The holiday season is magical, but it’s also one of the most stressful times of year. Now add moving to the mix, and you have a recipe for complete overwhelm.
Whether your move is planned or unexpected, relocating during the holidays presents unique challenges. You’re juggling packing boxes with wrapping presents, coordinating movers around family gatherings, and trying to maintain some sense of holiday cheer while living in chaos.
The good news? With the right strategies, you can successfully move during the holidays without sacrificing your sanity or your celebrations.
Why People Move During the Holidays
Most people don’t choose to move during the holidays. It usually happens for unavoidable reasons.
Common Holiday Move Scenarios:
- Lease ending December 31st
- New job starting in January
- Home closing that couldn’t be delayed
- Military orders or corporate transfers
- Family emergencies
- Taking advantage of lower moving rates
If you’re in this situation, you’re not alone. Many people move during the holidays, and with proper planning, you can make it work.
The Unexpected Benefits of Holiday Moving
Advantages of Moving in December:
Lower Moving Costs: December is one of the slowest months for moving companies. You’ll find better rates and more availability than during peak summer months.
More Flexible Movers: With fewer moves scheduled, your moving company can be more accommodating with dates and times.
Cooler Weather: Moving in Orlando’s December weather (typically 60-75°F) is far more pleasant than the 90+ degree heat and humidity of summer.
Time Off Work: Many people have vacation days or office closures around the holidays, giving you time to pack and unpack without using PTO.
Fresh Start: There’s something symbolic about starting the new year in a new home.
Post-Holiday Sales: Moving right after Christmas means you can take advantage of huge sales on furniture and home goods for your new space.
The Two-Calendar Strategy
The key to a successful holiday move is managing two calendars: your moving timeline and your holiday obligations.
Create Your Moving Calendar
Week 1 (Thanksgiving Week):
- Contact moving companies for quotes
- Begin decluttering storage areas
- Order packing supplies
Week 2 (Early December):
- Book your moving company
- Start packing non-essential items
- Change address with post office
Week 3 (Mid-December):
- Pack most rooms except kitchen and daily essentials
- Confirm moving date
- Plan for holiday decorations
Week 4 (Pre-Holiday):
- Pack kitchen and remaining items
- Do final walkthrough of current home
Moving Week:
- Execute your move
- Basic unpacking of essentials
- Set up beds and bathroom
Create Your Holiday Calendar
List all your non-negotiable holiday commitments:
- Family gatherings and dinners
- Children’s school events or performances
- Religious services or traditions
- Work holiday parties
The Rule: Don’t schedule packing or moving tasks during these protected times. Build your moving schedule around your holiday commitments, not the other way around.
Maintaining Holiday Traditions During a Move
Your move doesn’t mean abandoning all holiday traditions. You just need to adapt them.
Simplified Holiday Decorating
At Your Current Home: Skip elaborate decorations this year. Instead:
- Display one small tree or menorah
- Hang a wreath on the door
- Set up a few favorite decorations that pack easily
- Focus on meaningful items rather than volume
At Your New Home: Don’t feel pressured to fully decorate immediately. Set up one festive area to create holiday atmosphere without overwhelming yourself.
Adapting Holiday Meals
Simplify Your Menu: This is not the year for your most elaborate holiday meal. Consider:
- Ordering prepared sides from grocery stores
- Hosting a potluck where guests bring dishes
- Celebrating at a restaurant
- Doing a simplified version of your traditional meal
Pack a Holiday Meal Kit: Create a box with everything needed for one holiday meal: special dishes, serving pieces, tablecloth. Label it clearly and transport it yourself.
Embrace Paper Plates: For this one year, disposable plates might be your sanity-saver. No one will judge you.
Keeping Kids’ Traditions Alive
Involve Children in Packing: Let kids pack their rooms and decorate moving boxes with holiday stickers. Make it fun rather than stressful.
Maintain Key Traditions: Identify the 2-3 traditions that matter most to your children and protect those no matter what.
