I thought I would touch on this topic because it happens to many people. Your settlement date is right before the holiday season. What do you do, cancel the holidays? Not decorate? No, you plan for it! When you have a plan, you know what you need to do. I am some suggestions which might make it easier.

• If possible, schedule the movers for the middle of the week. Sometimes they offer discounts for mid-week moves. If you move on a weekend – especially a holiday weekend, you may spend more!
• Pack your holiday decorations, gifts, wrapping paper, holiday outfits, etc in their own boxes. These will be the first boxes you begin unpacking when you move. Normally you are looking in several boxes to track things down. This will keep it all together so you can literally move during the day and be dressed for an event that evening or set up your decorations the next day.
• Tighten your spending. It is easy to get caught up in the holiday shopping deals, but when you are in the midst of a move it is best to track your spending to be prepared for an additional expense which creeps up with moving such as blinds, curtains, new cleaning supplies, and grocery shopping.
• Prepare for the weather. We always hope it will be a beautiful 70-degree day out there, but in December anything can spring up. Know where your warmer clothes are and your movers. Snow and ice will impact your move date and time.
• Tax season is approaching so consider donating things no longer needed or wanted for a text write off!
• Got school-age children? Make sure you have requested the necessary transfer paperwork from their school to be delivered to their new school. School systems shut down over the winter break. You don’t want to have to wait to have your children start after school has already resumed. If within the same county the school should be able to send it over for you.

Whatever day you move, make sure to leave some downtime to enjoy the season. The unpacking will come with time and you will surely deserve some holiday time relaxation.