Moving during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s can feel overwhelming, but it is completely manageable with the right plan.
Holiday moves often happen because of lease deadlines, job changes, home closings, military relocations, school schedules, or business needs. While winter may have fewer moving appointments than summer, holiday closures, traffic, weather, and limited building access can make planning more important.
At Haul Bros Moving Co LLC, we help customers relocate throughout Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Whether you are moving from an apartment in Arlington, a townhouse in Woodbridge, a home in Fairfax, or an office in Fredericksburg, our team can help you plan a smooth relocation during the holiday season.
Is Moving During the Holidays a Good Idea?
Yes. Moving during the holidays can be a good option if your lease, job, closing date, or personal schedule requires it.
Holiday moving may provide:
- More flexibility on certain weekdays
- Less competition than peak summer dates
- Cooler temperatures for physical work
- More time off for some employees
- The opportunity to begin the new year in your new home
However, November and December moves require planning around:
- Thanksgiving and Christmas travel
- New Year’s schedules
- Building and leasing-office closures
- Winter weather
- Limited elevator reservations
- Holiday traffic
- Family gatherings and travel plans
- Reduced availability from service providers
The most important rule is simple: book early and confirm every detail with both buildings before moving day.
Why People Move During the Holiday Season
Most holiday moves are caused by practical deadlines rather than preference.
Lease Expirations
A lease may end in November or December, making it financially impractical to wait until January. Before scheduling your move, review your lease for:
- Required notice periods
- Move-out deadlines
- Renewal rules
- Holiday access restrictions
- Security-deposit requirements
- Cleaning and inspection procedures
If you are moving from an apartment or condominium, contact the leasing office early to confirm available moving dates and building procedures.
New Jobs and Relocations
A new job, transfer, or change in work location may require you to relocate before the beginning of the year. This is common for professionals moving to or from Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
For moves outside the local DMV area, review our long-distance moving services and provide your destination as early as possible.
Home Closings
A home purchase or sale may close during the holiday season. Closing dates can change, so avoid scheduling movers until you have confirmed when you will legally receive access to the property.
Once your closing date is confirmed, schedule your movers immediately. This is especially important if you need to coordinate two homes, temporary storage, elevator reservations, or a same-day move.
Military and Government Relocations
Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. have many military, government, and contractor relocations. Orders, transfers, and new assignments may require a move during November or December.
Haul Bros Moving Co LLC serves military and government-connected customers throughout the DMV. Ask about available military discounts when requesting your estimate.
Business and Office Moves
Companies may relocate offices before the end of the calendar year so employees can begin January in a new workspace.
For office relocations, confirm:
- Building access
- Loading-dock requirements
- Elevator reservations
- Parking
- Certificate of insurance requirements
- IT equipment procedures
- Furniture disassembly
- Weekend or after-hours access
Learn more about our commercial and office moving services.
The Biggest Challenges of Holiday Moving
Holiday Traffic
Traffic can become heavier around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Roads may be especially busy near:
- Washington, D.C.
- Arlington
- Alexandria
- Tysons
- Fairfax
- Interstate 95
- Interstate 66
- Route 1
- Route 7
- The Capital Beltway
- Major airports and shopping areas
When selecting a moving date, avoid major travel days whenever possible. A weekday before or after the holiday may be easier than moving on the holiday weekend itself.
Allow extra time for:
- Driving between locations
- Parking
- Loading and unloading
- Apartment access
- Weather delays
- Traffic near major highways
Limited Building Access
Apartment buildings, condominiums, and managed communities may have reduced holiday hours. Some leasing offices may close entirely on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, or surrounding dates.
Before booking, ask both buildings about:
- Moving-hour restrictions
- Elevator reservations
- Loading zones
- Parking permits
- Move-in fees
- Security deposits
- Access codes
- Key pickup
- Front-desk staffing
- Certificate of insurance requirements
If you are moving into a building without an elevator, review our apartment moving services so the crew can plan for stairs, hallway distance, and access conditions.
Winter Weather
The DMV can experience rain, freezing temperatures, snow, and ice during the holiday season. Weather can affect roads, stairs, sidewalks, driveways, and loading areas.
Before moving day:
- Check the weather forecast.
- Clear snow and ice from walkways.
- Salt slippery areas.
- Keep entrances dry when possible.
- Protect carpet and hardwood floors.
- Keep warm clothing available.
- Allow additional driving time.
- Maintain communication with your moving company.
If severe weather creates unsafe conditions, your moving company may need to discuss a schedule adjustment.
How Early Should You Book Holiday Movers?
For a November or December move, contact your moving company as soon as you know your preferred date.
