Most people don't pick the holidays as their moving season on purpose. A closing date lands the week of Thanksgiving, a new job starts on January 4, or the only free days anyone has are the ones between Christmas and New Year's. Suddenly you're packing boxes in the same weeks you're hosting dinner, buying gifts and getting the kids through the end of the school term.
We've been moving families and businesses from our Enfield home base since 2011, across Hartford County, Tolland County and Western Massachusetts, and we see plenty of holiday moves every year. They can go just as smoothly as a spring move. The difference is that the calendar does more of the work against you, so the planning has to start earlier and be a little more deliberate. Below are the holiday moving tips we share with our own customers, from picking your date to packing the ornaments to getting through the first holiday in a new home.
Why Holiday Moves Need Their Own Plan
A holiday move isn't harder because of the boxes. It's harder because everything else gets busier at the same time.
The calendar fills up fast. For 2026, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26. Hanukkah begins at sundown on Friday, December 4 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, December 12. Christmas Day lands on a Friday, and so does New Year's Day 2027. That means three long weekends in a row where offices, banks, utilities and some town services keep shorter hours or close.
The roads get crowded. Thanksgiving is the busiest travel holiday of the year. For Thanksgiving 2025, AAA projected a record 81.8 million people would travel at least 50 miles from home, with nearly 90 percent of them going by car. AAA has also flagged Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons before Thanksgiving as the worst times to be on the road. If your move involves highway miles that week, timing matters.
Your attention is split. Hosting, travel, school concerts, work deadlines and gift shopping all compete for the same evenings you'd normally spend packing.
The upside is real, too. Late fall and winter are a quieter season for movers than summer, so you often have more choice of dates, as long as you stay clear of the actual holidays. For a full look at how each season compares, see our guide on the best time to move in Connecticut.
Part 1: Pick Your Date and Lock It In
1. Avoid the Holiday Itself and the Days Right Around It
The smoothest holiday moves happen in the quiet pockets between the big days. In our experience, the early part of the week after Thanksgiving, the first two weeks of December and the first week of January tend to be easier to schedule than the days just before a holiday.
Try to avoid:
- The Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, when traffic peaks
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
- New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
- Any date where your building, HOA, closing attorney or utility company is closed
If your closing or lease date is fixed and lands right on a holiday, ask your real estate agent or landlord whether keys can be handed over a day early or a day late. A small change on paper can make the move itself much easier.
2. Book Earlier Than You Think You Need To
Even in a slower season, the dates people want around the holidays go quickly, because everyone has the same days off. We recommend booking at least three to four weeks ahead for a holiday move, and earlier if you're aiming for the week between Christmas and New Year's.
Booking early also gives you time to compare estimates properly. Our list of 8 questions to ask a moving company before you book helps you compare quotes side by side, and our guide on when to book movers goes deeper on timing. If an offer looks too good to be true during a busy season, read our post on moving scams in Connecticut and how to verify a license before you sign anything.
3. Ask About a Backup Date
Between holiday schedules and early winter storms, things shift. When you book, ask your mover how they handle date changes and whether a backup date is possible. It costs nothing to ask and it takes a lot of stress out of a forecast that suddenly turns snowy.
4. Confirm Every Third Party Is Open
A move depends on more people than just the movers. Before you lock in a date, check that these will be available:
- Your closing attorney, lender or landlord for keys and paperwork
- Your building manager, if you need a freight elevator or loading dock reserved
- Utility companies for start and stop dates at both homes
- Internet and cable providers, which often book installs out further in December
- Your town, if you need a parking permit for the truck
A quick call in early November can save you from discovering on December 23 that the office you need is closed until January.
Part 2: Handle the Holiday-Specific Details
5. File Your Change of Address Early
Holiday mail matters more than usual. Cards, gifts and year-end tax forms all show up in December and January. USPS says mail forwarding may begin within three business days, but it's best to allow up to two weeks. File your change of address at least two weeks before moving day.
Then update your address directly with the places that send packages. Online retailers, subscription boxes and family members shipping gifts all need your new address, since a package sent to your old porch in the middle of December may not be there when you go back for it.
6. Shop for Gifts With Your Move in Mind
Every gift you buy before moving day is one more thing to pack. A few ways to keep it simple:
- Ship gifts straight to the people receiving them instead of to your house
- Choose gift cards, experiences or digital gifts where it makes sense
- If you're shopping early, keep all wrapped gifts in one labeled box marked "Gifts, do not open" so they don't get mixed into the kitchen boxes
- Hold off on big-ticket items like furniture or large electronics until you're in the new place and know what fits
7. Decide What Holiday Decor to Pack and What to Skip
If your move falls in November or early December, we suggest a lighter version of your usual holiday setup this year. Pick a few favorite pieces to bring out at the new home and pack the rest early.
If you're moving after the holidays, pack your decorations as you take them down rather than storing them for "later." That way, they go straight into labeled boxes that can head to the right room or the basement at the new home.
