Packing for Transatlantic Relocation
We are not new to corporate moves and relocations. Even before this Paris move, we were relocated from New Jersey to California and back. So we've learned a lot about the best way to prepare for the whirlwind.
In a corporate relocation, movers are brought in to pack your stuff -- this way they can insure everything THEY pack. Even though we don't actually "pack" boxes there is a lot we can do to smooth the process from beginning to end.
1. Sort and trash/donate/recycle all that you can. It's the perfect time to ask all family members to go through their stuff and junk what they don't want to move. Leave no stone unturned. Think office supplies, kitchen items and bathroom items as well as clothes and shoes. We need to get rid of the small plug-in things, as they will not work in the States. (Anyone need a lamp?)
On our first corporate move ever, I unpacked two empty shoe boxes and a trashcan with used kleenex at the bottom. Lesson learned. They will literally pack EVERYTHING. So when I say leave no stone unturned, leave no stone unturned.
2. Bin up the little stuff. It's so much easier for the moving guys if all your little, unbreakable stuff is already in a bin. Finding things later will also be easier for you. I pull little things from my bookshelves and get the kids to put their little figures, etc, into containers. Note: breakables should be packed by the moving company, so they may be insured.
3. Pull everything off the walls. I stack framed art and put all the little postcards I've taped up into its own container (or toss them out).
4. Use up all that food. They won't pack food, wine or medication. So I try to use up all the food, especially what is in reusable containers.
5. Batteries. They also won't move batteries (though, a few always slip by). I keep a baggie of good batteries and pack them in my suitcase to use when we arrive.
6. Decide what is going with you. There is timing and guesswork involved in this, because we're going to need some clothes and stuff during the transition. We'll have time in a hotel and a week (possibly more) before the air shipment arrives with the rest of our clothes. I'll need to pull aside what I want when we land. For this leg, we're going back to our house which already has a few things plus and washer/dryer. And there's an Old Navy down the street. So I'm erring on the side of less stuff to drag through the airport.
7. A word about electronics. David takes care of this category by putting the "absolutely necessary" gaming systems, Apple TV etc in a small carry-on suitcase.
8. Clean your stuff. Before it gets packed up, it's a good idea to clean up the stuff that's going to be packed. Specifically, vacuuming out the sofa, wiping down tables, etc. First, because it's just good practice to ship clean stuff but also I'm a little paranoid about what little animals might be attracted by bread crumbs in sofa cushions. I've never heard of this happening, but it doesn't take much imagination. I would also prefer not to transport dead ladybugs across the Atlantic. You know?
9. Keep your important legal documents with you. We've been calling it the KGB file. It contains birth certificates, passports, etc. that are difficult to reproduce. In the very off chance the shipment is sunk to the bottom of the ocean, I'll have my irreplaceable paperwork with me.
10. Last, DON'T STRESS OUT. The flip side of the movers packing everything ... is that at the end of the day, they'll just pack EVERYTHING. So if there are some things unorganized, not in a bin, not clean or perfect, it will get packed anyway. And at the end of the day, it will all be bound to your house regardless of what you prepared, and what you didn't.
In a corporate relocation, movers are brought in to pack your stuff -- this way they can insure everything THEY pack. Even though we don't actually "pack" boxes there is a lot we can do to smooth the process from beginning to end.
1. Sort and trash/donate/recycle all that you can. It's the perfect time to ask all family members to go through their stuff and junk what they don't want to move. Leave no stone unturned. Think office supplies, kitchen items and bathroom items as well as clothes and shoes. We need to get rid of the small plug-in things, as they will not work in the States. (Anyone need a lamp?)
On our first corporate move ever, I unpacked two empty shoe boxes and a trashcan with used kleenex at the bottom. Lesson learned. They will literally pack EVERYTHING. So when I say leave no stone unturned, leave no stone unturned.
2. Bin up the little stuff. It's so much easier for the moving guys if all your little, unbreakable stuff is already in a bin. Finding things later will also be easier for you. I pull little things from my bookshelves and get the kids to put their little figures, etc, into containers. Note: breakables should be packed by the moving company, so they may be insured.
4. Use up all that food. They won't pack food, wine or medication. So I try to use up all the food, especially what is in reusable containers.
5. Batteries. They also won't move batteries (though, a few always slip by). I keep a baggie of good batteries and pack them in my suitcase to use when we arrive.
6. Decide what is going with you. There is timing and guesswork involved in this, because we're going to need some clothes and stuff during the transition. We'll have time in a hotel and a week (possibly more) before the air shipment arrives with the rest of our clothes. I'll need to pull aside what I want when we land. For this leg, we're going back to our house which already has a few things plus and washer/dryer. And there's an Old Navy down the street. So I'm erring on the side of less stuff to drag through the airport.
8. Clean your stuff. Before it gets packed up, it's a good idea to clean up the stuff that's going to be packed. Specifically, vacuuming out the sofa, wiping down tables, etc. First, because it's just good practice to ship clean stuff but also I'm a little paranoid about what little animals might be attracted by bread crumbs in sofa cushions. I've never heard of this happening, but it doesn't take much imagination. I would also prefer not to transport dead ladybugs across the Atlantic. You know?
9. Keep your important legal documents with you. We've been calling it the KGB file. It contains birth certificates, passports, etc. that are difficult to reproduce. In the very off chance the shipment is sunk to the bottom of the ocean, I'll have my irreplaceable paperwork with me.
10. Last, DON'T STRESS OUT. The flip side of the movers packing everything ... is that at the end of the day, they'll just pack EVERYTHING. So if there are some things unorganized, not in a bin, not clean or perfect, it will get packed anyway. And at the end of the day, it will all be bound to your house regardless of what you prepared, and what you didn't.
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