Blog December 9, 2022

How to Throw a Packing Party When Moving Across the Country

Posted in How-to
Anastasia Hill

Apart from being the next fashion icon, Anastasia is also a freelance writer and expert on moving (and packing clothes).

Are you in the process of moving across the country? If so, you know that it can be very stressful. One way to make it a little bit easier is to throw a packing party with your friends and family. In this article, we will discuss how to throw this type of party and what you need to do to prepare for it. We hope that this information will help make your move less stressful!

Interstate moving can be a stressful and expensive process, but it doesn’t have to be. Packing parties are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative way to move your belongings from one home to another. But what exactly is a packing party? Here’s what you need to know.

What Is a Packing Party?

A packing party is an organized gathering of people during which they help you prepare your things for the move. These parties usually involve friends and family members who come together to provide help with the physical labor of moving. This can include packing furniture, carrying cardboard boxes, and sometimes even loading trucks. The goal is to facilitate the entire process of moving from state to state while making it as fun and efficient as possible in order to reduce stress on everyone involved.

Why Should You Throw It? Benefits of a Packing Party

One of the biggest benefits of moving and having an event like this is that it’s often cheaper than hiring professional movers. Since friends and family are typically willing to lend their time for free or minimal compensation, it can reduce the costs associated with services for moving interstate. Additionally, since most people know each other at this gathering, trust levels tend to be higher if you believe that your friends will handle your belongings carefully. This can also lead to better communication between all parties involved, which makes for smoother transitions during the move itself.

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Downsides of a Getting Help From Friends and Family

Sure, getting help from your friends and family members can be beneficial for relocation costs, especially if your relocation budget is tight. Unfortunately, some people find themselves having to move alone, as they don’t have many friends in their current city. On the other hand, they can have friends who need to work during their move or take care of their personal business. There are many factors that can affect whether they are going to help you or not.

They can also agree to assist you with the move, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll move safely. Just because they are your friends and you love them, it doesn’t mean that they are naturally strong and physically prepared for carrying heavy furniture around or that they magically know how to pack glasses like professional state-to-state movers. No matter how strong their willingness to help you is, their help can sometimes affect your move negatively. This is why you must be aware of their strength, experience, and knowledge before asking for their assistance.

Another thing that can be problematic when counting on your friends’ assistance is that something unexpected can come up – for example, they could get sick and bail on you at the last minute. This can’t happen if you hire a professional long-distance moving company. Movers will come to help you on the desired date, no matter if the team is slightly changed because one of the members is prevented from coming to work that day. This means that your move, in general, won’t get affected.

A stressed girl
Sometimes, there just won't be anyone available to help

Begin With Decluttering

Moving can be stressful, and there is nothing worse than packing up items that are just taking up space in the truck. To make your move smoother and easier, it’s important to get rid of items that are not worth packing. Here’s how to go about sorting through your stuff so you don’t waste time and money packing useless items and know exactly what to keep.

Make a List of Items You Can Live Without

The first step is to make a move-out list of all the items you have in your home or apartment. This way, you will be able to easily identify which items are essential and which ones are not. You should also consider whether or not an item will be useful in your new home or if it would be better off donated or thrown away. When making this list, think about what items can easily be replaced and which ones are irreplaceable. If something belongs in the latter category, then it should stay with you during the move.

Sell Items Online for Extra Money

Besides organizing a garage sale, you can also sell items online before you move. Sites like eBay and Craigslist allow people to sell unwanted items quickly and easily. You can even use social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace to post pictures of any furniture or decor pieces that might still be in good condition but no longer fit into your current lifestyle. Selling these items online is also a great way to earn some extra cash before your move, which can help improve the relocation budget needed for expenses like movers or rent deposits on your new place.

Donate Unwanted Belongings to Charity

If there are any items that are still functional but no longer serve any purpose for you, consider donating them to charity instead of throwing them away. Charities such as Goodwill take donations from individuals and families looking to declutter their homes before moving day. Donating these belongings will ensure they don’t end up in landfills and could potentially benefit those less fortunate than yourself – it’s a win-win situation!