8. Pack Ornaments and Holiday Lights the Right Way
Glass ornaments are some of the most fragile things we move all year. Wrap each one in tissue or packing paper, nest them in egg cartons or divided boxes, and fill empty space so nothing shifts. Label the box "Fragile" on at least two sides. Our guide on how to pack fragile items for a move walks through the materials we use.
For string lights, wrap each strand around a piece of cardboard or an empty paper towel tube so they don't tangle. While you're at it, check them. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two of every five home Christmas tree fires, according to the NFPA, so a move is a good time to toss any strand with frayed wires, cracked sockets or broken bulbs. The NFPA also recommends storing electrical decorations in a dry place where they won't be damaged by water or dampness.
For more packing advice, start with our packing tips from professional movers and our moving supplies checklist.
9. Plan What Happens to the Christmas Tree
A live tree doesn't belong on a moving truck. It sheds needles everywhere, it's awkward to carry, and a dried-out tree is a fire hazard. The NFPA advises that after Christmas, you should get rid of the tree, because dried-out trees shouldn't be left in the home or garage. The NFPA has also found that 30 percent of Christmas tree fires happen in January, as trees dry out.
If you're moving in December, consider skipping a live tree this year, choosing a small tabletop tree, or buying your tree after you move in. If you're moving in January, check your town's tree pickup schedule and take the tree down before moving day. Artificial trees can be packed in their original box or wrapped in plastic and moved like any other large item.
10. Use Up the Holiday Pantry Before You Pack
Holiday baking leaves behind half-used bags of flour, sugar, spices and open bottles. Plan your last few meals around what's already in the pantry and freezer so there's less to pack and less to throw away. Our guides on how to pack a kitchen for moving and how to pack small kitchen appliances and pantry items cover the rest.
If you're hosting a holiday meal close to moving day, keep cooking safety in mind while the house is full of boxes. The NFPA reports that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by the day before Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keep packed boxes, paper and bubble wrap well away from the stove.
11. Declutter Before the Gifts Arrive
The holidays bring new things into the house, so it pays to clear out old ones first. Go through toys, clothes and kitchen gear in early November, and donate what you don't need while charities are actively collecting for the season. Our guide on how to declutter before a move gives you a room-by-room plan, and our post on eco-friendly moving in Connecticut covers donating and recycling.
Part 3: Keep Family and Moving Day on Track
12. Build a Holiday Moving Timeline
A simple countdown keeps the move from getting buried under everything else on the calendar.
- 6 to 8 weeks out. What to do: Book your movers, choose a backup date, confirm closing or lease dates.
- 4 to 6 weeks out. What to do: Declutter, donate, check that utilities and building managers are open on your date.
- 3 to 4 weeks out. What to do: Gather supplies, pack rooms and decor you won't use before the move.
- 2 weeks out. What to do: File your USPS change of address, update addresses with retailers.
- 1 week out. What to do: Confirm your moving date and start time, plan meals around the pantry.
- 2 to 3 days out. What to do: Pack the essentials box, check the weather forecast.
- Moving day. What to do: Keep kids and pets in a quiet room, keep paths clear, keep it simple.
Our ultimate moving checklist and Connecticut moving checklist break these steps down further.
13. Use Winter Break Wisely if You Have Kids
Winter break can be a good time for families to move, since kids don't miss school and parents may already have time off. It also means the kids are home and the house is busy. Have a friend or relative take younger children for the day, or set up one room with snacks, games and a "do not open" sign on the door. Let older kids pack and label their own boxes so they feel part of the move. Our post on moving with kids has more ideas.
14. Talk to Family About Hosting Plans Early
If you usually host Thanksgiving or Christmas, decide early whether you'll host this year, hand it off to someone else, or keep it small. There's no rule that says you have to cook a full holiday dinner in a house full of boxes. Letting family know early takes the pressure off everyone.
15. Plan for Short Days and Winter Weather
The holiday season overlaps with the darkest stretch of the year. In the Hartford area, the earliest sunset of the year comes around 4:21 PM in early December, so ask for an early start time to get most of the loading done in daylight. Check the forecast starting about a week before your move, make sure outdoor lights work at both homes, and have a shovel and ice melt ready in case of an early storm.
16. Pack a Holiday-Ready Essentials Box
Your essentials box should get you through the first night and the next morning without opening anything else. For a holiday move, we'd add:
- Phone chargers and a power strip
- Medications and important documents
- Toiletries, towels, sheets and blankets
- A change of clothes and warm layers for everyone
- Snacks, a coffee maker or kettle, paper plates and trash bags
- A flashlight
- Any gifts that need to stay hidden from the kids
- One or two small decorations to make the new place feel festive on night one
17. Look After Your Crew
Holiday moving days can be long, and a warm drink and a clear path go a long way for your crew. Keep hallways and stairs free of decorations, gift piles and extension cords. If you're wondering about tipping, especially during the holiday season, read our post on how much to tip movers.
For more moving-day advice, see our moving day tips from professional movers and the 7 common moving mistakes to avoid.
18. Settle In Before You Celebrate
Once you're in, focus on the rooms you'll use most over the holidays: the kitchen, the bedrooms and the main living area. Get the beds made and the kitchen working first. Decorations can wait a day or two. Our step-by-step guide on how to move includes an unpacking order that works well when time is short. If you're new to the area, our guide to relocating to Connecticut can help you get to know your new community.
