apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

toilet paper, paper towels, duct tape, box cutter, some simple tools, pen and paper

A shower curtain. I always have a shower curtain handy since EVERYONE wants to take a shower at the end of the first day. Usually it's just something from the dollar store until I am ready to "do" the bathroom, but it works and is better than spraying water everywhere.

A pen/marker and some paper are great for making lists of things you didn't realize you would need. Your first aid kit -- for any sort of emergency. Also any other essentials that you might need first night like toothpaste and toothbrushes, any eye care type of solutions, and of course tp.

i write numbers on each box and create a list to know what's in each box --it's super simple and a great system to know what you have in each box --moreover it also a good indication to know if the movers had brought all the boxes to the apt.

*toiletries bag
*camera (i'm a 'before' picture-taker kinda gal and besides, it may be helpful to take a shot of a previous tennant's damage to cover yourself if you're renting)
*box cutter

I do the same, with a numbered list, but actually in Excel - that way it's easy to search for something later...but silverware and a plate or two is also in my "unpack first" box.

Toilet paper, a shower curtain and a bottle of Advil.

one more item is a champagne bottle to celebrate the move!! no need for a glass just drink from the bottle :)

Checkbook (and checks... I just moved and am still trying to find my box of checks) and any bills that are due soon.

@Foog If you're taking photos of previous tenant damage, be sure and get today's newspaper or something else with a date on it in the photo. That makes it much harder to say "Well, obviously, they could have changed the date on the photo!"

Advil... haha. yes. advil.

Cat food is paramount. I always have a special suitcase for all of my pet gear and then put my essentials into another suitcase. It's easier for me to keep track of my bags rather than boxes--no matter how well marked they are.

Matches? Unless you also packed knives, cutting boards, pots, and foodstuffs in the box, I'm not sure why you'd be too worried about the gas stove not lighting. Don't most people just order takeout during a move?

I think hmr is right on with the shower curtain and a towel or two. I would add a boombox and ipod- having some music to unpack to is always nice. I usually don't have an open first box, but pack in such a way that the first things I need are readily available, and go in a car as oppossed to the truck. Toiletries get dumped in a small suitcase, cleaning supplies in a wastebasket, etc. A toolbox is handy to have loose, as is a cordless drill.

Having just moved, I totally know the importance of this. I had a few "Open First" items, and some of them were easier to find than others. Shower curtain and liner is so important. Also, put a bottle opener in there if you're a beer drinker :)

Emily

it is sad to say that i have moved around my entire life (military kid) and have never done this! i always had a suitcase with the essential personal items but never a box for essential house items. thank you for the tip!

SCISSORS, SCISSORS AND MORE SCISSORS.

Amen to the shower curtain. The last time we moved it was 101 and I was 8 months pregnant. That promised shower was the only reason I made it through the day.

I would also pack specific food/needs if you have children or pets. Maybe a change of clothes as well and numbers for dinner delivery.

I always put in a change of clothes for that night and for the next morning. It seems like you can never find the box with that tank top in it the next day...just three boxes full of work clothes. I also like to make sure that my clip-on work lights are handy, since a new place is often kind of dark before you've put all your lamps out. And I agree with the suitcase thing -- that way I don't have to read all the labels on the boxes.

Other than that, I agree with pps about scissors, pen and paper, a cordless drill, tunes, cheap shower curtain, TOILET PAPER, and pet stuff. Especially a brand new dog toy of super-awesomeness (if you have dog who is into toys), which will keep him occupied way longer than the same old toy from last week.

Bookmarking this article for future reference!

We beat our stuff to the new apartment by several days -- we flew from San Francisco to Chicago -- and an old Chicago friend took pity on us and drove us to a Target on our first night. We bought scissors, sheets, towels, cleaners, bath soap, TP, and an air mattress. It was fine.

But mollymcg is right: in your "open first" box, include your checks. Last month, the boy and I were both up shit creek without our checkbooks, and I still have no idea which box has my prescriptions in it.

I second the scissors or box cutter, but also:

Corkscrew/bottle opener!

In my most recent move, in the open-first box (which actually I think might have been just a duffel bag) I also put in a folder with my most recent paperwork of bills, the list of change of address contacts, new utility companies, stuff like that. Basically, my in-box. I was afraid if I packed it with my other files, I might forget about something important.

i had 4 addresses in less than 4 years by last September...

for me a kettle, tea pot, cup, tea and canned milk were necessities with each move. i'm surprized no one said "coffee maker"!

:-)

When I found a pint of ice cream at the end of a long-haul moving day, and after opening 6 boxes that were labeled "kitchen miscellaneous" at 2AM and no spoon found, I certainly learned the lesson. YES, a picnic set is a must in the "open first" box! (BTW, the 7th box had a plastic spoon in it)

Am I the only one who lists exactly what is in every box on the box? LOL. One box last move actually said - silverware, pot and pan lids, dish towels, and plastic cups.

Anyways, I always unpack kitchen and bathroom stuff immediately - I have always been grateful at least by the next day.

Biggest advice I can give is if possible, move bathroom stuff the night before (or early morning of) and unpack it.

Definitely a bottle opener and picnic set - and a light bulb or two, dont want to get to your new place and find out the previous owners have taken the lightbulbs (cheapskates!!)

We're preparing to move this September and I will have a few open firsts.
An open first house box with Coffee maker, beans, grinder, and filters,towels,rags, sponges, cleaning supplies, bagged and labeled hardware from items that were disassembled prior to the move (along with manuals if crucial to the re-assembly process) can opener, scissors, flat head a Philips screwdriver, flashlight, candles, batteries, hammer, box cutter, tape, first aid kit, Motrin, shower curtain, hotel style bath rug,spare light bulbs, and soap, hand towels and toilet paper for the bathroom.
An open first (or keep readily available) office box with phone chargers, envelopes, bills, stamps, checks, pens, small pads of paper for lists, and a small amount of cash.
For the kitchen I plan on using our picnic basket with it's plates, cups, and plastic flatware, and cloth napkins. bottle opener, list of local delivery restaurant's phone numbers and a handful of non-perishable snacks like almonds, pretzels, and granola.
The move is across town so I also plan on preparing a fruit salad, and a party type crudites tray of veggies and hummus for snacking that can later be used to top homemade pizza. I'm going to prepare pizza dough and a batch of cinnamon rolls that will remain frozen until move day, then placed in the fridge to thaw. When it's time to break for dinner, we'll simply top our pizzas with leftover veggies and pop them in the oven. And the next morning when we are bleary eyed and sore, cinnamon rolls will be a wonderful way to make our house feel like home.
We'll also have a suitcase for each family member with a weeks worth of clothing, alarm clocks, towels, sheets and any items we need right away i.e. prescriptions.