Moving Day Checklist: The “Open First” Box
An “open first” box is one of the most important things you can pack for your next move. Here’s what I’m including in ours!
We’ve talked a lot about moving lately – I’ve shared packing tips and a decluttering checklist and all of the moving essentials you could possibly need. One thing that I feel like I’ve casually mentioned in almost every post (but haven’t elaborated on yet) is an open first box. This is one of the most helpful things you can do for yourself when it comes to moving to a new house. Having a moving day essentials box packed and ready to go will make your life so much easier, and I promies it’s worth the extra effort.
What Should I Put in My First Night Box?
This is going to vary by person and family, but the main idea is that you want to have a box packed with all of the things you’ll need on the first night or two at your new home. These are all the things you want to have easily availably right when you move in. You know, the stuff that you’ll be tearing through boxes to find if you don’t have them immediately on hand.
Cleaning + Tools
Hopefully your new house is clean but you never know how quickly you’re going to need to deal with a mess! A few things you might want include:
- General-purpose cleaner
- Microfiber cloths
- Paper towels
- Disinfectant wipes
- Trash bags
- Broom + dustpan (or just your vacuum!)
- Box cutter or scissors
- A basic tool kit (drill, tape measure, hammer, etc.)
- A few extra light bulbs
- An extension cord
- Batteries
- A flashlight
Personal Items
I recommend each person in the family pack a bag as if they’re going away for the weekend. You’ll need a few other things as well, but just taking on that mindset should cover most of what you need!
Each person in the family will want to make sure to have:
- Toothbrush + toothpaste
- Other toiletries or medications
- A couple of changes of clothes
- Pajamas
- Phone charger
- Bedding + pillows
And you should also make sure to have the following easily accessible:
- Shower curtain and liner
- Shampoo + body wash
- Towels
- Comfort items for the kids
- A book or two for the kids at bedtime
Everyday Basics
Hopefully you’ll get your home to a basic place of functioning pretty quickly, but just in case, I’d make sure to have these things on hand:
- Toilet paper
- Hand soap
- Paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils
- Plenty of snacks
- Reusable water bottles
- A few easy-to-make meals
- Coffee + coffee maker
- Dish soap and a scrubber
- Pet bowls and any other must-haves for your pets
Other
And, just to fully cover all of the bases, here are a few other things you might find really helpful to have:
- Important documents (any moving paperwork, IDs, etc.)
- A little bit of cash (especially if you’ll need to tip movers)
- A white noise machine, if you use one
- A notepad and pen
- Curtains, or something to cover the windows if you need it
- A celebration drink or treat – think a bottle of champagne, cookies, etc!
- A game or a few toys to keep the kids busy
A Few Other Tips
As you prep to pack your moving day essentials box, here are a few other things to keep in mind.
- You should pack this stuff in a really easily noticeable box. You can either label it with colored packing tape or grab some sort of a reusable box to make it easily identified.
- Don’t let the first night box (or boxes) go in the moving truck! If at all possible, keep them with you in your own vehicle so there’s no chance you’ll get separated from them.
- On moving day, try to designate one “clean zone” early one. This will be the space you set up first and try to keep boxes out of. The goal is to have at least one spot in the house that feels like home as quickly as possible.
- Don’t forget a comfort item for yourself. We all know you’re not going to forget your kids’ favorite stuffies or blanket, but what about your favorite candle? Think about what will make things feel like home for you and make sure to have that nearby.
With a properly-packed first night box, your move is sure to go at least marginally more smoothly. Promise! We’ve got about a week left until we move and I’ve been slowly packing ours – it feels more and more real every single day!