Preparing for the First Night in Your New Home

You’ve been waiting all week, all month, and maybe all year for this day: It’s move-in day! Maybe you’ve hired movers, or you’re enlisting the help of friends and family. Regardless, today is going to be a long day filled with heavy lifting, excitement, and probably a good deal of exhaustion. After the last box makes it into the house and the keys are in your hand, now what? You don’t want to scramble around looking for blankets or paper towels or anything else when you’re tired and just want to relax before going to sleep. Here are some ways you can make the first night in your new home a ton of fun and not incredibly stressful. After all, this is a big change. Make sure you enjoy it.

Here are some tips for spending the first night in your new home.

Don’t Even Think About Cooking

Moving is expensive. We get it. But the last thing you want to do is to try and save money at this exact moment by avoiding takeout. Every cooking utensil and pan you own is probably packed up in a box that made its way into the living room anyway, so don’t waste your time or energy. Go ahead and order a pizza or your favorite takeout option. Now’s the perfect time to try out a restaurant in your new neighborhood.

Pack a “First Night” Bag

Yes, you did just pack up everything you own, so it seems silly to have this as a tip. But most people don’t think beyond the moving in itself, and when you’re ready to go to bed on that first night, you’ll be glad you thought ahead. Pack a bag that contains your essentials, like:

• Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and toiletries
• Chargers for your phone, computer, smartwatch, and other devices
• Medication
• Pajamas
• An extra set of clothes (for tomorrow morning!)

Basically, anything you use every day should be in this bag.

Set Up A Home Essentials Kit

You know all those super necessary items that you never think about but always need? That’s what should be in the home essentials kit. You’ll pack a few of these items separately and will want to unpack it immediately. What’s a super necessary but often forgotten item? We’re talking:

• Toilet paper
• Hand soap (for kitchen and bathroom)
• Paper towels
• Kitchen sponge
• Kleenex
• Trash bags
• Lightbulbs (you’re guaranteed to need at least one)

Unpack Your Bedroom Right Away

No matter which room you’re most excited to set up, always set up your bedroom first. At the very least, set up your bed complete with blankets, pillows, and sheets. Even if you’re unpacking bright and early in the morning, and you’re hours away from needing to go to bed. You will be so happy when you’re ready to fall into bed exhausted that first night if you just take the time to do this right away. Sleep will come with no extra work needed.

Pour a Cup of Tea, or Crack a Beer and Just Chill

This one’s the last and most important tip for having a stress-free moving day. At the end of the day, when you’re sitting between boxes on the floor, take an hour or so to relax.

You did it -- you’re home! Enjoy a few quiet moments in your new house. Congratulations!