How to Pack Seasonal Décor Before You Move

When you pack away seasonal decorations, it’s tempting to throw everything in. But if you know you’re making a household move within a year, you need to take care.

No one wants to pack twice. And you definitely don’t want everything to arrive in shards.

If you have a head start on the move, now’s the time to take advantage. Use these tips to keep your décor compact and secure for your move.

Test Your Decorations

The best time to pack your decorations is right after the season. This way, you know what works and what you should toss out.

If you’re starting to pack items that you haven’t used in a while, take a moment to inspect them. After all, a broken string of lights in your old home isn’t going to fix itself.

If you want to repair anything before you pack it, give yourself plenty of time. You may need a week or more to get new bulbs, fix wiring, or glue a ceramic item back together.

Thin Out Unwanted Décor

People tend to move more things than they expected. This is partly because they keep more than they want.

If your décor doesn’t reflect your current life, it’s time to rethink it. A little decluttering could save you time in packing and unpacking.

Make a pile for things you want to keep and other piles to donate or give away. Fewer boxes for your move can be the biggest win.

Use Original Boxes

Many seasonal decorations come in boxes that you can keep for storage. That holiday tree might be a pain to get into a small package, but it takes up a lot less space.

The original boxes also help to keep things in ideal condition. For any glass or ceramic items, the box may be your best protection.

This is a good general rule to follow, but it doesn’t always apply. If you have damaged or oversized boxes, feel free to use an alternative.

Aim for Organization

Even if you use the original containers, you might need to place things into larger boxes or bins for transport. Try to keep it organized so that you can find what you need later on.

As moving day approaches, you may think about tossing everything in to sort out when you arrive. But all this does is set aside stress for later.

This year, give yourself the gift of clarity. If you have several boxes for a single holiday, be specific about what goes in each one.

Add Extra Protection

Since many seasonal decorations are delicate, you want them to show up as you packed them. For this, you’re going to need additional protection.

The best way to pack glass or other breakable materials involves extra padding. Bubble wrap is great, but you can also rely on packing paper or newspaper.

Labeling can also help to protect your décor from damage. Noting that certain boxes are fragile reminds moving professionals to take extra care.

Are you getting ready to move soon? Get your seasonal décor in line right now. With this advice, you’ll have better holidays to come.

Contact us for moving help! We can help get you into your new home.

Moving? 7 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

More than 35.5 million Americans move each year, which can leave a huge carbon footprint across the nation. If you plan to move and are eco-friendly, our moving professionals offer these tips for a greener transition to your new home.

1. Donate Unneeded Household Items

There’s an added benefit to packing early: you can eliminate things you don’t want or use anymore. This not only lessens your packing time, but it creates a lighter load that will use less fuel during transport. Make arrangements to donate the household items you no longer need or want.

2. Use Recycled or Repurposed Boxes

Using free boxes that you get from local retailers and other sources is optimal. However, you might need to buy some, so choose recycled boxes that reduce your carbon footprint. You can likely even find a box rental company where you can pick some up and return them after use.

A few good companies save boxes from ending up in landfills and offer them at discount prices. They usually ship fast, are affordable, and provide kits with tape, markers, and recycled packing paper. Some of the boxes are actually new but misprints, so they can be picked up relatively inexpensively, too.

Your professional mover might offer gently used boxes, so check with them as well.

3. Pack in Containers You Have On Hand

Most people have plastic containers already in use within the home, so use those before reaching for boxes. Be resourceful by packing things in coolers, laundry baskets, and don’t forget about using extra suitcases.

Plastic boxes can also be rented and returned to reduce waste. Use soft items like pillows and sheets for padding fragile items instead of paper when possible. As you pack, you’ll discover several clever packing hacks to reduce your space needs.

4. Choose Natural Packing Materials

Avoid buying plastic wrap for furnishings as much as possible. Instead, protect your belongings during the move with Eco-friendly materials or items you have access to already. Sheets or plain muslin material is excellent for wrapping mattresses and furnishings you don’t want to be scratched. Moving blankets and pads are also reusable and are invaluable when moving furniture.

5. Recycle Moving Materials After Unpacking

Be sure to repurpose or recycle all paper and packing cubes along with boxes. Find a friend to give them to, donate them, or go online to find someone who needs them for an upcoming move. Recycling companies often have guidelines you must follow before bringing in items, so be prepared before heading to the facility.

6. Minimize Trips Back and Forth

Do your best to keep trips made to the new house as minimal as possible for a local or nearby move. If you hire a van or moving company, moves often occur with one trip, especially if you pack your personal vehicle, too. Using less fuel and sourcing fewer emissions supports a green move.

7. Hire a Green-Minded Professional Moving Company

If you’re hiring movers to assist you with packing or hauling goods for you, inquire about their environmental processes and credentials. While they might not be a fully green operation, many companies now use Eco-friendly vehicles and sell recycled boxes and supplies.

We Are Here to Ease Your Move!

Are you planning a move? Let our professional movers talk to you about our operation before you make a decision. Contact us today for more information.