Pack an “Open Me First” Box 
Even with the smartest planning – you did properly plan for your move, right? –
moving a household can be incredibly 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 a bear to keep everything straight! … Which is why, when you finally get yourself (and your family?) into your new home and all the unopened boxes are strewn around with all your stuff still in ’em, you’ll need something handy to help you through your first night.
The correct “something” to have is an “Open Me First” box. Of course, that’s where good planning comes in. If you’ve given it some attention, you’ll have loaded 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
- A selection of non-perishable foods, just in case 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 decide not to cook but to order out, you’ll probably 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 figure on 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 put together yet, so you can skip 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 sufficiently entertained. It is, after all, for just one night … or so!)
- First Aid and Medications
- There are scores of practical, inexpensive but properly stocked first aid kits out there. Get one!
- Don’t forget to carry with you any prescription medications you or your family members take. Aspirin (or some other over-the-counter painkiller) would be a good idea too.
Take heed: 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.
