Pack an “Open Me First” Box 
No matter how well you planned – you did properly plan for your move, right? –
moving a household can be especially chaotic. People and boxes and vehicles and this and that and the other are constantly coming and going and going and coming and – whew! It’s tough to keep your head on straight! … Which is why, when you finally get yourself (and your family?) into your new home and all the unopened boxes are strewn around with all your stuff still in ’em, you’ll need something handy to help you through your first night.
The correct “something” to have is an “Open Me First” box. But that well demonstrates the necessity of sound planning. If you’ve given it some reflection, you’ll have provisioned your first-night “Open Me First” box with …
- Toiletries
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, shavers, skin lotion, and anything else that helps you stay fresh, hygienic, and looking good
- towels (also maybe washcloths or loofahs or some such items, depending on your preference)
- Kitchen/Meal Essentials
- Various non-perishable foods, should your fridge or freezer not be hooked up yet – snacks, canned goods, and so forth
- Plastic or paper plates, cups, utensils, paper towels or napkins (Even if you prefer having food delivered to preparing it in your new home that night, you’ll probably want something with which to eat and drink besides your hands!)
- Personal Items
- A day or two’s worth of clothes (Keep it simple … unless you plan on attending a Grand Ball your first night in!)
- Cell phone and other chargers
- Entertainment
- Cards
- Board Games
- Books and magazines
- (Your TV and entertainment system aren’t likely to be available already, so you can forget bringing along DVDs or Blu-rays. You know you’ve been wanting a few minutes to finish reading that new novel, anyway. And if you’ve got kids, the cards or board games should keep them well enough engaged. It is, after all, for just one night … or so!)
- First Aid and Medications
- There are a lot of practical, inexpensive but well-provisioned first aid kits out there. Get one!
- Don’t forget to carry with you any prescription medications you or your family members take. Aspirin (or some other over-the-counter painkiller) would be prudent as well.
Take heed: the better you plan and the sooner you do it, the smoother your move will go. And the better your first night will be in your new home.
