Moving at Christmas time can save you money and mean you have time off work to settle in, but it also presents some unique challenges. We looked at the pros and cons of a festive move to help you make the right choice.
Is Christmas a good time of year to move home?
Pros of moving at Christmas
- Time off for the move. Whether or not you celebrate Christmas yourself, the bank holidays and the fact that many businesses shutter for the Christmas period mean many have time off work.
- Seasonal discounts. With less demand for home moves during this period, the removal firms that are working often offer reduced prices.
- Making new traditions. For those that do celebrate Christmas, settling into a new home right before the holiday is a great way to establish new traditions.
Cons of moving at Christmas
- Fewer movers are available. You’ll have fewer options for removal companies as many will close over the festive period.
- Payment delays. Banks being closed may delay your payments from clearing. The last working day before Christmas will be particularly busy and transactions made that day may not complete until after December 27th.
- Moving in the cold. December’s short days and poor weather make moving more difficult.
- Disruptions to your celebrations. If you celebrate Christmas, moving during this period makes it more difficult to follow Christmas traditions like decorating or cooking a special dinner.
A blanket of snow might look idyllic, but it can make moving at Christmas even more complicated.
Make moving at Christmas easier
If you go ahead with your Christmas move, use these tips to help things go as smoothly as possible.
Start Early
We recommend planning any move at least six weeks ahead of the date, but with limited availability from movers around Christmas start looking as soon as your date is settled.
Have your gifts delivered
If you’re shopping online, look for an option to have gifts wrapped and delivered directly to the recipient. This avoids anything getting lost or broken in the move, and the struggle to remember where you packed things when your friend pops over.
Book a food shop
Book for your groceries to be delivered the day after you move in so you have fully stocked cupboards, even when the shops are shut.
Pack a decorations box
If you decorate for Christmas, put your favourite pieces in a separate, labelled box and unpack it first thing to start getting into the spirit.
Prepare for bad weather
Be ready for the worst of British weather on your moving day with rock salt to melt ice, raincoats and plastic sheeting to cover boxes all easily accessible.
When is the Christmas period?
Christmas is always celebrated on the 25th of December in the UK, but what is considered the festive period can vary. Usually, when people talk about Christmas time they are referring to the period between December 24th and January 1st.
December 25th, December 26th and January 1st are all bank holidays in the UK. These are public holidays where many businesses close (including banks, hence the name). Some businesses, particularly smaller and independent firms, will close entirely for the week between Christmas Eve and January 1st, or even longer.
Before making any bookings for your move during the Christmas period, check the company you’re looking at is operating as normal.
Will moving at Christmas save you money?
You might be able to save money moving at Christmas. Many removal firms offer seasonal discounts over the winter period as there is lower demand.
You can also save on furniture, appliances and other items for your new home by taking advantage of the Black Friday and January sales.
What’s the most popular month to move home?
The most popular month to move home in the UK is August. This is because of the dry, warm weather, and the fact that schools are closed for the summer holiday.
Read more about moving in the UK:
