The moving truck is scheduled for December 20th, Christmas is in five days, and somehow you need to pack, move, unpack, and create a festive holiday atmosphere in a brand new home. If this sounds like a nightmare, you’re not alone. At Baltic Movers, we help dozens of Orlando families navigate holiday moves every year.
While we can’t make holiday moving stress-free, we can make it manageable. Here’s your survival guide to relocating during the most wonderful (and now most hectic) time of the year.
Why People Move During the Holidays (And Why It’s Sometimes Unavoidable)
Holiday moves aren’t anyone’s first choice, but life doesn’t always cooperate with our preferred timeline.
Common Reasons for Holiday Moving:
- Job relocations with firm start dates
- Military orders and transfers
- Lease endings that can’t be extended
- Home closings that finally happen after delays
- Family emergencies requiring relocation
- Taking advantage of year-end work breaks
- Children’s semester breaks align with holiday timing
The Silver Lining:
- Time off work for packing and unpacking
- Kids home from school to help
- Family visiting who can assist
- End-of-year company moving allowances
- Less competition for housing
- Cooler Florida weather for physical work
Pro Tip: One family told us their December move was actually easier because relatives visiting for Christmas became their moving crew. They knocked out unpacking in two days with eight helpful hands instead of two.
Strategic Holiday Decoration Planning
Your holiday decorations present a unique challenge – do you pack them away or set them up in your new home?
The Decoration Decision Matrix:
If Moving Early December (Before Dec 15):
- Pack decorations from old house
- Plan simple, minimal decorating at new house
- Focus on one special tree or centerpiece
- Save elaborate decorating for next year
If Moving Mid-December (Dec 15-23):
- Keep essential decorations accessible
- Pack a “holiday essentials” box separately
- Plan to decorate new house immediately after move
- Accept that it won’t be Pinterest-perfect
If Moving Right Before Christmas (Dec 24-25):
- Keep decorations minimal at old house
- Have kids make paper chains or simple crafts for new house
- Focus on being together, not perfect decor
- Order pizza and embrace the chaos
Smart Decoration Packing:
- Use original boxes when possible
- Wrap ornaments individually in tissue paper
- Label boxes clearly: “CHRISTMAS – OPEN FIRST”
- Pack one small box of must-have decorations
- Take photos of elaborate setups for next year
Pro Tip: We helped a family moving December 22nd who packed their Christmas tree fully decorated. We carefully wrapped it in blankets, moved it upright, and set it up in their new living room still decorated. The kids were thrilled. Sometimes creative solutions save the day.
Managing Family Gatherings and Moving Logistics
Coordinating holiday hosting while moving requires strategic planning.
If You’re Hosting in Your New Home:
- Schedule move at least 5-7 days before gathering
- Focus unpacking efforts on kitchen, bathrooms, and guest spaces
- Order disposable plates and cups as backup
- Consider catering instead of elaborate cooking
- Embrace “new house tour” as entertainment
If You’re Traveling for Holidays:
- Schedule move right after you return (less stressful)
- Or move right before and travel from new location
- Use travel time as a mental break from moving chaos
- Return to fresh start in new home
Declining Hosting Duties:
- It’s okay to say no to hosting this year
- Offer to host at a restaurant instead
- Suggest rotating to another family member’s home
- Promise to host next year when settled
Pro Tip: One client scheduled their move for December 27th specifically to avoid hosting Christmas. They spent the holiday at family’s house, then moved stress-free when everyone else was relaxing. Sometimes timing is everything.
The “Holiday Essentials” Box Strategy
Create a special box that keeps holiday spirit alive during moving chaos.
What Goes in Your Holiday Essentials Box:
- Favorite family ornaments with sentimental value
- Advent calendar or Hanukkah menorah
- Holiday music playlist or CDs
- Special holiday movies
- Favorite holiday cookie recipe and one baking essential
- Holiday pajamas or special outfits
- Small gifts already purchased
- Holiday cards and stamps
- Camera for documenting first holiday in new home
Label This Box:
- “DO NOT PACK IN TRUCK – KEEP WITH FAMILY”
- Take it in your personal vehicle
- Open it first thing in new home
- Let kids help unpack it for instant holiday cheer
Pro Tip: Think of this box as your “holiday survival kit.” Even if everything else is in chaos, these items help maintain traditions and normalcy for kids especially.
Budget Management: Moving + Gifts = Financial Stress
Holiday moves strain budgets already stretched by gift-giving.
Money-Saving Strategies:
- Book movers early for better rates (yes, even during holidays)
- Set realistic gift expectations with family
- Consider homemade or thoughtful low-cost gifts
- Ask for “moving help” instead of gifts
- Use holiday sales for new home essentials
What to Prioritize Financially:
- Professional movers (save your back and sanity)
- Essential furniture and supplies for new home
- Meaningful holiday traditions
- Safety and comfort items
What Can Wait:
- Elaborate decorating
- New furniture that’s not essential
- Home improvement projects
- Non-essential purchases
Pro Tip: One family asked relatives to gift Home Depot gift cards instead of traditional presents. They furnished their new home while maintaining the gift-giving tradition. Everyone appreciated the practicality.
