Pack an “Open Me First” Box 
Even with the greatest planning – you did properly plan for your move, right? –
moving a household can be uncommonly 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 straight! … Which is why, when you finally get yourself (and your family?) into your new home and all the delivered boxes are strewn around with all your stuff still in ’em, you’ll need something accessible to help you through your first night.
The right “something” to have is an “Open Me First” box. But that just demonstrates the necessity of sound planning. If you’ve given it some attention, you’ll have crammed your first-night “Open Me First” box with …
- Toiletries
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, shavers, skin lotion, and [[whatever else helps you maintain your hygiene and appearance
- towels (also maybe washcloths or loofahs or some such items, depending on your preference)
- Kitchen/Meal Essentials
- A selection of non-perishable foods, as your fridge or freezer isn’t likely to be hooked up yet – snacks, canned goods, and other such things
- 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
- Enough clothes for a day or two (Keep it simple … unless you plan 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 up and running yet, 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 sufficiently entertained. It is, after all, for just one night … or so!)
- First Aid and Medications
- There are all sorts of compact, inexpensive but well-provisioned first aid kits out there. Get one!
- You’ll also want to bring along any prescription medications you or your family members take. Aspirin (or some other over-the-counter painkiller) would be a good idea too.
Remember: the better you plan and the sooner you do it, the smoother your move will go. And the better your first night will be in your new home.
