday moving, too…
Here’s What Makes Holiday Moving Harder
There’s a reason holiday moving isn’t super popular. Here are the biggest cons (and a few protips to make them less awful for you).
- The Traffic: Of course, the traffic is just about the worst part. You’ve got tons of people in town for the holidays, and none of them know how to drive. The solution? Book your move for way early in the morning – or even overnight, if possible.
- The Weather: A white Christmas is picturesque, but it’s no fun for moving. You may want to contact full service movers who can do the loading, hauling, and transportation no matter the weather. You can also look into climate-controlled trailers and storage.
- The Other Holiday Chores: You’ll have to balance your move with a bunch of other chores, like buying gifts and doing a bunch of wrapping. We recommend taking care of this stuff when you book your movers (2 – 3 months in advance).
- The Family Obligations: This was gonna be a problem whether you were moving or not. You’ll also have to make time for your family, friends, and everyone else you care about. Some moving methods let you pack and move at your own pace (see below).
Tips and Tricks for Holiday Moving
Moving during the holidays is possible, but you’ll need a toolbox full of tips and tricks to make it actually tolerable. Here’s some advice from folks who’ve been there before.
- Downsize first: We always tell our customers to do this. The less crap you have to move, the less money you have to pay. Besides, when you dig through all your old and unused items, you’re sure to find something you can regift! (Here’s how to downsize effectively.)
- Make a list of services: And check it twice. When you plan your move, write down a wish list of all the must-have services that’ll make your life easier. This will help you narrow down all the potential moving companies when you…
- Book early: We’re talking two, three months in advance. It seems excessive, but try to remember that by booking ahead, you’re saving even more money – and you’re more likely to get the services and time slots you really want. (Check our moving checklist to stay organized.)
- Wrap before you pack: You don’t want to spoil the surprise. If you’ve got gifts for friends and family, make sure they’re all wrapped up in case any of those friends or family members swing by to help out. (In which case, you really better have a gift for them.)
- Keep your decor in a separate box: This way, you can decorate ASAP. Keep your boxes organized and compartmentalized, and keep your holiday decor someplace that’s easy to access so you can get in the festive spirit before you unpack everything else.
- Pack an essentials bag: Speaking of boxing up your stuff, take your everyday essentials and pack ‘em in one easy-to-access suitcase. You’ll be living outta this backpack for a while, so make sure you’ve got toiletries, a few changes of clothes, etc.
- Throw a Christmas Party: Or a Hanukkah party. Or a Kwanzaa party. Or a festivus party. Look, just get people to show up for a good time – and then draft them into helping out with the packing.
Move Easier During the Holidays with these Moving Services
1. Moving Containers
Earlier, we mentioned moving at your own pace. Here’s how choosing the right moving services makes all the difference.
2. Fragile Item Handling/Specialty Moving
Think of all those fragile ornaments you have to move. Now, think about how you’re going to actually pack all that stuff. If you thought a couple of old Iron Maiden t-shirts was enough to keep your heirloom ornaments and fancy china from breaking… well, we wouldn’t bet on it.
Fragile items require trained hands and a ton of fancy equipment. Especially if you get into the whole “specialty moving” side of things. Pool tables, artwork, pianos, it’s all high-value, and it all takes some extra TLC.
That’s why we recommend booking specialty item handling if you’re building a custom move. Hire a team that knows their way around all this expensive and fragile stuff, and avoid a holiday heartbreak.
3. Moving Labor
Moving labor is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. You hire a team of movers, and they take care of the heavy lifting. There’s a couple of reasons you may want to choose moving labor for holiday relocations:
- Discretion: You can coerce your loved ones into helping out with the loading and hauling, but there’s a chance they’ll see the gifts you bought them. Don’t want to spoil the surprise? Hire outside help.
- Tools and equipment: Yeah, you could buy a furniture dolly or two, but wouldn’t you rather use that money for presents? For a few extra bucks, you get a furniture dolly and a guy that knows how to use it. Plus, you don’t clutter your new place with one-time tools.