Maintaining Traditions During Chaos
Keeping beloved traditions alive matters, especially for children.
Traditions Worth Protecting:
- Special holiday breakfast or dinner
- Watching favorite holiday movies together
- Reading holiday stories before bed
- Baking one special recipe
- Driving to see holiday lights
- Attending one important event or service
Traditions That Can Flex:
- Elaborate cooking (order takeout this year)
- Perfect decorating (simplified is fine)
- Hosting duties (let someone else do it)
- Handmade gifts (store-bought is okay)
New Traditions to Start:
- “First holiday in new home” photo tradition
- Ordering pizza on moving day becomes annual joke
- Documenting the chaos for future laughs
- Creating “remember when we moved at Christmas” stories
Pro Tip: Kids are more resilient than we think. Years later, they’ll remember the adventure of moving during holidays more than they’ll remember if the tree was perfectly decorated.
Setting Up Your New Home for Immediate Holiday Hosting
If you must host shortly after moving, prioritize strategically.
First 24 Hours Focus:
- Set up beds (everyone needs sleep)
- Unpack kitchen essentials
- Set up one bathroom completely
- Create one welcoming space (living room)
First Week Priorities:
- Arrange furniture in main living areas
- Stock kitchen with hosting essentials
- Set up guest bathroom and sleeping area
- Add minimal but festive holiday touches
Quick Holiday Atmosphere Tricks:
- One beautiful tree or menorah as focal point
- String lights (instant ambiance)
- Scented candles (pine, cinnamon, vanilla)
- Holiday music playing
- Fresh greenery from grocery store
- Simple wreath on front door
What Guests Won’t Care About:
- Unpacked boxes in bedrooms
- Artwork not yet hung
- Garage still full of boxes
- Perfect furniture arrangement
- Missing curtains or window treatments
Pro Tip: We’ve seen clients host beautiful holiday gatherings 48 hours after moving. The secret? They focused on ambiance, good food, and being together. Nobody remembered the boxes in the corner.
Managing Kids’ Expectations and Emotions
Moving during holidays is hardest on children who crave stability and tradition.
For Younger Kids (Ages 3-8):
- Emphasize excitement of new house
- Let them pack special holiday box
- Maintain bedtime routines
- Set up their room first
- Keep favorite decorations accessible
For Older Kids/Teens (Ages 9-18):
- Acknowledge this timing is hard
- Let them invite friends to see new house
- Give them control over their room setup
- Maintain communication with friends from old neighborhood
- Be honest that holidays will be different this year
Family Communication Strategies:
- Hold family meeting about move and holidays
- Let everyone voice concerns
- Make plan together for maintaining traditions
- Create excitement about new possibilities
- Acknowledge feelings while staying positive
Pro Tip: One mom told us her 7-year-old was devastated about moving before Christmas until she framed it as “Santa knows where we’re going.” Sometimes simple reassurance is all kids need.
Finding Available Movers During Peak Holiday Season
Many moving companies have limited availability during holidays.
Booking Strategy:
- Book as early as possible (6-8 weeks minimum)
- Be flexible with dates if possible
- Weekdays typically have better availability
- Expect some holiday premium pricing
- Confirm multiple times as date approaches
Questions to Ask Moving Companies:
- Are you available during holiday week?
- Do you charge holiday premiums?
- What’s your cancellation policy?
- Do you have experience with holiday moves?
- Can you accommodate tight timelines?
Baltic Movers’ Holiday Availability:
- We operate throughout the holiday season
- Experienced crews who work efficiently
- Understanding of holiday time pressures
- Flexible scheduling when possible
- Clear communication about any holiday scheduling constraints
The First Holiday in Your New Home
Make your first holiday in your new house special, even if imperfect.
Creating Positive Memories:
- Take lots of photos and videos
- Order special takeout from new neighborhood
- Explore local holiday events and lights
- Let kids choose one new tradition
- Write down funny moving stories
- Start “first holiday in new home” tradition
Letting Go of Perfection:
- Mismatched furniture is fine
- Store-bought cookies instead of homemade
- Simplified gift wrapping
- Paper plates for holiday dinner
- Focus on being together, not perfect presentation
Looking Forward:
- Next year will be more settled
- Use this year as baseline for improvement
- Embrace the adventure and chaos
- Remember this as family bonding time
- Create stories you’ll laugh about for years
Pro Tip: Twenty years from now, nobody will remember if your Christmas tree was perfectly decorated. They’ll remember the adventure, the teamwork, and being together during a crazy time.
Your Holiday Move Can Be Manageable
Moving during the holidays isn’t ideal, but it doesn’t have to ruin your celebration. With realistic expectations, strategic planning, and the right support, you can successfully relocate while maintaining the spirit of the season.
The key is accepting that this year will be different – and that’s okay. Focus on what matters most: being together, maintaining core traditions, and embracing the adventure of starting fresh in a new home.
Ready to schedule your holiday move? Contact Baltic Movers today. Our experienced Orlando team understands the unique pressures of holiday relocations and will work with you to make the process as smooth as possible. We’ll handle the logistics so you can focus on what really matters – celebrating with the people you love.
Happy holidays and happy moving from all of us at Baltic Movers!
