Pack an “Open Me First” Box 
Even with the best of planning – you did properly plan for your move, right? –
moving a household can be very 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 up with it all! … Which is why, when you (and your family?) have made it to your new home and all the unopened boxes are sitting around with all your stuff still in ’em, you’ll need something handy to help you through your first night.
The right “something” to have is an “Open Me First” box. Of course, that’s where good planning comes in. If you’ve given it some reflection, you’ll have provisioned your first-night “Open Me First” box with …
- Toiletries
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, shavers, skin lotion, and [[whatever else helps you maintain your hygiene and appearance
- towels (also maybe washcloths or loofahs or some such items, depending on your preference)
- Kitchen/Meal Essentials
- A few non-perishable foods, as your fridge or freezer may not be hooked up yet – snacks, canned goods, and so forth
- Plastic or paper plates, cups, utensils, paper towels or napkins (Even if you’d rather order out than cook, you’ll undoubtedly want something with which to eat and drink besides your hands!)
- Personal Items
- A day or two’s worth of clothes (Keep it simple … unless you plan on 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 may not be up and running yet, so you can forget bringing along DVDs or Blu-rays. You know you’ve been looking for 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 lots of small, inexpensive but properly stocked first aid kits you can get. Get one!
- You’ll also want to bring along any prescription medications you or your family members take. Aspirin (or some other over-the-counter painkiller) would be wise as well.
Take heed: the better you plan and the sooner you do it, the smoother your move will go. And the better your first night will be in your new home.