Holiday Moving Checklist at a Glance
- Avoid the holiday itself and peak travel days. On and after moving day: Ask for the earliest start time.
- Book 3 to 4 weeks ahead and choose a backup date. On and after moving day: Keep kids and pets in a quiet room or with family.
- Confirm attorneys, utilities and building managers are open. On and after moving day: Keep paths clear of decor and cords.
- File your USPS change of address 2 weeks out. On and after moving day: Keep wrapped gifts in one labeled box.
- Wrap ornaments individually and check light strands. On and after moving day: Unpack the kitchen and bedrooms first.
- Take down and dispose of a live tree before moving day. On and after moving day: Decorate once the essentials are set up.
When It Makes Sense to Get Extra Help
The holidays are the one time of year when most people truly don't have spare hours. Here's how we can take some of the load off:
- Packing help. Our packing services range from a few fragile rooms to the whole house, so you can spend your evenings on family instead of tape and boxes. Our white-glove Princess Packing™ packages start at $595 for 25 boxes with all materials included.
- Storage when dates don't line up. Holiday closings sometimes slip a few days, and that gap can leave you with nowhere to put your things. Our climate-controlled storage in Enfield stays between 55 and 85 degrees with regulated humidity year-round, and your first month of storage is free when it's part of your move. It's also a good place for holiday decor and seasonal items while you settle in. Learn more about the benefits of climate-controlled storage.
- Heavy and valuable items. If a piano or heirloom furniture is part of your holiday move, it needs the right equipment and an experienced crew. See our piano moving and specialty moving services, and our piano moving guide for Connecticut.
- Older family members. Many families use the holidays, when everyone is together, to help a parent or grandparent move. Our senior moving service keeps the process calm and safe, and our guide on downsizing for retirement can help you plan.
- Office moves over the holiday week. For many businesses, the slow stretch between Christmas and New Year's is the best window to relocate. Our commercial moving team offers after-hours and weekend scheduling, and our guides on how to minimize downtime during an office move and corporate move planning cover the full plan.
- Out-of-state moves. A long-distance move during the holidays means planning around heavy traffic and weather along the whole route. Our long-distance moving service and our guide to long-distance moving from CT and MA cover what to expect, and our post on long-distance moving quotes explains how pricing works.
- Everyday local moves. Our residential moving crews include floor runners and door jamb protection at both homes as standard, which helps a lot when snow and slush are being tracked in.
Wondering what a holiday move will cost? Read how much movers cost in Connecticut and how to estimate moving costs. Our local moves are priced hourly, our estimates are accurate within 10% thanks to a detailed inventory and move analysis, and we don't charge fuel surcharges or hidden fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a good idea to move during the holidays?
It can be. Late fall and winter are a slower season for movers, so you often have more dates to choose from, and many people already have time off work or school. The trade-offs are busy calendars, holiday closures and early winter weather, so book early and stay away from the holidays themselves.
What is the best day to move during the holiday season?
The quieter weekdays between the holidays are usually easiest, such as the early part of the week after Thanksgiving, the first two weeks of December and the first week of January. Try to avoid the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
How far in advance should I book movers for a holiday move?
We recommend at least three to four weeks ahead, and earlier if you want a date in the week between Christmas and New Year's. Everyone has the same days off, so the most popular holiday dates fill up first.
How should I pack Christmas ornaments for a move?
Wrap each ornament in tissue or packing paper, place them in egg cartons or divided boxes, fill any empty space and label the box "Fragile" on at least two sides. Wrap string lights around cardboard so they don't tangle, and throw out any strands with frayed wires or cracked sockets.
Can I move my live Christmas tree?
We don't recommend it. A live tree sheds needles, is awkward to carry and becomes a fire hazard as it dries out. The NFPA advises getting rid of the tree after Christmas instead of keeping it in the home or garage. Check your town's tree pickup schedule and take the tree down before moving day.
When should I change my address if I'm moving in December?
File your USPS change of address at least two weeks before your move. USPS says forwarding can start within three business days, but it's best to allow up to two weeks. Update your address with online retailers and family members sending gifts, too.
Let Us Handle the Heavy Lifting This Holiday Season
Castle Express is family-owned by Joe Caronna, who started the company in 2011 with one truck. We're not a franchise and we're not a broker. Our own crews handle every move, from our Enfield home base across towns like Enfield, Hartford, West Hartford, Glastonbury, Manchester, Simsbury, Suffield, Springfield, Longmeadow, Agawam and Northampton. See the full list on our service areas page.
We hold a 4.9-star rating across more than 200 Google reviews and an A+ rating with the BBB. You can read what our customers say on our reviews page or learn more about our team. Curious what sets us apart? Read why customers choose Castle Express.
Planning a move around the holidays? Tell us your dates and we'll help you find the quietest window for your move. Browse our moving services or request your free estimate today. You can also call us at 1-888-553-4503.
The holidays are a season of giving, and every move with us helps a neighbor through our support of Feeding America. Learn more on our giving back page.