Packing An Essentials Box – Checklist

After going through the whole exhausting process of moving, the one thing you want to avoid is getting lost in all of the things you’ve stuffed in that big pile of boxes. Just imagine how much time you would spend trying to find the toilet paper that you’ll most definitely need right after the move. In order to avoid this kind of situation, we strongly recommend packing an essentials box. The essentials box will help you and your family get rid of the burden of unpacking absolutely everything right after stepping into your new home. On the other hand, you will totally forget about waiting on your best cross-country movers to get there, you’ll have all of the basics with you. Without further ado, let’s check out all of the essentials you’ll prepare before your move.

What is an Essentials Box?

First off, we have to explain the whole premise of preparing boxes with essentials and why it’s important. The essentials box is extremely important because, as we’ve mentioned, it simplifies the first day in your new home. Instead of having to unpack absolutely everything from most of the boxes, and then remembering you left the comb in that one box that’s under 4 other boxes, piled with even more things, and so on and so forth. Not to mention that you’ll have to wait for your Florida cross-country movers to come in order to get all of your stuff. So in one sentence, the essentials box is your go-to storage with the most important possessions you’ll need as soon as entering your new home. We’re talking soap, shampoo, toilet paper, bed sheets, pajamas, a meal, etc. This will reduce stress and make for a smoother transition.

Not only does it help with stress, but it will also be useful for emergencies. That’s why you’ll throw in a small med kit while packing an essentials box, better safe than sorry. It should contain the ingredients to create a fairly simple meal/snack for when you arrive or that evening. That way, you don’t need to run to the supermarket right away. Also, a little entertainment wouldn’t hurt. Therefore, packing a little game for the kids, or a radio to set up for the unpacking process is more than just a great idea. Essentially, having all of these important things close by will simplify your move by a mile and make everyone a bit happier.

Packing An Essentials Box: How?

In order to be successful in having truly proficient essentials boxes, we need to go through a few tips. First off, every member of the family, including the pets, will need a different set of belongings. True, you will still share some of them, like the bathroom equipment and food. That’s why you can have a shared essentials box. Therefore, having multiple essential boxes is not a bad idea. Meaning that each member of the family will have their own box with what they will find useful. For the kids, parents, and grandparents, everyone can turn to packing their own box with essentials and preparing their rooms before your South Carolina long-distance movers arrive. You should easily be able to fit their essentials in the car without much sweat.

According to everything we’ve mentioned, the first step would be to label each box accordingly. Afterward, it’s best if you let the person whose name is written on the box put their own essentials in. That’s if they aren’t going to put unnecessary objects in, which is why you get one box per person. Not multiple. Apart from the boxes each person packs, there should be either a general box with everything else or a box labeled like the room you are getting the essentials from. The second option might be a better idea because we don’t want to spend too much digging through one box. There might be certain things you’ll need from the kitchen that you find essential, the bathroom, etc. Remember, we’re talking just essentials, things you’ll need as soon as you take a step into your new place.

Things You’ll Need in an Essentials Box

We’re going to cover each room and individual that might need a specific essentials box. What’s really important to us is you get a clear idea of how you should be packing boxes with essentials. So one by one, we’ll cover the “universal essentials box”, the kid’s essential box, and the room-specific essential boxes. The universal essential box will be a guide to a single box containing the go-to objects you’ll hang onto after a move. That exact box is the one you put last into the car. You shouldn’t hand it to your best cross-country Washington movers. Why’s that? Because you’ll need quick access to it, and we want to get it out first after the move. The kid’s essential box will contain everything we believe the kids need as soon as entering the house. The room-specific boxes have, well, objects stored in specific rooms like the kitchen, bedroom, etc.

Packing an Essentials Box: The Universal Essentials Box

Keep in mind that the universal box might have to be spread apart in multiple boxes instead of just one. That heavily depends on the personal standpoint on the essentials for packing in a box you’ll need. We can’t be 100% on point since everyone has their own likings and priorities. Let’s begin:

• Small emergency kit – Safety first, everything else comes after.
• Important documents – Things like passports, medical records, financial information, leases, etc.
• Shower curtain – No one likes peeking!
• Garbage bags – Whether you are moving to South Carolina or moving to Texas, you will most likely have to throw something away.
• Scissors or a knife – What will you open the boxes with?
• Flashlight –  Especially if you are traveling during the night.
• Basic tools – A hammer, screwdriver, and wrench that you should think about when packing an essentials box.
• Coffee – If coffee is your preferred brew, there is no way you are skipping this one.
• A few mugs, plates, forks, knives, and spoons – If you are planning on having a simple meal when you arrive, we don’t want you eating with your hands.
• Plastic cups, plates, and utensils – If you think the previously mentioned things are too much, this might be a simpler alternative.
• Toaster – If you are arriving during the morning, a toast is probably the fastest meal you can prepare and go back to work.
• Pet food – We can’t be just thinking about ourselves when preparing a box with essentials, can we?
• Medications – Apart from an emergency kit, certain people might need very specific medication. Alternatively, someone’s stomach might not be too fond of traveling for too long.
• Games or other entertainment sources – Your kids certainly need quick access to something that will keep their minds off the new environment.

