• FREE CROCHET PATTERNS
    Don't have the budget to buy crochet patterns? Browse my huge collection of free patterns here, with projects ranging from amigurumi to clothing, home decor, and more! ♡
    Read more
  • CROCHET PATTERN ROUNDUPS
    Looking for inspiration for your next project? Get lots of ideas and patterns for a variety of themes, including holidays, craft fairs, keychains, no-sew amigurumis, and more! ♡
    Learn more
  • PRINTABLES
    Check out my free printables! There are printables to go along with crocheted items, printables for little ones, and printables for the home! ♡
    Learn more
Hey there!
Welcome to the Sweet Softies blog! Join me in celebrating the sweet things in life, from motherhood and education, to crafts, fashion, home, and more!

If you'd like to learn more about me, just click this button below!
WANNA KNOW MORE?
read more

How to Complete Your Move With as Little Stress As Possible

Moving house is at, or near, the top of the most stressful life events for most people. As exciting as this time is, the amount that needs to be done before the big day rolls around may feel overwhelming.

It’s not just the nitty-gritty of the removal; there are things like new schools and doctors’ surgeries to check out, getting set up with new utility companies, and the packing itself to contend with.

Use the handy tips below to help with your planning - to make your move as smooth and hassle-free as possible!


Choose a Removal Company with Care

If you’re not moving too far away or have lots of help to call upon, you could consider DIYing your move to save some money. However, it’s essential to think carefully about this. A removal company’s staff are professional and highly experienced, meaning, in a nutshell, they’re much less likely to accidentally scratch a much-loved piece of furniture than a well-meaning pair of friends!

Further, loading and unloading a removal van (or vans) could turn out to be a much more time-consuming task than you think. You could easily find you’re running behind schedule on moving day if it’s one you attempt to undertake on your own.

It’s highly recommended to look at local moving and storage companies to both help you with the relocation and to store any large items you have - if required - until you’re set up in your new home. Be sure to take the time to prepare the services on offer and the prices, and don’t forget to find out about insurance for peace of mind that, in the unlikely event anything gets damaged in transit, you’ll be compensated.


Get Ahead of the Game

Rather than waiting until you’re settled in your new property before signing up for your new doctors’ surgery, veterinary practice, dental surgery, etc., get ahead of the game by getting in touch with (and, if possible, visiting) these services before you move. Similarly, once you have a moving date fixed, you could contact the utility companies supplying your new home to get signed up and ensure uninterrupted supply once you’ve moved in.

Anything you can do in the weeks leading up to the move to chip away at the to-do list is a great idea and will take the pressure off the busy week or two of the move itself. Get all your important documents together, such as passports, driving licenses, and social security documentation, too; keep them somewhere safe and easy to retrieve, so there’s no risk of them going astray in the chaos of moving day!

Make a list of all the agencies and organizations you’ll need to contact with your new address details once you’ve moved in; why not prepare letters or emails ahead of time, ready for printing and sending in the first few days following the move?


Take the Opportunity for a Major Sort Out

Hauling furniture and loads of items to your new home that you won’t use is a waste of time and money. So why not take the opportunity, before the move, to have a mega sort out, and get all the family involved?

Go through every room in your house, thinking carefully about which items are no longer used and can therefore be donated to charity, sold, or binned. You may be surprised at just how much money you can make by selling your old clutter or furniture that has been in the basement, gathering dust for years!

If you gather a large amount of stuff- or have a few large items of furniture - to donate to charity, it’s worth contacting a local organization, as some can come to collect your items for extra convenience.


Perfect Packing

Once you’ve thoroughly sorted everything out, you can start thinking about packing. While many items will need to be left available until nearer the time, you may find a significant amount of stuff you can pack up well before the move to make the big day less stressful. Books, ornaments, pictures, and kitchen equipment that’s only used occasionally, are just a few examples of things you can start on.

When packing, be sure to label up the boxes clearly, along with the room in the new house they need to be taken to, so your removal staff can ensure everything runs to plan, and you’re not left having to lug heavy boxes around your new pad.

You can purchase professional packing materials, or most removal companies can hire these materials for you. Consider using soft furnishings like throws, curtains, clothing, and towels to provide additional padding.


Get Ready for Moving Day!

And finally, you can make a few other preparations that’ll make a big difference to moving day! Consider putting together a moving day survival pack for each family member, including snacks, essential toiletries, a book, nightwear, etc. Add sticker or puzzle books and a favorite cuddly friend for younger kids to help keep them occupied and happy.

And, of course, don’t forget to include a corkscrew and a bottle of fizz to pop on your first evening in your brand-new home!