What To Pack In Your Essentials Box When Moving?
If this is your first time moving into a new place, you’re probably looking for packing tips and tricks to help you with the difficult task of not just packing up but also getting your possessions to your new address. While you are packing your stuff, for your local or long distance moving from NY, it is essential to have a variety of goods packed in your essentials box. You will need them on the day of the move and in the few days that follow, as you slowly unpack the rest of your boxes.
After a long day of moving, the last thing you want to do is spend your evening desperately searching through boxes for a toothbrush or your favorite blanket. On your first night, you want to find some essential items as soon as possible. For this reason, an essentials box, often known as an open-first box, or a basics box, is crucial. The basics box is a container or bag filled with necessities that you’ll need right away when you get to your new house. It should include everything you require for at least the first night.
For the entire family, it’s a good idea to pack one big survival box that includes some hygiene supplies (toilet paper, soap), towels, bed sheets, plastic utensils and paper plates, snacks, beverages, a first-aid kit with basic medications, and trash bags. It’s also a good idea to have some basic tools like a flashlight, a can opener, an all-purpose knife, a screwdriver, and scissors. Basically, you should include supplies that will enable you to prepare simple meals, maintain good hygiene, and handle small crises both during the local moving Brooklyn process and right away after arriving at your new house.
In order to decide what to put in your basics box depending on your own requirements and circumstances, let’s go through some of these categories in more detail.
Essential toiletries:
When you initially move in, you’ll need a bathroom with some essentials. Some bathrooms are already fully equipped when you move in and need very little additional preparation to function properly. But for your convenience, we suggest including the following items in your necessities box:
- A roll of toilet paper
- Soap, toothpaste, toothbrush
- Shower gel, shampoo
- Body and face towels
- Hairbrush (optionally a hair dryer)
- Cosmetics, deodorant
Kitchen essentials:
Moving households is a tough job and it will probably leave you hungry. Bringing snacks and drinks with you can help you stay energized while working. When loading and unloading boxes on a moving day, this category is quite significant. For the initial few days, basic foods like bread, canned goods, peanut butter, and jelly can help a lot. Don’t forget to bring non-perishable foods that you may use for breakfast the next day. For a simple meal, consider including the following items:
- Toast, peanut butter, jelly
- Canned food
- Instant noodles and soup
- Instant tea and coffee
- Crackers, chips, cereal, beverages
Of course, ordering pizza or other takeout is a good alternative as well, but you still need some kitchen basics. While it is advised that you choose prepared meals and dry food products that need little preparation on the day of the move, you should also bring some utensils in your necessities box:
- Paper plates, plastic bowls, cups, and utensils
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
Bedroom essentials:
The thing you’ll want most if you’re tired after the relocation is a comfortable bed to relax in. Nothing is more satisfying than a good night’s sleep after a difficult move. Believe us, during a moment like this, you won’t want to rummage through boxes in search of bedsheets and linens; add them to your basics box instead. Just bring what you’ll need for the first night at your new house. You will need these items in order to have a peaceful first night in your new home:
- a complete set of bed linens, including sheets, blankets, pillows, and pillowcases
- a cozy set of pajamas;
- additional socks and underwear, as well as an outfit change appropriate for the climate in your new destination
In case you arrived before your furniture, or you haven’t had time to assemble your bed, an air mattress or a sleeping bag can be a great solution for the first few nights.
Other helpful necessities:
Cleaning Basics: You can’t bring all cleaning supplies in an open-first box, but if you want to disinfect and refresh your new house before unpacking, include paper towels, wet wipes, hand sanitizers, sponges, trash bags, and an all-purpose cleaner in your basics box for moving day.
Basic tools: A few basic tools for quick and necessary repairs should be included in the necessities box. Consider packing a set of screwdrivers, scissors, a box cutter, a knife, duct tape, and a small flashlight.
Medicines: Remember to pack all prescribed meds and a small emergency kit as well, for all the cuts, bruises, or headaches that might happen during the moving process. It should include bandages, disinfectants, painkillers, etc.
You now know how to prepare an essentials box for the relocation and what to include in it. Each person has different needs, so plan out what you’ll be doing when you get to your new home and make sure you have everything you’ll need in your essentials box. Start making a list of the things you’ll need for the first few days in your new house long before you move. Having a good plan simplifies everything.
If possible, keep your box of necessities in your car during the move in case you arrive after the moving company. If you go with the NYC moving company, using professional packing and unpacking services, make sure your essentials are loaded last so you can unload them first. When you first move into your new home, this box keeps everything close at hand. Unpacking is significantly less stressful when you don’t have to wait for the entire vehicle to be unloaded in order to have a sip of water or use the bathroom. Relax and good luck!