Early booking is especially important if you are:
- Moving during the week of Thanksgiving
- Moving the week before Christmas
- Moving between Christmas and New Year’s
- Moving on a weekend
- Moving from or into an apartment
- Moving an office
- Moving long distance
- Moving several bedrooms
- Requesting packing services
- Moving large or specialty items
Even though winter may be less busy than summer, holiday schedules can reduce the number of available working days.
The Best Days to Move During the Holidays
When possible, consider:
- Monday through Thursday
- Mid-month dates
- The week before or after major holidays
- Early-morning arrival windows
- Dates that do not conflict with building closures
Avoid scheduling your move on the actual holiday unless you have confirmed that your building, movers, utility providers, and other necessary services will be available.
Start Packing Earlier Than Usual
Holiday moves leave less room for last-minute packing. Begin with items you will not need immediately, such as:
- Books
- Extra clothing
- Seasonal decorations
- Decorative items
- Rarely used kitchenware
- Artwork
- Guest-room items
- Storage-room contents
Keep everyday essentials available until the final days before the move.
If you need assistance, Haul Bros offers professional packing and unpacking services for full homes, apartments, offices, fragile items, electronics, kitchenware, and other belongings.
How to Pack Holiday Decorations
Holiday decorations should be packed carefully because many include glass, lights, ornaments, candles, and fragile heirlooms.
Use these steps:
- Wrap ornaments individually.
- Place lights in labeled bags.
- Keep hooks and hardware together.
- Use sturdy boxes.
- Add packing paper around fragile decorations.
- Label boxes by holiday and room.
- Keep sentimental decorations with you when possible.
- Mark one box “Open First.”
You may want to keep a small amount of décor accessible so your family can continue celebrating after moving into the new home.
Create a Holiday Essentials Bag
Prepare a separate bag or box for the first night. Include:
- Identification
- Medications
- Phone chargers
- Toiletries
- Warm clothing
- Pajamas
- Important documents
- Basic dishes
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Cleaning supplies
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Children’s necessities
- Pet supplies
- A few holiday items
Do not place these essentials at the back of the moving truck. Keep them with you or load them last so they are easy to access.
Moving Gifts and Holiday Meals
If you have wrapped gifts, keep them separate from ordinary moving boxes. Label them clearly and transport valuable or sentimental gifts personally when possible.
For food, use a cooler for items that must remain cold. Try to use or donate perishable foods before moving day. Plan a simple first meal instead of relying on a fully equipped kitchen immediately after arrival.
Shipping Some Small Items
For small moves, you may decide to ship books, clothing, linens, or gifts directly to the new address.
Before shipping:
- Compare shipping costs with moving costs.
- Confirm someone will be available to receive packages.
- Avoid shipping medication, jewelry, important documents, or irreplaceable items.
- Use strong boxes and proper labels.
- Keep tracking information accessible.
For larger belongings, professional movers are usually more practical than shipping individual boxes.
Protecting Electronics During a Holiday Move
Cold temperatures can affect electronics and batteries. Pack televisions, computers, gaming systems, printers, and other devices carefully.
Before moving:
- Back up important files.
- Photograph cable connections.
- Label cords.
- Remove batteries when appropriate.
- Use original boxes when available.
- Wrap devices with protective materials.
- Keep electronics away from moisture.
- Allow cold electronics to reach room temperature before turning them on.
Read our electronics packing guide for additional preparation advice.
Storage During a Holiday Relocation
Sometimes your lease ends before your new home is ready. Other customers need temporary storage because of a closing delay, job relocation, renovation, or travel schedule.
Our storage solutions can help with moving belongings into or out of storage.
Before using storage, confirm:
- Facility access hours
- Temperature and humidity conditions
- Insurance requirements
- Monthly rental fees
- Delivery scheduling
- Restrictions on electronics, plants, food, or hazardous materials
Moving Before or After Christmas
Moving before Christmas may allow you to settle into your new home before the new year. Moving after Christmas may be easier if you want to complete holiday gatherings first.
Choose the option that best fits:
- Your lease
- Home closing
- Work schedule
- School schedule
- Building availability
- Family travel
- Weather conditions
- Moving-company availability
There is no universally perfect holiday moving date. The best date is the one that gives you enough time to prepare and provides confirmed access at both locations.
What to Do One Week Before Moving
One week before your move:
- Confirm the date and arrival window.
- Confirm pickup and delivery addresses.
- Reconfirm elevator reservations.
- Confirm parking and loading access.
- Finish most packing.
- Separate essential items.
- Dispose of prohibited items.
- Back up electronics.
- Notify utility providers.
- Confirm key pickup.
- Check the weather.
- Plan for pets and children.
- Keep your phone charged.
- Confirm payment and deposit details.
If you need to remove unwanted furniture or belongings before the move, consider junk removal services.
What to Do on Moving Day
On moving day:
- Clear walkways and entrances.