Create New Traditions: Frame the move as an opportunity to start new holiday traditions in your new home.
Keep Holiday Magic Alive: Make sure kids know where gifts will be (old house or new house) and that Santa/holiday figures know where to find them.
Packing Strategies for Holiday Moves
The Three-Box System
Box 1: Holiday Essentials Items you need for celebrations between now and moving day:
- Gifts (wrapped or unwrapped)
- Wrapping supplies you’re still using
- Special holiday dishes
- Important decorations
Label this clearly and keep it easily accessible.
Box 2: Holiday Storage Decorations and items you’re done using this season. Pack carefully and label by holiday and room.
Box 3: Gifts Received As you receive gifts, immediately place them in a designated box. This prevents losing presents in the moving chaos.
Smart Packing Tips
Wrap Gifts Before Packing: It’s easier to wrap gifts before you move than to dig through boxes looking for wrapping paper in your new home.
Use Gift Bags: They’re faster than wrapping and reusable. Perfect when you’re short on time.
Protect Fragile Holiday Items: Use clothing, towels, and linens to wrap fragile ornaments and holiday dishes. This serves double duty: packing and protection.
Managing Moving Day Around Holiday Events
Optimal Moving Dates
Best Times to Move:
- Early December (before the holiday rush)
- Between Christmas and New Year’s (if you can wait)
- Weekdays rather than weekends
Dates to Avoid:
- December 23-26 (most movers are closed or limited)
- December 31-January 1 (New Year’s closures)
If You Must Move During Peak Holiday Times
Communicate Early: Book movers at least 3-4 weeks in advance. Companies have limited availability during holidays.
Be Flexible: You may need to accept less-than-ideal moving times to work around company closures.
Have a Backup Plan: What if your move gets delayed? Have a plan for where you’ll stay and how you’ll handle the situation.
Holiday Gathering Strategies
Hosting in Your New Home
Keep It Simple: Your first holiday in a new home doesn’t need to be perfect. Focus on being together.
Set Up One Room First: Prioritize getting your dining room or living room functional for gatherings. Other rooms can wait.
Embrace the Chaos: Let guests see the boxes. Real friends and family won’t care.
Order In: No shame in catering your first holiday meal in your new home.
Attending Gatherings Elsewhere
Don’t Overcommit: It’s okay to skip some events this year. People will understand you’re moving.
Ask for Help: Friends and family want to help. Let them bring meals, watch kids during packing, or help load the truck.
Be Honest: Don’t pretend everything is fine if you’re overwhelmed. People will adjust expectations.
Gift-Giving During a Move
Simplifying Gift Shopping
Shop Online: Save time by having gifts delivered directly.
Gift Cards Are Fine: This is the year to embrace gift cards.
Experiences Over Things: Give tickets to events or restaurant gift certificates. Nothing to pack or transport.
Family Gifts: Instead of individual presents, give one family gift. This reduces shopping and wrapping time significantly.
Creative Gift Ideas
“Moving Fund” Gifts: Tell family you’d prefer gift cards to home improvement stores or furniture stores instead of traditional presents.
New Home Gifts: Ask for items you need for your new home: kitchen supplies, decor, garden items.
Managing Holiday and Moving Stress
Self-Care Strategies
Lower Your Standards: This is the year for “good enough.” Done is better than perfect.
Schedule Downtime: Block out time for rest and holiday enjoyment.
Ask for Help: People genuinely want to help during the holidays. Accept offers.
Maintain Routines: Keep bedtime routines, family dinner time, and other important routines consistent through the chaos.
Take Breaks: Watch a holiday movie, take a walk to see lights, or enjoy hot chocolate. Five-minute breaks prevent burnout.
Emotional Management
Acknowledge Feelings: It’s okay to feel stressed or overwhelmed. Don’t suppress emotions.
Focus on What Matters: The holidays are about people, not places or perfect decorations.
