The 12 Moving Tips of Christmas, Sung by Walsh

“In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun!”

That’s what Mary Poppins said to naughty children, and here we’ve applied that philosophy to the moving experience. Moving is never as fun as camping, but there are ways to make your life easier while it happens. So grab your squeezebox and sing along to the 12 Moving Tips of Christmas.

Nothing rhymes, and we apologize for that. We’re movers, not professional songwriters. There’s only so much we can do in our spare time.

On the first day of Christmas, Walsh said to me: “Keep your winter shovels handy!”

Keep your winter weather supplies out of the boxes. Don’t pack up snow shovels and ice scrapers, because you may need to clear your driveway of ice and snow for the moving truck to maneuver safely around your home. Maybe not in Long Beach, CA, but certainly in Great Falls, MT.

On the second day of Christmas, Walsh said to me: “Protect your plants!”

Wrap your live plants in plastic to protect them. Use grocery bags for smaller plants and larger trash bags for bigger ones. Keep bags open at the top so your plants can breathe.

On the third day of Christmas, Walsh said to me: “Take your time!”

Be cautious and take your time! This applies to driving, carrying moving boxes or furniture, or even walking. This should be a general guideline in rough weather even when you aren’t moving, but even more so when you are.

On the fourth day of Christmas, Walsh said to me: “Cover the floors!”

Arrange for scrap carpet and/or floor protection at your destination, as snow, slush, and even rain can get messy.

On the fifth day of Christmas, Walsh said to me: “Wait to plug in!”

Extreme temperature changes can lead to condensation build up in the high-tech circuitry of your electronics, like computers, laptops, DVD players, TVs, etc. Let your electronics acclimate to room temperature for at least 24 hours before plugging everything in and setting it up.

On the sixth day of Christmas, Walsh said to me: “Regulate your heating!”

Keep the heat on at your old place long enough to completely move everything out, but not so long that you’re wasting money on two utility bills. Also, call your new utility company ahead of time so the heat will be on when you get there.

On the seventh day of Christmas, Walsh said to me: “Pack liquids warmly!”

Take care when packing liquids that can freeze during transport. Keep these items inside the car if you can, as well as batteries, medication, baby formula, and anything else that shouldn’t freeze.

On the eighth day of Christmas, Walsh said to me: “Scan paper copies!”

Scanning important paper documents and records, and saving them digitally, can help eliminate clutter and mess.

On the ninth day of Christmas, Walsh said to me: “Someone play door-man!”

If you’re opposed to leaving the front door open, have a friend or family member stand at the door playing “door man” while others carry items in and out of your home.

On the tenth day of Christmas, Walsh said to me: “Keep your coats handy!”

Since it’s cold outside, you’ll want to keep enough warm clothes handy for the move, journey, and time it takes to unpack.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, Walsh said to me: “Look out for the weather!”

Be prepared for the hazardous situations that cold weather can produce on the road. Allow extra time for blocked roads or icy terrain when moving in the cold weather.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, Walsh said to me: “Don’t forget to have fun!”

Moving during the winter requires extra planning, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Take some time to enjoy the moving process.