- An affordable approach: Moving labor may be an extra expense, but you’re still saving money compared to full service moving. When you hire moving labor, you’re still DIYing most of your move. You’re just getting extra hands for the hard stuff.
4. Storage
Storage isn’t just extra space, it’s extra time. Holiday season is always tough for planning and scheduling. If you’ve got a family trip you absolutely have to take before you can get unpacked, have your items sent to secure, on-site storage until you’re back at your new place. Look into full service storage so you can have your stuff delivered straight to your door!
PS: Some people use storage as a more permanent solution. It’s not uncommon for folks to book a small storage locker, and load it up with seasonal decor. This way, it’s not taking up actual closet space at your house – and since it’s a small storage locker, it won’t cost too much, either.
5. Full Service Moving
Full service moving is about the fanciest you can get. When you book these guys, you won’t have to do any packing, wrapping, or transporting at all. This is a seriously hands-off process, since your movers wll take care of every step of the move. While it’s definitely the most expensive option, it’s also the most convenient.
Why is full service moving the best choice for moving during the holidays? Easy. Instead of packing boxes, you’ll have all the time in the world to spend with friends and family.
Instead of long-haul trucking, you can visit your folks and focus on having fun. And instead of the stress of moving day creeping into your holidays, you get the pure excitement of knowing you’re heading to a brand new place with minimal fuss.
Book Your Holiday Move with Moving APT
Holiday moving doesn’t have to be a hassle. With Moving APT, you can book the exact services you need to keep you holly and jolly well into the new year (especially if full service moving is on the menu).
Whether you need storage, packing, or just some extra hands for the heavy lifting, Moving APT is here to help. We’ve even made it easier to get a free quote before you get started. Check out our moving cost calculator today, and let’s take the stress out of your holiday moving!
Holiday Moving FAQs
When is peak moving season?
June through August, but that’s not a hard and fast rule. Peak moving season used to be during the summer, pretty much whenever the kids were out of school. Now, however, we’re seeing inflated pricing during May and September also.
If you want to avoid peak pricing (and peak competition for those much-desired time slots), try to book a move that’s in the middle of the week, and the middle of the month. You don’t want to deal with weekend prices or those mini price hikes that happen when leases run out. Holiday moving can be a little hit or miss; just make sure you’re moving before winter break!
How much does moving cost?
Long distance moving costs anywhere from $400 to over $10,000. We know that’s a huge window. Fortunately, you won’t have to pay $10,000 if you’re moving small.
Moving costs largely depend on how far you’re traveling and how much stuff you have to move in the first place. Downsize before you shop for quotes, and you’ll knock tons of cash off your final price.
Do I need moving insurance?
Yes. Don’t be cheap. Basic coverage is complimentary, but it’s only good for like $0.60 per pound of damaged, destroyed, or missing belongings. Shell out a little extra for full value insurance, and you’ll be reimbursed the actual market price of anything that gets broken in transit. Accidents are rare, but you’ll be thankful for the extra coverage if anything happens.
What is flat-rate moving?
When a mover offers flat rate moving, it means they won’t adjust your price before, during, or after moving day. Make sure they offer a binding estimate (sometimes known as a binding quote) so you have more to trust than just their word.
Flat rate moving is great, because you always know what you’re paying and what you’re getting. Whatever’s on the quote is whatever you’ll pay. However, there’s no discount if it turns out you have less to move than expected. This is why we recommend downsizing first, and then shopping for quotes.
Is DIY moving worth it?
DIY moving is really only worth it if you stay absolutely disciplined through the whole process. First of all, you’ll have to shop smart for all your packing supplies.
You’ll also have to rent a truck at a decent rate (which takes plenty of shopping), and you’ll need to map your route with efficiency and gas prices in mind.
If you have to travel for more than a day, you’ll also need to plan out your food and lodging. And on top of all that, you may be missing paychecks!
We’re not trying to completely discourage DIY, and if you want to make your move into a road trip, more power to you. Just remember that it’s not always as cheap as you’d expect – and for a few extra bucks, you can hire pro movers to take care of the whole thing.
