What to Pack for Your First Night in Your New Home
Once you have finally gotten through the arduous series of challenges that are required to reach your first night in your new home, you may feel as though you’ve gotten through the worst of it and can finally take a load off and relax. This isn’t far from true—while you will have certainly overcome a great deal of tasks to reach the point that you’re at now, it is still important to remember that you won’t be entirely out of the woods just yet!
One of the most significant (and convenient) ways that you can make sure that things go off without a hitch on your first night will be to put together a first-night moving box or similar container of pure “essentials” that you will need to make your way through the early phases of living in a new space.
We created a comprehensive first night in a new house checklist you can use to prepare and plan accordingly. This list outlines all of the essentials you may want to include in your first-night moving box to keep you and your family comfortable during the first few nights.
Here's how to prepare for your first night in a new home:
Keeping Clean
Socks, underwear, etc.—the classic go-to
Believe it or not, that old advice on staying prepared in any situation rings especially true when you’re staying in your new home for the very first time.
Hygiene, and plenty of it
It’s good to place a particular focus on keeping yourself clean once you arrive at the new digs. A house that has sat uninhabited for months or longer can often be host to some unique buildups of funk that will wear off after a quick once-over from the new tenants (in this case, you). However, when you first arrive, you’ll want to take matters into your own hands in the form of antibacterial soaps, wet wipes, and other basic cleanliness items to ensure that you stay on point.
Any and all needed toiletries
You don’t want to avoid skipping out on any needed personal maintenance along the way. It can almost go without saying that you’ll want to keep items such as your bathroom essentials, toothbrush, etc., on hand. Review your bathroom loadout multiple times before you head out to make sure you aren’t forgetting seemingly minor things such as toothpaste, toilet tissue, and the like.
Personal Items
A few changes of clothes
Ensuring good hygiene and peace of mind in a new place requires more than just a change of socks. At least one full change of clothes is essentially a requirement for your first night, so you’ll want to have them on hand without having to dig.
Needed documents, paperwork
Do you have any relevant documents that you’ll need to keep on hand shortly after arriving in your new town? Whether it’s a lease, a passport, or basic things like your ID, you’ll want to make sure that all of these are on you throughout the move and quickly accessible in case you need them.
Food, Drink, & Kitchen Needful Things:
More snacks than you think you need
Food is generally presented by movers as one of the most underrated (and unexpected) challenges they run into along the way—for an easy fix, keep an eye out for snack foods that are easy to keep on the go –sealable containers of nuts, individually wrapped crackers, granola bars, boiled eggs, sliced fruit and more are all suitable foods to tide you over as you make your way, and for after you’ve arrived.
Portable utensils/plates
Whether you opt for a slew of portable paper plates and plastic forks or simply throw a handful of your own kitchenware into an on hand box, you’ll want to do what you can to ensure that everyone has the supplies they need to eat upon arrival. Keep in mind that your new kitchen won’t be handy for the next day or two.
Getting Some Shut-eye:
Prepare some pajamas
Regardless of the kind of person you are, odds are you’ll want to be able to change out of the clothes you’ve been in all day before turning in for the night. With that being said, it’s a good idea to keep a set of pajamas or other sleepwear essentials on hand.
Sleep solutions
In most cases, you’re not going to have a bed be sleep-ready on your first night after moving. An ideal (and easy to pack) solution can be an air mattress or similar inflatable bed. Just make sure that you keep the appropriate air pump or other needed accessories on you as well. If an air mattress simply can’t happen, try to bridge the gap with needed sleeping bags or similar items—anything that you can fall back on in order to get some rest.
Sleep accessories
An air mattress or sleeping bag alone might not be enough to cut it. At the very least, a few blankets and pillows should come along for the ride to allow enough comfort to truly get some sleep on your first night. In addition, these types of accessories can also be great in a pinch during long road trips the involve making your way across the country overnight.
First Aid & Tools
Any and all regular meds
If there are any medications regularly taken by you or your family, it’s a priority to keep these on hand throughout the trip. Additionally, you might consider bringing along basic over the counter staples such as aspirin and the like.
First Aid supplies
Getting scraped up along the way tends to be a realistic risk factor when moving furniture in. Having supplies on hand to handle basic disinfecting, bandaging, etc. can minimize a great deal of issues.