The Bathroom Essentials Box

Now that we are done with the basics, let’s take a look at packing specific essential boxes. We listed the bathroom first since we truly believe that it’s the most important room to cover. You really just can’t go anywhere without the bathroom classics. Notice that you’ll spend a lot of time packing the bathroom boxes and preparing the list of what bathroom supplies you should buy before moving to your new home. Especially because the bathrooms hide a bunch of essential equipment. No worries though, we’re here to break down just the most important ones. So let’s peek into what you’ll need in the bathroom essentials box:

• Toilet paper – What could we ever do without this one?
• Soap – It’s something you want at hand as soon as you move in. After all, the first thing you’ll do when you come into your new home is clean your hands. Therefore it’s important to consider adding it in when packing boxes with essentials.
• Shower curtains – Mentioned this one before, but it’s just more specific for the bathroom.
• Toothbrushes – Refreshing yourself after a long road is something you will crave, believe us.
• Towels – Hygiene in the first place, everyone should pack their personal towel while packing an essentials box.
• The hair dryer – Something most people will see as a must after a good shower.
• Cosmetics – Imagine having an important meeting after the move, you’ll have to think about looking good.
• Band-aid – Accidents happen, it’s on you to be ready to take action as soon as they do.

The Kitchen Essentials Box

Right after the bathroom comes the kitchen. Another room that you absolutely need to pay attention to when thinking about what to pack when moving cross-country. Otherwise, you will regret having to run to the supermarket right after a long, exhausting trip. We don’t want you constantly moving from one place to another without properly resting. Not only that, if you prepared some snacks you’ll need to clean the mess that you’ve made. Without further rambling, let’s see what will packing an essentials box for your kitchen surely include:

• Trash bags – Before you know it, you’ll want to dispose of something.
• Coffee or some other brew – If you are a coffee person, you know this is a must.
• A few mugs – It just goes alongside the brews you’ll bring.
• Dish soap – After a drink or meal, you won’t want to make a mess in your new sink.
• All-purpose cleaner – This thing is a lifesaver, always good to have it close.
• Cleaning gloves – Some people prefer being as safe as possible when it comes to cleaning.
• All the ingredients for a basic dish – It’s always good to have a nice snack after a long ride. You don’t need to go over the top, just make a simple little meal.
• Basic spices – In order to make the meal properly you’ll need to prepare everything you need to spice it up a bit!
• Disposable plates and utensils – You won’t be eating out of the pot, right?
• Paper towels – Easy to dispose of and always good to have.

Preparations for the Kiddos

The kids always require a bit of added attention. Whether it’s a toy they just can’t calm down without or a certain snack they are insisting on getting along the road, they usually prove to be quite the job. Focusing on their personal needs is just a must in a situation like this. There you go, that’s a free packing tip for an interstate move. Hopefully, you’ll find just the right thing while preparing boxes with essentials to keep your kids happy. If the kids are happy, everybody’s happy. After all, they definitely aren’t very fond of long roads Well, check out what we think the kids just can’t go without:

• A game or two – Maybe it’s their favorite tabletop game or a Nintendo DS. You’ll want to calm down after traveling, so it might one of the best ways to entertain your kids during a move.
• Their go-to little toy – Almost every kid has a toy that keeps them happy or they carry around everywhere. This is one of those things you seriously shouldn’t forget when packing a box with essentials.
• Blankets – If perchance the weather doesn’t prove to be the best, you’ll want to keep them comfy and warm.
• Snacks – In case the tummy starts growling, there’s nothing but a little snack that can satisfy it.
• Baby items – If you have a baby, it is incredibly important to prepare everything they will need whilst packing an essentials box. . Things such as diapers, a spare pacifier, and maybe even the cradle.
• A change of clothes – Not to mention everyone will need it after the trip anyways, apart from that, a drink can be spilled before you know it.

Items for each member of the family

Apart from taking care of the kids, you have to take care of yourself. However, the things that we will mention should be prepared for the children also. It’s even safe to mention that you’ll need these items regardless of where you are moving to. Therefore, cooperating with f.e. Jacksonville long-distance movers or any other movers won’t change this list much. These essentials for packing in a box are for each and every member of the family. From one person to another, let’s see what every personalized box should contain:

• Toothbrush
• Medications
• Books
• Pajamas
• Glasses/Contact Lens
• Chargers, Phones, Laptops
• Hairbrush

Conclusion

Not every list of essentials will be the same, every person will have their own priorities. Therefore, if your list differs from what we’ve mentioned above, don’t be surprised. Either way, we did our best to capture what absolutely every household will most likely have to throw in while packing an essentials box. You can use this article as a good reference when you are preparing for your big move. It’s always best if you personalize our checklist to your own liking. Afterward, write it all down and mark down each item one by one after packing it in. We hope that our checklist ends up being helpful, and we wish you the best of luck with your relocation.