Are you preparing to relocate to another country? If so, it’s important to start boxing up well in advance of your move. By organizing and wrapping your possessions methodically, you can make the moving process much less stressful. A packing party with friends or family members can help get the job done quickly and efficiently. We’ve prepared a few tips that will help you start planning this fiesta – read on for all the advice.
What Is a Packing Party?
A packing party is a gathering of friends or family members who come together to help a person pack their belongings for a move to another country. This type of party is common in many cultures, but it’s especially prevalent in the United States when someone is moving overseas.
Wrapping parties are typically informal affairs. There is no need to dress up or bring anything other than yourself and your sense of humor. The focus of a packing party is on having fun and getting the job done quickly and efficiently. Although you can’t say that relocating is fun – no one likes it, having friends over to help out will certainly make things more enjoyable.
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Why Should You Throw a Packing Party?
There are several reasons why you might want to consider having this kind of party before your big move. First, it can be a great way to get moral support from your loved ones. Relocating across the world can be an emotional experience, and it’s nice to have the people who care about you there to help you through it.
By inviting friends and family over to lend a hand, you can make the process less stressful – trust us, anything that can decrease your relocation stress even a little bit is well worth it. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to spend some time with your loved ones before you leave. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of boxing up all your belongings, our professional relocation tip would be to organize this fun gathering.
Second, wrapping parties are an efficient way to get the job done. With multiple people working together, you can pack up all your belongings in a fraction of the time it would take you to do it yourself. This is especially helpful if you are tight on time and have a last-minute move.
Third, these parties can be fun! It’s a great chance to catch up with friends and family members who you may not have seen in a while. And if you play your cards right, you might even get them to do some of the heavy lifting for you – sure, they can’t be a substitute for your international movers and professional packing services, but they can surely help you move efficiently.
Gather All the Supplies You Will Need for Packing Your Items
Remember that even though you’re planning a get-together, the major reason you called your friends, to begin with, was to enlist their assistance in helping you pack your house for a move. Together, you’ll be able to do it much more quickly than if you were on your own – this is surely one of the best relocation hacks out there.
However, if you happen to run out of relocation essentials like boxes or paper and even color markers once the packing portion of the party starts, it will be a major disaster. That’s why you need to secure enough packaging goods in advance to prevent the enthusiasm of your social gathering from slowing down. As you can guess, it’s far safer and better to prep more materials than you’ll need than to run out of something in the midst of the fun. You wouldn’t want to make this relocation mistake!
Supplies to Make Packing Fun
Figuring out what supplies you need for such a big job can be daunting, but never fear! The boxes you’ll need in abundance to fit the entire household inventory you’re taking with you are likely to be your biggest expense. Be sure to try to obtain free boxes on websites like Freecycle before the fiesta is set to begin – this might save you some money, which you can use to tip your international movers. In addition to boxes, here are some other essential materials for this fiesta:
- Packaging paper,
- Bubble wrap,
- Plastic wrap,
- Tape and markers,
- Styrofoam peanuts,
- Moving blankets.
Why Is It Important to Declutter Before You Pack Even a Single Box?
Wrapping up everything you own and taking it with you on your journey is not only impractical, but it’s also unnecessary. There’s no need to bring along things you don’t use or that hold sentimental value, only to have them sit in storage collecting dust. So, before you start packing for your relocation day, declutter your home, decide what to keep, and get rid of anything you don’t need. Here’s why it’s so important – peace of mind.
The process of decluttering can be therapeutic. It allows you to take stock of your belongings, let go of anything that’s no longer serving you, and make peace with the fact that you’re leaving some things behind. This will help you approach the wrapping process with a clear mind and make the transition to living in another country much smoother.
Packing is stressful enough without having to worry about what to do with all the things you’re not taking with you. If you declutter before you start to pack the boxes, you can focus solely on wrapping the essentials that your international mover will transport, and this will make the whole process much less demanding.
Additionally, keep in mind shipping costs (especially if you’re relocating with a reputable international moving company) – it’s important to only pack the things you absolutely need. By decluttering beforehand, you can save yourself a lot of money in shipping costs when getting international moving services and avoid having to pay storage fees for things you don’t use or need.
You’ll Need a Great Packing Strategy
You can only have a successful party if you have a solid plan in place before your workers arrive. Be very explicit about what needs to be done – for improved clarity, make a moving-out list of all packing-related duties on a big piece of paper and post it somewhere where everybody can see it. Your friends will be aware of what’s being done right now and will be able to check off each job as it is finished, which will enhance productivity and satisfaction.
You may develop a solid packing plan that will enable you to accomplish the task more quickly by giving your guests specialized tasks. To spread out the wrapping process and allow for simultaneous work on various fronts, think about setting up multiple wrapping stations around your home.
In addition to strategy, your attitude during this gathering is extremely important. Roll your sleeves up and collaborate with your buddies because they’re doing you a huge favor. In other words, set a good example rather than acting like a bossy person. Whether you’re moving for the first time or the tenth, don’t forget that the help provided by your friends and family is quite valuable!
Send Invitations for This Unusual Fiesta
Asking your friends for help is the final stage in planning a packing party because you can’t really expect them to make an appearance at your gathering if they are unaware that it is happening. Sending out invitations is, of course, the finest method to arrange any party.
You can save time by sending such invitations electronically (via email and social media). Of course, you’ll need to choose a date and time that works for both you and your guests. It’s important to give people plenty of notice so that they can clear their schedules if necessary. Give your pals lots of advance notice so they can set aside one day for you.
Inform your friends that you will be grateful for any assistance they may give, even if they only pack a single box. Reassure them that they are welcome to stay for as much as they like – if they’re not having fun, is it really a party then? Hopefully, they will stick to the end, and after a long day, you won’t have to worry about the leftover items that aren’t in boxes. With a few great friends, you might just get to experience the benefits of moving without the tedious experience of wrapping the entire house by yourself!
How to Decide Who to Invite?
But who to invite to such a strange party? If you ask yourself “who to notify about moving in person,” and someone pops into your head, you should invite them. If you’re close enough that you need to break the news about your leaving in person rather than via Instagram, then they’re probably a close friend – the kind of friend who would help you with wrapping things and getting rid of items movers won’t move. Once you have the list of everyone you need, send out invitations and start planning for the big day!
How to Host – Tips for the Day of the Gathering
On the day of the packing party, make sure to have plenty of food and drinks on hand for your guests. This will help them stay energized as they work. You can also put on some music to create a fun and festive atmosphere. As your guests start boxing up your belongings, be sure to direct them if they have any questions. Once everything is packed up, take some time to say goodbye and thank your guests for their help. They’ll appreciate it, and you’ll be one step closer to being ready for your move!
Wrapping up All Your Belongings Can Be a Tedious Task, but a Party Is a Perfect Way to Make It More Fun
Moving internationally is a huge task, no matter what part of the globe you will move to. Although boxing up all your belongings is the most important task on your to-do list, it can be tedious and downright boring. However, with friends and family pitching in to help, this process can be more fun than you can imagine – not to mention less stressful. If you’re getting ready to move internationally, don’t hesitate to throw a packing party to make the process more enjoyable and less daunting. Good luck with your move!