The 12 Moving Tips of Christmas, Sung by Walsh

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

Keep your winter weather supplies handy. Don’t pack up things like snow shovels and ice scrapers because you may need to clear your driveway of any ice and snow so that the moving trucks can maneuver safely around your home.

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

Protect your live plants by wrapping them in plastic. Use grocery bags for smaller plants and larger trash bags for bigger ones. Make sure that the bags are 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 means 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 and slush can get messy.

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

Extreme temperature changes can cause condensation to build up on the high-tech circuitry of your electronics like computers, laptops, DVD players, TVs, etc. It is best for your electronics to 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, make sure to 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. Pack these items inside the car if you can, as well as batteries, medication, baby formula, and anything that should not get very cold.

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

If you have important paper documents and records that can be scanned into a computer, this can help eliminate the excess paper copies you have.

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

If you are against having the front door left open, have a friend or family member stand at the door playing “door man” while others are carrying items in and out of your home.

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

Don’t pack all of your warm clothes. Instead, bring some warm clothes with you on your moving journey. Since it is cold outside, you will want to keep warm while traveling to your new home. Depending on how far away the journey is, pack warm clothes accordingly.

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

Keep an eye on the weather and be prepared for the hazardous and even dangerous 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 does require extra planning, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Take some time to enjoy the moving process.