Clothes and hat on the rack
You can sell some of your stuff online

Send Invitations to Potential Guests

Figure out who will be able to make it on the day of your move and packing event. If you’ve got a lot of fragile items that need to be packed with care, invite people who will be able to handle those items with extra caution. If you need help organizing boxes, ask friends or family who are great at organizing and labeling things – they’ll know exactly how to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Make sure everyone knows the date, time, and address so they can arrive ready for action! Check out this video to learn how to make fun and creative invitations.

Get All the Necessary Supplies in Advance

Once you know who is coming, start gathering supplies like cardboard boxes, packing tape, scissors or box cutters, bubble wrap or newspaper for cushioning breakables, and permanent markers for labeling boxes. Make sure all items are available before guests arrive, so there’s no wasted time running around looking for supplies.

Empty boxes used for interstate moving
Prepare all of the needed supplies before your guests arrive

Get Party Supplies for a Better Atmosphere

Having the right supplies for your boxing-up party can make all the difference in creating a fun atmosphere. You’re going to be spending a lot of time at this gathering, so it’s important to make it comfortable for everyone involved. Remember that people work better when their stomachs are full. Prepare some snacks and drinks as well as comfy seating options where people can take breaks as needed during the boxing-up process. Stock up on snacks like chips and dip or order pizza delivery so people stay energized during the entire event.

Music is always a great way to set the mood – choose upbeat tunes that will encourage everyone to stay energized while they work! You may even want to provide some entertainment, such as board games or cards, that participants can play when they need a break from boxing.

Party Favors Are Always a Good Idea

Last but not least, don’t forget about party favors! Everyone who helps out with the move deserves something special for their hard work. Consider giving out small gifts like mugs or t-shirts as tokens of appreciation. This will offer everyone additional motivation throughout the moving process and add an extra element of fun as well!

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Create a Good Packing Strategy

With the right strategy, you can make sure that your move is efficient and organized. Here are some tips on how to create an effective preparation strategy to help make your move as stress-free as possible. If your strategy fails, getting professional packing services is always a safe option.

Set up Storage Areas

The first step in creating an effective strategy is to set up storage areas. You’ll need one area for items that you plan on keeping, another for items you plan on selling or donating, and one for items that you plan on throwing away or recycling. This will help keep your boxing process organized and efficient, as you’ll know exactly where to put each item.

Start Early

The next step in creating an effective boxing strategy is to start early. Give yourself enough time so that you’re not rushed when it comes time to pack up your belongings. This will also give you more of an opportunity to properly sort through all of your possessions and decide what should stay and what should go before you even begin packing.

Use Appropriate Containers

Another key element in creating an effective boxing strategy is using appropriate containers for all your belongings. Make sure that all the fragile items are packed securely in sturdy boxes, and consider investing in wardrobe boxes or hanging garment bags to allow your clothes to stay wrinkle-free while they’re being moved from place to place.

Label Everything Clearly

It may sound tedious, but making sure everything is clearly labeled will save you tons of time in the long run as you unpack at your new home. For starters, ensure containers with delicate objects are marked with “Fragile,” so they don’t get damaged during the move.

Create labels that indicate what room each box belongs to (e.g., “Kitchen”) as well as what type of contents are inside (e.g., “Dishes”). That way, when someone says, “Where’s my favorite mug?” you’ll know just where it is! Labeling boxes clearly also helps movers keep track of everything during transport, which is a must if you’re hiring professional movers!

Crucial Tips for Hosting a Packing Party

If you decide that hosting a boxing up party is right for you, there are some important tips you should keep in mind before getting started:

  • First and foremost, make sure that everyone knows their roles beforehand so that they can be properly prepared – this will save time and energy on the day of the move itself.
  • It’s also important to provide snacks and drinks so that everyone stays energized throughout the process, as well as offer incentives like gift cards or movie tickets afterward, if possible.
  • Finally, make sure that everyone has clear instructions about where things should go around your home, so there are no delays or confusion at any point during the relocation process.

Follow These Tips, and Your Party Will Be a True Success

Throwing a packing party is the perfect way to get organized and have some fun while you do it. By following these simple tips, your gathering will be a success. So grab some friends, put on your favorite tunes, and start packing!

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