Moving house in December can be a bit of a juggling act. You are trying to get boxes packed, keep everyone warm, deal with shorter daylight hours, and somehow still enjoy the season. The good news is that a Christmas move can run just as smoothly as a summer one if you set yourself up properly.
Quick checklist for moving house in December (Brighton & Sussex)
- Confirm key times and building access rules
- Sort parking and loading space early (permit streets, narrow roads)
- Pack an essentials box (plus a first night box)
- Prepare for rain and muddy entrances
- Keep heating, lights and chargers accessible
- Protect the 24th, 25th and 26th for family time if you can
If you are moving in Brighton or Sussex this Christmas and want a calm, organised moving day, get a quick quote at eastsussexvan.com and keep your move booked in early. For real moving day clips, packing tips and December checklists, follow ESV Removals Ltd on Instagram so you can move in, warm up, and get back to the festivities faster.
Local Pro Tip: Defrost and Dry Your Fridge Freezer Early
Moving house in December often means colder kitchens and damp hallways, so give yourself time. Defrost the freezer 24–48 hours before moving day, empty and dry it fully, then leave the doors slightly open to prevent smells and leaks in transit.
1. Build a Timeline for a Christmas Move in Brighton
December gets busy fast. Schools break up, work deadlines pile in, and the roads can be more unpredictable. The biggest win is having a simple plan that stops the move creeping up on you.
Think before handling/lifting. Plan the lift/handling activity. - HSE England
Start with your key collection date and work backwards. Decide when you will tackle the loft, when you will pack the kitchen, when donations will be dropped off, and when you will confirm access and parking. For Christmas moves in Brighton and Hove, permit zones and narrow streets can make access tricky, so it is worth thinking early about where the van will go and whether you need a parking bay suspension.
Local Pro Tip: Brighton Parking
Brighton and Hove moves often come down to access. If your road is tight, permit-heavy, or busy at school run times, a good parking plan can be the difference between a smooth move and a stressful one. If you can, plan the van position early, speak to neighbours if needed, and consider a parking bay suspension where it makes sense. The closer we can park, the faster and safer the carry, especially in winter weather.
A tip that works well is treating packing like short appointments. Even twenty minutes a night keeps things moving without sacrificing every weekend in December.
A simple December moving timeline we recommend
- 2–3 weeks before: book your removals date, confirm access, start a declutter box for charity and tip runs
- 10–14 days before: gather boxes and packing paper, begin with loft, cupboards and spare rooms
- 7 days before: confirm parking or loading plan, start the kitchen in stages (rarely used items first)
- 48 hours before: pack most of the house, leave out only essentials, charge tools and devices
- Moving day: keep hallways clear, keep one “warm room” available, keep your essentials box in the car
Local Pro Tip: Sussex Apartment Moves
If you are in a block with a lift, tell your building agent or concierge as early as you can and get the lift booked in for moving day. Most buildings will proof the lift and often cover the floors in the lift and communal areas too, which protects the panels and flooring and helps stop snow, mud or rain getting trodden in and staining the surfaces.
2. Moving House in December: Pack for Winter Weather
Winter weather changes the game. Cardboard can soften if it gets damp, tape can lose grip, and a sudden downpour can turn the front path into a slippery obstacle course.
Slow down - it can take 10 times longer to stop in snowy or icy conditions, so allow extra room. - Met Office
A few simple adjustments make a huge difference:
- Use strong boxes and do not overload them. Heavy boxes are more likely to split when they get wet.
- Keep a couple of large plastic bags or sheets ready for last minute items if it rains.
- Put a moving blanket by the door for wiping feet and drying hands, especially in shared hallways.
- Protect floors at both properties because wet shoes plus heavy lifting is not a great mix.
On our side, we plan routes to reduce idling and wasted mileage, and where possible we prioritise Esso Ethos Fuel. In winter, good planning matters even more because nobody wants to be standing outside longer than needed.
Planning a Christmas move in Brighton or Sussex? Get a quick quote at eastsussexvan.com or call 07552 555 820 to speak directly with Peter. For real December move clips and packing tips, follow ESV Removals Ltd on Instagram.
