WHAT’S A “MUST-HAVE BOX” AND HOW DO I PACK ONE?

If you’ve moved before, you’ll know that your first night in your new home is chaotic and requires some careful planning to make sure you have everything you need without having to rip open boxes to find things. That’s where the “MUST-HAVE BOX” comes in. This is a box (or boxes) that you pack last and include everything you need for your first night and morning in your new home. Basically, anything you might need in the first 24 hours after moving should go in the “MUST-HAVE BOX” (or boxes). This will save you a lot of hassle and stress when you’re trying to get settled into your new place.

The “MUST-HAVE BOX” is the last box you pack before you move out of your old home. But it’s a good idea, while you’re going through the cupboards, drawers, and shelves, to identify what you’ll need in your new home and pack it into this box. This way, you won’t have to unpack everything in your new home just to find the items you need.

If you’re moving to another state or a new city and you’ve hired long distance movers, then the “MUST-HAVE BOX” is even more important. Your movers may get delayed, and you’ll need enough stuff to get by until they arrive.

Some people opt for packing an “MUST-HAVE BOX” for every room in their house. A classic strategy is to pack one box with essentials for doing daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry, and then one box per family member going to the new home. This way, everyone has everything they need to be comfortable and functional in the new space.

• Toilet Paper (Thanks to reader, Laura, for this essential item!)
• Dish soap
• Dishtowel and dishcloth
• All-purpose cleaner (unopened)
• Coffee maker and coffee
• Toaster or small toaster oven
• Jar of pasta sauce and pasta (or some easy food item for one dinner and lunch)
• Unopened small jar of jam/peanut butter
• Snacks
• Beverages
• Pet food and dishes
• Mug, plate, fork, knife, spoon for each member of the family
• All-purpose cutting knife
• Scissors or craft knife (to open the rest of your boxes)
• Small emergency kit
• Flashlight/candles/matches
• Shower curtain (nothing worse than forgetting this one!)
• Shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrush, floss, and paste
• A change of clothing and towel for each member of the family.
• Garbage bags
• Portable tool kit
• Important records such as medical records, passports, leases, financial information, etc

• Clothes
• Toothbrush
• Medicines
• Toiletries
• Books
• Electronics (laptop, iPad, eReader, etc.)
• Phone