Pack an “Open Me First” Box 
Even with the greatest planning – you did properly plan for your move, right? –
moving a household can be very chaotic. People and boxes and vehicles and this and that and the other are forever coming and going and going and coming and – whew! It’s hard to keep everything on track! … Which is why, when you (and your family?) have made it to your new home and all the delivered boxes are sitting around with all your stuff still in ’em, you’ll need something ready at hand to help you through your first night.
The right “something” to have is an “Open Me First” box. Of course, that’s where good planning comes in. If you’ve given it some forethought, you’ll have crammed your first-night “Open Me First” box with …
- Toiletries
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, shavers, skin lotion, and anything else that keeps you fresh, hygienic, and looking good
- towels (also maybe washcloths or loofahs or some such items, depending on your preference)
- Kitchen/Meal Essentials
- Various non-perishable foods, in the event that your fridge or freezer isn’t hooked up yet – snacks, canned goods, and so so on
- Plastic or paper plates, cups, utensils, paper towels or napkins (Even if you’d rather order out than cook, you’ll undoubtedly want something with which to eat and drink besides your hands!)
- Personal Items
- A day or two’s worth of clothes (Keep it simple … unless you you’ll be attending a Grand Ball your first night in!)
- Cell phone and other chargers
- Entertainment
- Cards
- Board Games
- Books and magazines
- (Your TV and entertainment system aren’t likely to be available already, so you can forget bringing along DVDs or Blu-rays. You know you’ve been wanting a few minutes to finish reading that new novel, anyway. And if you’ve got kids, the cards or board games should keep them adequately occupied. It is, after all, for just one night … or so!)
- First Aid and Medications
- There are a lot of practical, inexpensive but well-equipped first aid kits on the market. Get one!
- You should also plan to take along any prescription medications you or your family members take. Aspirin (or some other over-the-counter painkiller) would be invaluable as well.
Remember: the better you plan and the quicker you do it, the smoother your move will go. And the better your first night will be in your new home.
