You want to be able to relax the first night in your new home—not feel stressed doing more rummaging and sorting. That’s how an open-first box can help. It’s a box that you’ll pack with all of the essential items you’ll need to immediately start getting settled.
Smart Things to Pack for Your Open-First Moving Box
One of the key challenges when packing an open-first box is deciding what items are truly essential for the first day or night. You can start by prioritizing the items that will make the biggest difference for even just those first few hours in your home. What do you need to be comfortable, and what things do you want close-by for convenience? This list can help you think of what to include.
1. Toiletries and Personal Care Items
Like with any overnight bag, consider starting with your toiletries and personal care. Separate your toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, and a towel from your other moving boxes and have them at the ready to establish the right evening routine.
2. Clothing and Bedding
You might also want to pack a change of clothes for each family member, along with pajamas for the first night. Don’t forget your bedding essentials, like bed sheets, pillows, and blankets either. Marking that box as another open-first box can help you find everything easily.
3. Medications and First Aid
Accidents happen, and safety should always come first. Remember to pack a basic first aid kit and any necessary prescription medications. Having immediate access to first aid supplies is crucial for addressing any minor injuries.
4. Chargers and Electronics
This includes phone chargers and laptop chargers. Keeping your devices fully charged will keep you connected and organized during the move.
5. Snacks and Hydration
Moving can be exhausting, and you might not have the time or energy to prepare a meal immediately. Packing non-perishable snacks and bottled water or other drinks to keep everyone fueled and hydrated during the transition can also help your morale up!
6. Important Documents
Keep all essential documents in one place. This includes identification documents, moving-related paperwork, and any other important records. Making these readily available will save you from frantic searching when you need them.
7. Basic Kitchen and Cleaning Supplies
You’ll probably want to avoid dishwashing for a while as you unpack and unwind, so put some disposable plates, cups, and utensils in an open-first box. A small pot or pan and instant coffee or tea bags can also come in handy. Also, don’t forget basic cleaning supplies like paper towels and all-purpose cleaner to tidy up your new space quickly.
8. Helpful Tools
Be prepared for any unexpected situations by packing basic tools like a screwdriver, scissors, and a utility knife.
9. Child and Pet Necessities
If you have children or pets, pack items that will keep them comfortable. This may include diapers and wipes, pet food, and bowls.
10. Special Items and Sentimental Value
Lastly, include any items of sentimental value or importance. These could be favorite framed photographs or other nice mementos to help your new place really feel like home right away!
It’s important to note at the start that fitting all of your items in one box might be unrealistic, but it’s certainly nice to have everything neatly kept together. This all depends on the size of the box and the specific items you choose. Whether you can manage a single box per person, or you need to create a small collection of open-first boxes, be sure to label each box clearly, and keep it easily accessible during the move. Then you’ll have all of the essentials you need, all in one place!