Moving is both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. You will undoubtedly have a lot of boxes to unpack. After a long day of transferring items between houses, the last thing you’ll want to do is search for the necessities for your first night in your new place. Packing a “first-night” box with all the essentials needed for the first 24 hours in your new place will help relieve the unwanted stress of searching through boxes after a busy day.
A Clean Home is a Happy Home
You’ll want to give your new place a good scrub down before you settle in for the night. Pack a kit that includes gloves, bleach, dish soap, sponges, dust rags, furniture polish, and trash bags. Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathrooms, since they are often the most used areas. Don’t forget hand soap so you can wash up after you finish cleaning.
Fuel Your Body
Moving requires lifting lots of boxes and heavy furniture. While it’s easy to order a pizza in a pinch, packing a kit with non-perishable, healthy foods will keep your body going longer without making you feel sluggish like greasy foods do. Include granola bars, dried fruits, nuts, pretzels, and jerky. Also pack plenty of water to stay hydrated and instant coffee to keep you awake if you work late into the night.
Avoid doing dishes by packing plastic or paper plates, napkins, cups, and utensils. This will save time, especially if your new home doesn’t have a dishwasher.
Toiletries and Clothes
After a day of moving, you will want to take a shower and change your clothes before going to bed. Include a kit with everything you need to complete your nightly routine. Items like shower gel, soap, shampoo, conditioner, washcloths, towels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, and floss are necessities. If your shower doesn’t have doors, also pack a shower curtain.
You most likely won’t have time to unpack all your clothes, so set aside pajamas and an outfit for the next day for each family member.
A Good Night’s Sleep
Once you are finally in your pajamas for the night, all you will want to do is crawl into bed and fall fast asleep. That won’t be possible if the bed isn’t made yet. Pack sheets, pillowcases, and blankets for all the beds. If you haven’t set up the bedroom furniture yet, use an air mattress or create a makeshift bed out of the couch for the night.
You will be glad that you packed a box of essentials and won’t have to sift through boxes late at night. After a good night’s rest in your new home, you will be ready to tackle the next day that is sure to be filled with more unpacking, organizing, and decorating.