Should You Move On Christmas?

You may think that only Ebenezer Scrooge would contemplate a move on Christmas Day, but there can be good reasons for establishing yourself in a new home during the holiday season. Maybe you don’t celebrate Christmas, or have one last chance to relocate before the New Year.

Either way, there’s no getting around the fact that you’ll be giving up leisure time that might otherwise be spent relaxing with friends and family, said Diane Gibson, the president of Cox Armored Mini Storage Management in Phoenix.

“Historically, we have not seen a lot of people moving on the holidays,” Gibson said. “They are enjoying being with their family.”

There may be some advantages to moving on Christmas that you haven’t considered.

“If you have family coming in from out of town, they will be an extra set of hands,” said Amy Trager, a professional organizer and Trager.

The Pros of Moving on Christmas

  • You won’t need to disrupt your job. If you’re very busy at work and reluctant to take time away from your job, scheduling a move on Christmas could be the solution to your problem. You can schedule your move during your time off.
  • If you have children you can plan your move during Christmas break and avoid having to pull them out of school.
  • Moving will be easier when traffic is light. If you plan to rent a moving truck, you’ll probably want to travel to your new home when traffic is light, Trager said. On Christmas morning, when most people are opening their presents, you can have the highway to yourself for a relatively stress-free drive.
  • You can turn your move into a holiday party. If you can keep a positive attitude, you can combine the task of moving with holiday fun. Splurge on snacks and beverages to spread good cheer to your helpers. If you have children, make sure they have enough activities to stay occupied, said Cathy Goodwin, the author of “Making the Big Move: How to Transform Relocation Into a Creative Life Transition.”
  • You’ll see in the New Year in your new home. If you move on Christmas, you’ll be settled in time for the New Year. Plan a New Year’s Eve party to celebrate your new home.

The Cons of Moving on Christmas

  • Don’t count on a relaxing experience. Moving on Christmas isn’t a job for the meek. All moves are stressful, but on Christmas you’ll be combining a difficult task with managing expectations of friends and family that go all out for Christmas. If people feel strongly about their holiday traditions, “then I would not recommend moving on Christmas Day,” said Trager.
  • You may have to pay extra for help. If you decide to move on Christmas, prepare to pay extra for a professional moving truck and crew, Goodwin said. That’s because most moving companies give their staffs the day off.
  • If you plan to use a rental truck, you might have to pay for an extra day’s rental. Good luck finding a rental facility that’s open on Christmas.

Think Your Decision Through

If moving on Christmas will make you feel deprived of the holiday experience, you may need to pick another date. However, if you can handle the stress without losing the holiday spirit, a Christmas move could be the right choice for you.

Emmet Pierce

About 
Emmet is an award-winning journalist based in the San Diego area.