Today is officially the first day of winter and with that comes the joy of the holiday season, but when you’re moving, there’s also some things to be concerned about. Moving in the winter is never easy, so here’s how to stay warm during your move.

Before your Move
If you’ve already packed or are just waiting around for your move to start, your heat might be shut off already – so make sure to have a safe warm spot to wait, or go grab some coffee around the corner before the big move begins!

The Kids
If you have kids or a dog, they might not be helping you with your move, and it’s not really necessary for them to be walking around in the cold while the move is taking place. So it’s probably best if you make sure they have somewhere to go for the duration of the move. I’m sure the grandparents would be thrilled to take them for a few hours!

When Moving into the New House
Don’t forget the heat when you’re moving into the new house, as you’ll have open doors during the entire move. It’s a good idea, if possible, to turn on your heat the day before the move in order to have an already toasty warm home waiting for you.

Weather is Also a Factor
Temperature is not the only thing you’ll need to worry about, if it snows or sleets or rains or hails, this can add hours to your move and to the length of time you’ll be out in that weather. Be sure to leave enough minutes in the day to complete the move and you’ll also want to have a change of clothes in case your outfit gets wet.

Purchasing your first home is a huge and exciting step in one’s life. There are many things to consider and ton of information to process. Here are a few tips to help you wade through the tide of tasks and ocean of details.

BEAUTIFICATION BEFORE BELONGINGS: If your schedule permits, you should do any painting, remodeling and refurbishing before moving in your belongings. Taking care of these cosmetic choices is a much more trouble-free task without having to move couches and cover cabinets while sanding, plastering and painting.

NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON’T: There’s a great sequence in the film Moving starring Richard Pryor where he and his wife are being shown a new potential home and all the while the current owners’ joke about taking everything – from the fridge to the underground swimming pool – with them; once Richard and his family move in, yep, you guessed it, everything is gone. It’s not common, but it can happen. You might view a home empty of most furniture but still containing a dishwasher or refrigerator only to move in and find those items gone. Just check the fine print and ask any questions to clarify the details.

THE GOLDEN RULE: Treat others as you would treat yourself. It’s just a good idea to start what might be a lifelong relationship on the right foot, by not having moving trucks block driveways or place your furniture on your neighbor’s lawn.

SOONER RATHER THAN LATER: When you own a home, the responsibilities of fixing everything fall on your shoulders. A loose step, a leaky faucet, a leaky roof, a cracked sidewalk – it’s up to you to schedule repairs. If you’re a DIYer, grab your tool kit and get started. If you need to call a repairman, do it quickly. Small problems can grow into larger ones without warning.

Invoking the power of a familiar phrase can make you feel better, but it very rarely offers much in the way of a true solution. If you’re moving and it looks like rain, you can either trust your luck to a children’s nursery rhyme or use these tips to minimize the weather’s impact.

Use plastic sheeting to cover furniture made from cloth, wood and other untreated materials to protect them from moisture and dirt.

Create walkways both out of your old home and into your new home by taping down either rugs or cardboard. Avoid using plastic sheeting on the floor as this is very slippery when wet.

Don’t let cardboard boxes get too wet–water will disintegrate the cardboard. If rain is heavy, protect boxes with plastic. Always carry boxes from the bottom, and watch out for any unexpected tears.

Make your movers comfortable. Whether you have hired a professional moving service or you have some friends helping you, keep their spirits up with fresh towels and refreshing beverages.

If the weather is especially cold, try to have the heat on in your new home.