Local Pro Tip: Packing
If you are moving in Brighton or Sussex close to Christmas, our 5★ packing service can take a huge amount of stress off your plate. We can come to the property one or two days before moving day and pack everything properly, label it clearly, and keep essentials aside so you are not up late the night before surrounded by half packed boxes.
3. Christmas Essentials Box for a Sussex House Removal
If you only do one thing, do this. Instead of letting festive bits disappear into the packing, keep one dedicated box or bag for the things you actually want access to straight away.
Think of it as your Christmas survival kit. Include a few decorations, stockings, your favourite mugs, a tin of biscuits, fairy lights, and anything that makes the new place feel like home quickly. If you have children, add a small bundle of familiar items so the first night feels calm. If you have pets, keep bowls, food, leads, and bedding together too.
Here's a simple checklist for you to reference back to during your move:
Festive basics
- A small set of decorations (tree topper or a few baubles)
- Fairy lights (plus spare batteries)
- Stockings
- Tape, scissors and a couple of hooks or command strips
Cosy first night kit
- Kettle, tea, coffee, sugar
- Milk or long life milk
- Mugs, teaspoons and a small plate
- Biscuits or mince pies
- A blanket or throws
Kitchen and clean up
- Washing up liquid and sponge
- Tea towel and kitchen roll
- Bin bags
- Surface wipes
Kids and pets (if you have them)
- A favourite toy or comfort item
- Pyjamas for Christmas Eve
- Pet bowls, food, leads and bedding
Chargers and basics
- Phone chargers and extension lead
- Torch (or a head torch) for darker evenings
- A pen and marker for last minute labelling
Label this box clearly and keep it with you in the car rather than on the van. That way, even if the day runs later than planned, you can still put the kettle on and make a cosy corner without digging through boxes.
If you want more moving tips, packing ideas, and behind the scenes clips from real jobs, follow us on Instagram. We post regular reels and quick advice that makes moving feel a lot more manageable.
4. Stay Warm and Safe on Moving Day on The South Coast
Moving is physical work, and in December you can go from sweating to freezing in minutes. Pack as if you are going out for a winter day, not just moving between two front doors.
Keep these within easy reach:
- A warm layer you can put on quickly
- Gloves with grip for carrying boxes outdoors
- A spare set of dry socks
- A flask or hot drinks supplies
- Snacks you can eat one handed
Also think about the property itself. If the heating is off during loading, the house cools down fast. A low steady temperature is usually better than blasting the heating later, and it helps to keep one room as a warm base for breaks.
Local Pro Tip: Move Timing Around School Runs and Sea Front Traffic
In Brighton and along the Sussex coast, school run traffic and seafront routes can add surprising delays. If you can, schedule loading outside peak drop off and pick up times and avoid tight arrival windows. A little flexibility in timing is one of the easiest ways to keep a December move calm.
We cover Brighton and Hove, Lewes, Peacehaven, Newhaven, Shoreham, Worthing, Lancing, Hassocks, Burgess Hill and the wider Sussex area as well as London.
5. Leave Space For Christmas
A Christmas move is still a big life moment. It is easy to let it become just a checklist, but the nicest Christmas moves in Brighton are the ones where you build in a little breathing room.
Local Pro Tip: Build in Breathing Space (Brighton, Sussex & London)
Brighton and Sussex moves can feel a bit more intense in December because everything takes longer than you expect. Permit streets, tight stairwells, school run traffic, winter weather, and lift bookings can all add little delays that stack up. The best way to keep the day calm is to plan breathing space into the schedule.
If you are moving close to Christmas, we also recommend protecting the important part, your family time. Aim to have the heavy lifting done and the essentials sorted so you can properly switch off for the 24th, 25th and 26th. We certainly do.
If you can, avoid packing your whole day back to back with errands. Give yourself a buffer for delays and make space for the small good bits, like a coffee, a quick photo outside your new front door, or ten minutes to put music on while you unpack the essentials.
Once you are in, focus on the simple wins first. Bed made, kettle out, a couple of decorations up, and you are already winning.
And at the end of the day, Christmas is for family. You only get so many, so if you can, plan your move around the festivities and protect a proper break on the 24th, 25th and 26th. Even if everything is not perfectly unpacked, a calm few days with the people you care about matters more. We certainly do.
