Settling Into a New Home: 7 Tips to Make Your Holiday Move Easier

Key takeaways

• Prioritize essentials and functional spaces before trying to unpack everything.
• Keep holiday gifts, medications, chargers, and other necessities easily accessible.
• Simplify holiday traditions and hosting expectations while you settle in.
• Ask for help and give yourself permission to make this holiday season different.

Settling into a new home during the holidays can feel like a lot, especially when unpacking, decorating, and everyday responsibilities compete for your attention. Rather than trying to have everything perfectly in place, focus on creating a comfortable space where you can relax and enjoy the season.

In this guide, we'll share practical tips for settling in, from unpacking the essentials to simplifying holiday traditions and hosting expectations. Whether you're moving into a home in Hyde Park or starting fresh at a new home in Zilker, these ideas can help make the holiday transition feel a little easier.

1. Declutter before the move

Settling into a new home starts before moving day. Taking time to declutter before you pack can help reduce the number of items you need to move and make organizing your new space easier from the start.

“One of the most beneficial things you can do before moving day is decide what deserves to make the move in the first place,” states Jana Menchaca at B. Moore Moving + Storage. “Declutter before you pack, then plan for the new home by room so boxes and furnishings arrive where they actually belong.”

2. Pack an “open first” box with holiday and everyday essentials

When you're moving during the holidays, you may not want to dig through dozens of boxes to find the items you need most. Packing an “open first” box – or several smaller boxes by room – can help you get through the first few days more comfortably.

“When moving during the holidays, keep gifts, medications, chargers, important documents and a few favorite holiday items with you rather than loading them onto the moving truck,” recommends Erin Vyhanek, owner of Live Organized by Erin. “Pack clearly labeled ‘open first’ boxes for the bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen so the most important areas can function immediately.”

As you work through your moving checklist, keep particularly important items somewhere easily accessible, ideally with you rather than on the moving truck. Consider including: 

• Medications and first-aid supplies
• Chargers and electronic essentials
• Important documents
• Toiletries
• Toilet paper and hand soap
• Basic kitchen supplies
• Coffee, tea, snacks, or other everyday necessities
• A change of clothes and pajamas
• Holiday gifts
• A few favorite holiday decorations

>>Read: When to Start Packing for a Move

3. Prioritize a functional home over a fully unpacked one

Once you've arrived, resist the temptation to unpack everything at once. During the holidays, your goal should be to create a home that works for your everyday needs – not necessarily one where every box has been emptied.

“Moving is stressful enough without adding the hustle of the holidays, so make unpacking as easy on yourself as possible,” says Renee Wright at Space Restored Professional Organizing. “Color-code boxes by room and pack your everyday essentials in suitcases. That way, everything has a place and you can spend the season enjoying your new home instead of searching through boxes.”

Start with these spaces:

• Bedroom: Set up your bed, bedding, clothing, and anything you need for a comfortable night's sleep.
• Bathroom: Unpack towels, toiletries, medications, and other daily necessities.
• Kitchen: Focus on basic cookware, dishes, coffee supplies, snacks, and foods you'll actually use.
• Living area: Create at least one comfortable place to sit and relax.
• Entryway: Establish a spot for keys, coats, shoes, bags, and other everyday items.

4. Simplify holiday hosting and traditions

Moving into a new home doesn't mean you have to recreate every holiday tradition exactly as you did before. If you typically host a large gathering, consider whether that responsibility feels manageable this year – or whether simplifying the celebration would allow you to enjoy it more.

“Learn the art of imperfect hosting. You don’t have to go all out when hosting holiday gatherings right after a move. Keep things simple and focus on the relationships and conversations over elaborate meals and decor. People remember how you make them feel in your home, not how your home looks.,” encourages Joy Nelson at Organized With Joy. “Also, give yourself grace. Especially as a mom, I know I can be hard on myself to make sure everything is magical for each holiday season and celebration. Do what you can with what you have. Even if you can’t execute your usual holiday traditions, I’m sure this year will be memorable.”

5. Ask for help when you need it

A move already requires time and energy, and the holidays add another layer of responsibilities. Instead of trying to manage everything yourself, think about which tasks you can delegate or outsource.

“Recognize that moving is a significant transition, and give yourself permission to approach this holiday season differently. Set realistic priorities and bring in more support than usual, thinking beyond the movers to childcare, pet care, house cleaning, meals, and the other responsibilities that continue throughout a move,” states Christina Lee, CEO of Graceful Spaces Organizing. “If hosting parties or saying yes to every holiday gathering typically drains you, give yourself permission to step back this year and focus your time and energy on the things that truly fill you up. Most importantly, take some time to imagine yourself in the future, looking back on this season and how you want to feel about the way you moved through it.”

Support doesn't have to stop with hiring movers. Depending on your circumstances, you may benefit from help with:

• Childcare
• Pet care
• House cleaning
• Meal preparation or delivery
• Unpacking and organizing
• Holiday shopping
• Decorating
• Grocery shopping
• Errands

6. Give yourself permission to make this holiday season different

One of the biggest challenges of moving during the holidays is the expectation that everything should continue as usual. But a move is a major transition, and it's natural for your routines, traditions, and priorities to change temporarily.

“Moving during the holidays is a lot – especially when your usual traditions and routines are suddenly thrown out the window,” says Perry Rickard, owner and founder of Bluebird Organizing. “If you normally host, give yourself permission to skip it this year, and instead of adding more stuff to a home you’re still trying to organize, consider a gift-free Christmas and put that money toward a vacation or even a little getaway during the move when you need a break. Embrace the season where you can, hire help if you need it, and remember: this too shall pass.”

>>Check out: How Much Does It Cost to Move? Everything You Need to Know About Moving Costs

7. Create a simple post-holiday unpacking plan

Not everything needs to be finished before the holidays arrive. Once you've taken care of your everyday essentials, create a simple unpacking checklist for the projects that can wait until things slow down.

For example, you might:

• Choose one room or category to work on at a time.
• Unpack and organize the items you use most frequently.
• Break down empty boxes as you go.
• Decide where less frequently used belongings should be stored.
• Donate or discard items you realize you don't need.
• Finish decorating and organizing once the holiday rush has passed.

Settling into a new home: Final thoughts

Settling into a new home during the holidays doesn’t mean everything needs to be unpacked, decorated, or perfectly organized. Focus first on the spaces and routines you use every day, then work through the rest once the holiday rush has passed. A little flexibility can make the transition feel much more manageable.

FAQs about settling into a new home during the holidays

How do you settle into a new home during the holidays?

Start by unpacking the essentials that make your home functional and comfortable, such as bedding, toiletries, kitchen necessities, medications, and chargers. Keep holiday expectations simple and focus on creating a welcoming space rather than finishing every unpacking project.

What should you unpack first when moving during the holidays?

Prioritize the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, along with everyday essentials you'll need immediately. It can also help to keep an “open first” box with items like toiletries, toilet paper, basic cleaning supplies, chargers, medications, and a few holiday necessities.

Should you host the holidays after moving into a new home?

You can, but you don't have to host the holidays the same way you normally would. Consider simplifying the meal, limiting decorations, asking guests to contribute, or skipping hosting altogether if it adds too much stress.

How can I make moving during the holidays less stressful?

Set realistic expectations, ask for help with tasks like cleaning, childcare, pet care, or unpacking, and focus on what matters most to you. Giving yourself permission to change traditions or postpone nonessential projects can also make the transition much more manageable.