Box cutter
This go to tool’s time to shine has come! From unpacking to breaking down boxes, this handy tool can be used in a number of ways. Just make sure to read up on a few safety tips in order to stay protected from any unwanted mishaps.
Screwdrivers
Having a basic flathead and Phillips head screwdriver on hand can save you a great deal of hassle when it comes to setting up certain pieces of furniture.
Miscellaneous
Pet supplies
Whether or not this step matters comes down to whether or not you have one or more pets on deck for your initial arrival. If so, getting them acclimated healthily (and cared for properly) during your first days will mean that you’ll need to bring along everything that they would normally need at home. Food, water, leashes, medications, a familiar place to sleep, and items like toys to help them make the new place feel like home.
Babies and young children's essentials
If you have any young movers along for the first night, you’ll need to ensure that any goods they might need are on hand throughout. Anything from special snacks, diapers, and cleaning supplies to favorite personal items are all great ideas and can help smoothen the overall process as you and your family attempt the crash course to get settled in.
Tech and Connectivity Essentials
Wi-Fi Setup Tools
Whether you work from home or need the internet to keep the kids entertained, you'll likely want to get your Wi-FI set up as soon as possible. Most basic Wi-FI setups require a router, modem and ethernet cable. You may also need a Wi-Fi extender and network adapter. For more information, contact your service provider for a comprehensive list of setup tools.
Power Strips
Not sure what the outlet situation is in your new home? With extra power strips in your first-night box, you can ensure you have enough outlets for technology, chargers and electronics. It's also great to have on hand when you first move in so you can use tools to set up furniture and appliances if needed.
Extension Cords
You never know when you might need an extension cord. If an outlet is out of reach, extension cords are great to have on hand. With extension cords, you can set up TVs for your little ones, use power tools for assembly and have more flexibility with your home layout.
Electronic chargers and accessories
While things like your phone or tablet may be good to go for the duration of your road trip without needing to be charged, you might quickly realize that you’re in trouble once you get settled in at your new place. Keeping a couple of key chargers on you (or even a multipurpose charger with some adapters) will mean that you won’t have to worry about using your electronics on borrowed time.
Safety and Security
Locks
Locks are great for your new front gate or front door. They provide extra security and peace of mind for you and your family. If you have small toddlers, you might also consider bringing child safety locks for the kitchen or bathroom.
Security Camera and Tools
A Ring camera or alternative front door camera is a smart tool that's easy to install and provides peace of mind. Packing it into your first-night moving box ensures it will get installed in the first few days of moving in. It will also give you and your family an extra layer of security in your new neighborhood.
Flashlights
You never know if the power will be on or off when you first move in. A light bulb in the basement might be out, or you might need to go outside late at night to check something. Anything can happen when it’s your first night in a new home! With a handy flashlight, you can get around the house and gain peace of mind during your first few nights.
Batteries
Batteries are an everyday essential you'll want to have close by. Whether it's for your flashlights, power tools, or small electronics, consider adding a pack of double A or triple A batteries into your first-night moving box, just in case.
Kids' Transition Comforts
Familiar Toys
Familiar toys and comfort plush animals are great add-ins to continue bringing with you in your first-night moving box. Moving can be stressful and unfamiliar, but with toys and activities, you can keep your kids entertained while you get settled into your new home.
Bedding
Your kid's bedding, pillows, and even stuffed animals are great to have on hand. Adding these items to the box will keep your kids comfortable on your first night.
Activity Kits
The last thing you want to do is try to keep your kids entertained while you're unpacking, moving furniture and setting things up. Coloring books, electronic games and board games are great to have on hand to keep them busy.
Local Information Preparation
List of Local Businesses
If you're moving to a new city or state, consider creating a list of local grocery stores, restaurants and local coffee shops. This way, if you need to run out to grab food or snacks for your family, you'll have a list of places you can try on your first night.
List of Local Services
Knowing where a local hospital, urgent care, or veterinary office is near your new home can be beneficial in an emergency. So, if anything goes wrong or someone gets hurt while unpacking, you can plan accordingly and get the help you need.
Trash and Recycling Info
You'll likely have a considerable amount of trash, boxes and packing materials you'll need to throw away or recycle. Knowing when the waste collector arrives will help you plan accordingly. It will also ensure you won't need to live surrounded by trash and clutter.