- Keep pets and children in a safe area.
- Keep important documents and medication with you.
- Protect keys and access cards.
- Identify fragile and high-value items.
- Tell the crew about stairs, elevators, and long walks.
- Keep holiday essentials separate.
- Inspect rooms, closets, garages, and storage areas.
- Confirm nothing is left behind.
- Complete a final walkthrough.
Haul Bros crews arrive prepared with moving blankets, shrink wrap, dollies, floor protection, and professional moving equipment.
Relocate During the Holidays with Haul Bros Moving Co LLC
A holiday move does not have to cancel your family plans or create unnecessary stress. The most important steps are to schedule early, confirm building access, prepare for traffic and winter weather, and keep essential belongings available.
Haul Bros Moving Co LLC provides moving services throughout Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland, including:
- Local moving
- Apartment moving
- Long-distance moving
- Commercial and office moving
- Packing and unpacking
- Storage solutions
- Junk removal
- Senior moving
- Townhouse and house moving
- Labor-only moving
- Oversized-item moving
We serve Woodbridge, Dale City, Lake Ridge, Dumfries, Stafford, Fredericksburg, Manassas, Gainesville, Haymarket, Fairfax, Burke, Springfield, Alexandria, Arlington, McLean, Tysons, Reston, Ashburn, Sterling, and surrounding DMV communities.
Read our customer reviews, learn more about Haul Bros Moving Co LLC, or meet our professional movers.
Call 571-899-1919, email relocating@haulbrosmoving.com, or request your free moving estimate.
Haul Bros Moving Co LLC — Relocating made easy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Moving
1. Is moving during the holidays more difficult?
It can be more complicated because of holiday traffic, building closures, winter weather, and reduced scheduling availability. Early planning makes the process much easier.
2. Is it cheaper to move during the holiday season?
Winter may have more availability than summer, but pricing depends on the move size, distance, crew size, labor time, stairs, parking, and services required.
3. How early should I book movers for December?
Book as soon as you know your date. Early booking is especially important for weekends, apartment moves, commercial moves, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
4. Should I move on Thanksgiving Day?
Moving on Thanksgiving Day is usually inconvenient because traffic, building access, and business availability may be limited. A date before or after Thanksgiving is often easier.
5. Can I move on Christmas Eve?
You may be able to move on Christmas Eve, but confirm availability with your moving company and building management well in advance.
6. Can I move on Christmas Day?
Some companies may not operate on Christmas Day. Always confirm directly with the moving company and both properties before selecting that date.
7. Is New Year’s Eve a good moving date?
New Year’s Eve may create scheduling and traffic challenges. If possible, choose an earlier weekday and allow additional time for delays.
8. What is the best day to move during the holidays?
A weekday before or after the major holiday period may provide better availability and less traffic than a holiday weekend.
9. How do I protect furniture from winter weather?
Use moving blankets, shrink wrap, floor protection, plastic covers, and clear, dry walkways. Remove snow and ice from entrances before the crew arrives.
10. Can movers work in snow or freezing temperatures?
Light snow may be manageable if roads and walkways are safe. Heavy snow, ice, or dangerous conditions may require schedule adjustments.
11. Should I reserve an apartment elevator during the holidays?
Yes. Elevator reservations are especially important because leasing offices and building staff may have reduced holiday hours.
12. What should I do if my leasing office is closed?
Contact the building before the holiday closure to arrange keys, access codes, elevator reservations, loading areas, and move-in paperwork.
13. Should I pack Christmas decorations before moving?
Pack decorations you will not use early. Keep a small, clearly labeled box accessible if you plan to decorate after arriving.
14. How do I move wrapped gifts?
Keep gifts together, clearly labeled, and separate from ordinary boxes. Transport valuable or sentimental gifts with you when possible.
15. What should I keep with me during a holiday move?
Keep identification, medication, chargers, warm clothing, toiletries, important documents, valuables, pet supplies, and essential holiday items with you.
16. Can I move a Christmas tree?
Yes, but prepare it properly. Remove ornaments, secure branches, protect the tree from damage, and follow any building or disposal requirements.
17. Should I move food during the holidays?
Use a cooler for refrigerated items and avoid moving unnecessary perishables. Plan a simple meal for your first day in the new home.
18. What if my home closing is delayed?
Contact your moving company immediately. You may need to adjust the moving date, arrange temporary storage, or coordinate a revised delivery plan.
19. Can I combine moving and junk removal?
Yes. Haul Bros can discuss combining your move with junk removal services for unwanted furniture, appliances, or household items.
20. How do I get a holiday moving estimate?
Call 571-899-1919, email relocating@haulbrosmoving.com, or contact Haul Bros Moving Co LLC online. Provide your moving date, addresses, home size, stairs, elevators, large items, and packing needs.