How To Pack & Move In A Weekend

Are you trying to pack & move in a weekend? Chances are you’ve probably moved at least once in your lifetime. During those times, you’ve probably had enough time to carefully follow a moving plan and mentally prepare for moving day. But what if moving day is only a few days away? It might be hard to believe, but the truth is that thousands of people per year have to do just that.

For whatever reason, they end up having to work through weeks, if not months’ worth of work, in one weekend. If you find yourself in a similar position, worry not. We are here to tell you that you aren’t alone. There are tons of ways to make a successful move in just one weekend, and we are sharing the best ones in this blog. Keep reading to find out how.

  1. Slow down. If you’re thinking that slowing down is the exact opposite of what you need to do, hear us out. Have you ever been in a rush to open your door? Frantically rummaging through your keys only to discover that none of them seem to work? That’s what panic does. The same concept applies here. Before you do anything, you have to take a deep breath and keep breathing throughout the whole weekend. Then, you have to do one task at a time and approach each task entirely concentrated and energized.
  2. Purge. The great thing about having to move so quickly is that it forces you to prioritize. To save time and space while packing, you’ll want to start purging everything and anything you can. You want to make a list of three things: things you want to donate, things you want to trash, and things you want to keep. Start by trashing everything you can. When in doubt, just trash it. If you haven’t used it in the last year and it has no sentimental value, trash it. Next, grab some trash bags and start putting away the things you want to donate. You can drop them off at a donation center on your way out or just mark them so you know they’re not important during the move.
  3. Start packing. This is the most critical and time-consuming part of the move. Because you’re pressed for time, you’ll have to get creative and find ways to be resourceful with what you have. For example, you can try:
  • Keeping clothes in dressers and moving them as is
  • Using towels to protect things like mirrors and dishes
  • Consider hiring someone to move the big furniture on the first day while you pack up the more minor things.
  • Having your family pack up their things as best they can.
  • Fill up suitcases and purses with anything you can
  • Leave clothes on hangers.
  1. Ask for help. The term “one for all and all for one” never felt so right. If you have friends and family that can help, now is the time to enlist everyone. If you have enough people, you can even assign each of them a room. This kind of organization and management will make it that much easier to finish quicker.
  2. Trash bags are your new best friend. Listen, no one likes to throw their pretty things in trash bags, but when you’re pressed for time like this, sometimes you have to cut your losses. So first, try to quickly analyze what needs to be folded up and packed away the “right way.” Then, figure out what can survive being thrown in a trash bag. Things like throw pillows, toys, and even shoes usually qualify for the lowly trash bags.
  3. Get supplies and get organized. This one is frustrating because it does require some time to get out and shop, but it will help things run so much quicker in the long run. Make a list of packing supplies that you’ll absolutely need. Things like:
  • Bubble wrap
  • Tape
  • Sharpies
  • Boxes
  • Scissors
  • Box knives
  • Zip ties
  • Dish packing kits

All these things will make your packing a lot quicker and easier. If you have time before the weekend, you can even order them from websites like Amazon or Walmart (which usually deliver within a couple of days). With that said, you can absolutely get by without most, if not all of them, so don’t sweat it if you can’t get your hands on them in time.

7. Pack your overnight bag NOW. This is an essential tip for all people planning to move. If you are moving in a single weekend, you are definitely going to need it. Your overnight bag should consist of the following:

  • Pajamas
  • Toilet paper and other toiletries
  • Phone chargers
  • Lightbulbs
  • First aid kit
  • Important documents
  • Cash

Having this bag ready ahead of time serves as insurance of sorts. No matter what happens, how late you finish, or how tired you are, you will have everything you need with you at the end of the day in one bag. We would go as far as saying you should pack this before anything else, and while you still know where everything is.

8. Take care of utilities. It can be easy to forget the logistics of moving in the midst of the chaos. Use any spare time you have to call utility companies and cancel any services. Change your address, and if you want to hire a moving company, call as soon as you know you’re moving. You really don’t want to leave these things for after the move. Not only will it make the move more stressful, but you’ll delay the process of getting settled into your new home.

If you follow all these tips, we have no doubt you will handle your weekend move like a total pro. As long as you go into it with a good attitude and try your best not to let it stress you out too much, the experience will be like ripping off a Band-Aid. After all, how many times in your life do you think you’ll have to move in just one weekend? You can also always enlist help from a professional mover if you’re crunched for time.