Is It Better To Move Before or After the Holidays?

Deciding how to deal with the holidays is a major concern for anyone considering a move near the end of the year. Some people prefer to avoid the problem by pushing their relocation to January, while others prefer to get everything wrapped up before Christmas and New Year’s. To help make up your mind, in this blog, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each option, to help you determine whether it’s better to move before or after the holidays.

Why Move Before Christmas?

Moving during the holidays creates some unique challenges, but also opportunities. While many homeowners prefer to wait until after Christmas, there are several reasons why you ought to consider scheduling your relocation before the holidays rather than after.

Savings. Demand for moving services is low during the Christmas season. As a result, movers often reduce their rates to attract business, leading to valuable savings.
Deals on Homes and Apartments. Landlords normally want to move empty units off their books before the end of the year. Sellers are equally anxious to make a deal, which gives buyers and renters a surprising amount of leverage around the holidays.
Feeling of a Brand New Beginning. Celebrating Christmas and New Year’s helps lift your spirits, alleviating the stress that often accompanies relocations. The large number of public gatherings also provides opportunities to connect with your new community, making your new home feel more bright and welcoming.
Weather. Winter storms are less likely in December than January or February. Conditions may be cold, damp, and icy, but an experienced moving crew has the skills, knowledge, and resources to work around them, so there’s less of a chance you’ll need to reschedule your move on account of the weather.

Other Factors to Consider

For many homeowners, moving before the holidays is the smart choice. However, there are some potential drawbacks you ought to take into account. These include:

Holiday Schedules. Booking a move around the holidays can be tricky, especially in the days around Christmas and New Year’s, when movers take time off to spend with their families. As a result, homeowners planning a move in late December may have trouble booking on their preferred day. If you can, book your move earlier in the month, when movers are more flexible.
Time Constraints. For most people, the holidays are the busiest time of year. Shopping for presents, attending pageants, visiting relatives, and managing professional obligations often doesn't leave much time for packing and preparation. Homeowners need to approach the task systematically, setting aside a few hours after work and on the weekend to get everything boxed up and ready to go. Hiring a full-service moving company can help. They don’t just ship your goods. They also take care of packing and logistics, leaving you free to focus on other responsibilities.
Disruptions to Holiday Routines. Relocating your household before Christmas can make it harder to celebrate the holidays, especially if you’re moving long-distance. In many cases, homeowners who move before the holidays decide to focus on the traditions that matter most to them and save the rest for next year.

Why Move After Christmas?

While there are practical benefits to moving before the holidays, many homeowners prefer to wait until the excitement from Christmas and New Year’s dies down, for several reasons.

Seasonal Festivities. It can be tough to enjoy the holidays when you’re surrounded by boxes and half-empty rooms. Moving after Christmas lets you enjoy all your traditional holiday activities to the fullest.
More Time to Plan. For most people, the Christmas season is hectic enough already. Rather than plan their relocation in the middle of holiday celebrations, they’d rather hold off until January, when there are fewer distractions.
Flexible Scheduling. Because booking a move right before or after Christmas can be difficult, many homeowners push their relocation back from late December until early January, when moving crews and services are more readily available.
Availability of Family and Friends. Your social network is a big help when you’re moving. They can help you pack, disassemble furniture, even carry heavy items out to the truck. However, due to their own personal and family commitments, they’re not always free to help before the holidays.
Travel Expenses. Airline and hotel prices rise sharply during the holiday season. If your move involves long-distance travel, moving after the holidays could help keep costs down.

Factors to Weigh Before Choosing

Even though January’s quiet compared to December, it’s not always the best time to move. There are definite disadvantages to waiting until after the holidays.

Pricing. Demand for moving services is low in January, but it’s even lower in December. Booking a move might be a little more complicated towards the end of the Christmas season, but it’s normally cheaper than waiting until the new year.
Traffic. Holiday traffic is notoriously light, especially in large cities. Booking a move close to Christmas means you won’t have to deal with congestion, shortening travel times and helping you get the most out of limited daylight hours.
School. Moving before the holidays means students can start their new school at the beginning of a fresh semester. While starting mid-way through the year isn’t ideal, winter break is a natural transition point that makes it easier for children to adjust to their new curriculum.

In the end, deciding whether to move before or after the holidays depends on your preferences and circumstances. Are you looking for savings? Would you prefer to focus on your traditional holiday routines? Do you need more time to plan? Do you have children? Are you worried about the weather? Answering these questions will help determine which choice is best for you and your family.

North American Household Moving Services

North American Van Lines has been helping homeowners relocate for over 90 years. From planning to packing to shipping, storage, and final delivery, we make moving seamless and stress-free as possible, whether you’re moving before, during, or after the holidays. No matter how big the job, our full-service moving teams help get you settled in comfortably. Contact us today for a free quote!