Pack an “Open Me First” Box 
Even with the smartest planning – you did properly plan for your move, right? –
moving a household can be especially chaotic. People and boxes and vehicles and this and that and the other are always coming and going and going and coming and – whew! It’s tough to keep everything straight! … Which is why, when you (and your family?) are in your new home at last and all the unpacked boxes are scattered 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 illustrates the importance of good planning. If you’ve given it some forethought, you’ll have provisioned your first-night “Open Me First” box with …
- Toiletries
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, shavers, skin lotion, and other “gear” that helps you stay 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, should your fridge or freezer not be hooked up yet – snacks, canned goods, and so so on
- Plastic or paper plates, cups, utensils, paper towels or napkins (Even if you prefer having food delivered to preparing it in your new home that night, you’ll undoubtedly want something with which to eat and drink besides your hands!)
- Personal Items
- Only enough clothing to get you through the next day or so (Keep it simple … unless you you’ll be 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 probably won’t be available already, 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 well enough engaged. It is, after all, for just one night … or so!)
- First Aid and Medications
- There are a lot of compact, inexpensive but well-provisioned first aid kits out there. Get one!
- Don’t forget to take along any prescription medications you or your family members take. Aspirin (or some other over-the-counter painkiller) would be prudent as well.
Remember: 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.
