Pack an “Open Me First” Box 
Even with the smartest 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 forever 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 most useful “something” to have is an “Open Me First” box. But that just illustrates the value of sound planning. If you’ve given it some forethought, you’ll have crammed your first-night “Open Me First” box with …
- Toiletries
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, shavers, skin lotion, and [[whatever else keeps you fresh, hygienic, and looking good
- 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 so on
- Plastic or paper plates, cups, utensils, paper towels or napkins (Even if you’d rather order out than cook, you’ll probably 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 figure 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 probably won’t be connected yet, so you can rule out 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 entertained. 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 on the market. Get one!
- You should also plan to bring along any prescription medications you or your family members take. Aspirin (or some other over-the-counter painkiller) would be wise too.
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.