Local Pro Tip: Protecting Your Gifts and Deliveries
If you’re moving close to Christmas, set aside a small “do not load” bag for gifts, cards, and anything you don’t want mixed into removal boxes. Also double check delivery addresses for anything arriving in the week of the move. It’s one of the most common December headaches, and it’s easy to avoid with one quick list.
If You Are Moving in Brighton, Sussex or London this Christmas
We are used to moving house in December, from permit streets and tight staircases to long distance trips and rainy loading days. We work calmly, protect your belongings properly, and keep the plan clear so you can focus on settling in.
If you are planning a Christmas move in Brighton or Sussex and want it handled calmly and properly, give Peter a call on 07552 555 820 or get a quick quote at eastsussexvan.com. For packing tips, behind the scenes clips and real moving day reels throughout December, follow us on Instagram and keep your move feeling easy right up to Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer Christmas moves in Brighton and Hove right up to Christmas week?
Yes, we do. December dates book up quickly, so if you are planning a Christmas move in Brighton it helps to secure your slot early so we can plan access, timing and parking.
When is the best time to start moving house in December?
Earlier starts are usually best in winter. Daylight is shorter and traffic can be slower, so a morning load gives you more flexibility if the weather turns or the building has busy access windows.
Do I need a parking suspension bay for a Brighton Christmas house move?
Often yes, especially on permit streets and narrow roads. A closer park means less carrying, a quicker load, and less time with doors open in the cold or rain.
We are in a flat or apartment block. Should we book the lift for moving day?
Definitely. Tell your building agent or concierge early so they can book the lift and proof it to protect the panels. Many blocks also cover the floors in communal areas, which helps stop snow, mud or rain staining the surfaces.
What happens if it rains on moving day in Brighton?
Rain is common on south coast winter moves, so we plan for it. A simple way you can help is to keep an indoor staging area near the door so boxes are not left outside, and keep blankets handy for hallways and entrances.
How should I pack Christmas decorations so they do not get smashed?
Use smaller boxes, pad gaps well, and label the box fragile. Baubles travel best with soft padding and tight packing so nothing rattles. Keep a separate Christmas essentials box with you for the first night.
Can you move a Christmas tree during a Sussex Christmas house removal?
Yes. Artificial trees are easiest when kept in sections and wrapped. Real trees can be moved too, but they are best protected at the base and loaded last so branches are not crushed.
What should I keep with me during a Christmas move in Brighton?
Keep your first night essentials in the car, kettle bits, mugs, tea or coffee, chargers, toiletries, bedding for one night, a torch, and a small festive pack like fairy lights or stockings so the house feels settled quickly.
Is moving house in December more expensive than other months?
It depends on the date, access and how much needs moving. The busiest days close to Christmas can be in higher demand, so booking earlier usually gives you the best choice of slots.
Can you help us get set up quickly before Christmas Day?
Yes. If you want beds built, a sofa placed, or key furniture assembled so you can properly switch off for the 24th, 25th and 26th, mention it when you book and we will plan the day around it.
Ready to get your Christmas move wrapped up and out the way? If you are planning Christmas moves in Brighton or moving house in December anywhere across Sussex, book in early and we will handle it calmly, carefully and properly so you can get back to what matters. Get a quick quote at eastsussexvan.com or call 07552 555 820 to speak directly with Peter. And for real moving day reels, packing tips and festive move checklists, follow us on Instagram so your move feels more like Christmas and less like chaos.
About the author...
Peter Hawes is the director of ESV Removals Ltd, a family run Brighton and Sussex removals team known for calm planning, careful handling and clear prices. Peter oversees every move from first message to the last box and brings local know-how for permit zones, tight stairwells and seafront buildings. ESV is fully insured with £20,000 Goods in Transit and £5 million Public Liability, recognised with two SME Southern Enterprise Awards in 2025 and backed by 280 plus five star Google reviews. The company follows an eco pledge that prioritises Esso Ethos fuel where available, reuses boxes and runs paperless bookings. Learn more at www.eastsussexvan.com or call 07552 555 820.