Reframe the Narrative: Instead of “worst possible time,” try “We get to start fresh in the new year.”
Create New Memories: This unusual holiday will be a memorable story.
The First Week in Your New Home
Immediate Priorities
Day 1:
- Set up beds
- Unpack bathroom essentials
- Set up kitchen basics
- Create one livable space
Day 2-3:
- Unpack kitchen
- Set up holiday decorations (even minimal ones)
- Locate all holiday gifts
Day 4-7:
- Unpack main living areas
- Handle address changes
- Explore your new neighborhood
Making Your New House Feel Like Home
Quick Holiday Touches:
- String lights around one room
- Place a wreath on the door
- Set up your tree or menorah
- Play holiday music while unpacking
Explore Your New Neighborhood:
- Drive around to see holiday lights
- Find the nearest holiday events
- Introduce yourself to neighbors
Create a “First Holiday” Tradition: Do something special to mark your first holiday season in the new home. Make it memorable.
Orlando-Specific Holiday Moving Tips
Weather Considerations
December Weather in Orlando:
- Average temperatures: 60-75°F
- Occasional cold fronts (can drop to 40s)
- Perfect moving weather compared to summer heat
Local Holiday Events
Even during a move, try to experience some local holiday magic:
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
- ICE! at Gaylord Palms
- Holiday lights in neighborhoods like Celebration
These can be stress-relieving breaks and help you connect with your new community.
Moving Company Availability
Book Early: While December is slower than summer, days right before and after major holidays book quickly.
Weekday Moves: You’ll have better availability and potentially better rates on weekdays.
Your Holiday Moving Checklist
4 Weeks Before:
- Book moving company
- Create moving and holiday calendars
- Begin packing non-essentials
- Start decluttering
3 Weeks Before:
- Continue packing
- Shop for gifts online
- Notify utilities and change address
- Plan simplified holiday meals
2 Weeks Before:
- Pack most rooms
- Wrap gifts
- Finalize holiday gathering plans
- Confirm all moving details
1 Week Before:
- Pack everything except essentials
- Do final walkthrough
- Pack holiday essentials box
- Prepare for moving day
Moving Week:
- Execute move
- Set up beds and bathroom
- Unpack kitchen basics
- Display minimal holiday decorations
You Can Do This
Moving during the holidays is challenging, but thousands of families do it successfully every year. The key is accepting that this year will be different, lowering your expectations for perfection, and focusing on what truly matters: being together.
Your holiday might look different this year. You might eat on paper plates, your tree might be smaller, and your decorations might be minimal. But you’ll be together, creating memories, and starting fresh in a new home. That’s something to celebrate.
Pro tip: Work with movers that respond quickly and confirm details in advance. Orlando Express Movers uses AI-powered systems from BoostedMovers.com to return inquiries as fast as possible during the holiday rush.
Let Orlando Express Movers Help
At Orlando Express Movers, we understand the unique challenges of holiday moves. We’ve helped countless Orlando families relocate during the holiday season.
Our Holiday Moving Services:
Flexible Scheduling: We work around your holiday commitments and offer the best available dates during this busy season.
Efficient Service: Our experienced crews work quickly and efficiently to get you settled faster.
Careful Handling: Holiday decorations, gifts, and special items receive extra care during transport.
Transparent Pricing: No surprise holiday surcharges. Clear, upfront pricing so you can budget appropriately.
We’re available throughout the holiday season (except major holidays) and ready to help you transition to your new home while keeping your holiday stress to a minimum.
Ready to Plan Your Holiday Move?
Don’t let moving during the holidays overwhelm you. Let Orlando Express Movers handle the heavy lifting while you focus on enjoying the season with your loved ones.
Contact Orlando Express Movers today for a free quote. We’ll work with your holiday schedule and create a moving plan that keeps your celebrations intact.
Call us to discuss your holiday move and discover how we can make this season special despite the timing.