The Essentials...Don't Leave Home Without Them!

Moving causes an inevitable upset of your life, your routine, etc.  One thing I've always found to minimize as much stress during the last few days at the old home and the first few days at the new one is to pack a box that carries pretty much everything you may need during that time period.  Although you may not be able to pack all the comforts of home in the box (sorry...your luxury pillow-top bed won't fit!), at least you won't be running out to the store at midnight for toothpaste or something else seemingly mundane but necessary!

One suggestion before you start packing your essentials box is to take a 24-48 hour period of time and jot down all the things you use and really can't (or don't want) to live without.  These things should go in the box!  Here are some suggestions to get you started....I'm laughing as I write this, thinking about the funny stories of the times I've moved and NOT had some of these things in my essentials box.

Personal Items:

• Toilet paper
• Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush/toothpaste, floss (for all you hardcore dental people who can't go a couple days without it), hairbrush)
• Small first-aid kit
• Shower Curtain - learned this one the hard way!!
• A couple bath towels
• A couple changes of clothes
• Pillow/blanket in case you have a long car-ride ahead of you

Food / Kitchen-Related Items:

• Paper plates, cups, utensils
• Paper towels
• Instant coffee
• Snacks
• Beverages (for yourself, and some for your movers, if you're so inclined)
• Bottle opener / corkscrew (don't laugh...this could be one of the most valuable items you have after a long day of packing/moving!!)
• Pet food & dishes
• Garbage bags
• Dish towel & dish cloth
• Dish soap

Utility Items:

• Scissors and/or box-cutter for opening boxes
• Felt-tip marker and extra roll of packing tape (for those last-minute boxes)
• Portable tool kit
• Flashlight, candles/matches
• Radio/iPod/mp3 player (more of an entertainment need, but no less essential than anything else, really!!)

While you can't eliminate all the inconvenience of moving, hopefully this list will at least keep you functioning during the move.  Oh...one last thing...make sure you have the phone number of your favorite take-out place...all your cooking stuff will be packed!!

Happy moving!  BoxCart would love to help you plan and complete your move to your new home.  Call BoxCart today for a quote (703) 263-3300 or email us at info@boxcart.com.