What To Pack in Your First Night Bag

First night bags help you avoid unnecessary stress by ensuring everything you need to shower, sleep and get ready is easily accessible as soon as you move into your new home. Instead of digging through multiple boxes, first night bags allow you to start settling in straight away, even before your movers arrive ‒ an important consideration in long-distance relocations. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, knowing what to pack in your first night bag helps ease the transition, saving time and effort while avoiding unnecessary stress during the first few nights in your new home.

Preparing Your First Night Bag

While local moves are normally completed in a single day, interstate moves take significantly longer. Due to long distances and complex logistics, homeowners often arrive ahead of their movers, forcing them to get by on their own until their belongings catch up to them.

First night bags and boxes help bridge the gap, ensuring you have everything you need when you reach your destination. Homeowners with extended delivery windows (more than ten days, for instance) may want to pack an additional box with extra supplies, just to be sure they have enough to get by until their moving team arrives. Since first night bags have to travel with you in your personal vehicle, space may be limited, so focus only on basic items, such as:

Bed and Bathroom Essentials

After pulling up to your new home, the first thing you’ll want to do is relax and get situated, so make sure each member of your family has enough supplies to take care of themselves for a few days. This includes:

Change of Clothes
Pajamas
Comb or Hairbrush
Shampoo
Soap
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Mouthwash
Makeup and Cosmetics
Bathmat
Bath Towel
Toilet Paper

To save space, consider purchasing travel-sized hygiene products instead of full-sized ones. If your home has an alcove or clawfoot tub instead of a fully enclosed shower, you’ll need to bring a shower curtain, so you can rinse off without splashing water everywhere. Parents with babies and toddlers may also need:

Diapers
Dirty Diaper Bag
Wipes
Pacifiers
Bottles
Breast Pump
Baby Formula
Stroller or Baby Carrier

Don’t forget to bring along a few comfort items as well, like a blanket or stuffed animal. Having these types of familiar objects makes it easier for children to manage stress and remain calm in new environments and situations.

Personal Electronics

Portable digital devices like tablets, smartphones, and laptops provide a reliable means of communication and entertainment. Make sure you pack charging cables and adapters so you can keep your devices fully powered at every stage of your journey.

Snacks and Utensils

Since their refrigerator and pantry are empty, most people pick up a pizza or some fast food on their first night in their new home. However, to save money, some homeowners bring non-perishable food along with them instead, so they don’t have to eat out for every meal. Popular items include:

Peanut Butter
Crackers
Pretzels
Rice Cakes
Beef Jerky
Nuts
Dried Fruit
Fruit Snacks
Protein Bars

Since your plates, utensils, and glassware are on the moving truck, pack some napkins, paper plates, disposable cups, and plastic utensils so you can eat without making a mess. You’ll also need a couple of trash bags to dispose of wrappers and empty boxes.

Bedding and Linens

Since you might not have access to your beds and mattresses, you’ll need to pay special attention to your sleeping arrangements on your first night. To ensure everyone can rest comfortably, pack:

Pillows
Sheets
Blankets
Sleeping Bags
Portable Playpen

If you don’t already have one, purchase a futon or air mattress so you don’t have to lay on the floor. While most air mattresses come with built-in air pumps, some still rely on external ones. If this is the case, keep the pump in the same box as the mattress, so you don’t need to hunt around for it when you arrive.

Cleaning Supplies

Though not an essential task, cleaning your home before your furniture and belongings are delivered allows you to dust, wash, and scrub the hard-to-reach spaces in your house. If you have room, consider taking some basic cleaning supplies so you can tidy up before your movers get there. We recommend:

Rags
Paper Towels
Sponge
Scrub Brush
All-Purpose Cleaner
Hand Broom
Dustpan
Rubber Gloves

You may want to pack a fix-it kit as well, in case you discover any minor repairs that need to be done around the house. A few simple tools and supplies are normally all you need. These include:

Wrench
Screwdriver
Pliers
Hammer
Box Cutter
Screws
Nails
Light bulbs

A flashlight or headlamp is also useful. While lights are standard on cellphones, often they’re not as powerful or versatile as a purpose-built device.

Pack According to Your Situation

The purpose of a first night bag is to help you adjust to your new home while the rest of your belongings are still en route, so don’t include anything you think you can do without for a few days. Space is always a serious consideration, especially when traveling in a small vehicle. If you have room to include everything, great! Otherwise, prioritize items that can’t be easily purchased (e.g. clothes, electronics) over ones that can (e.g. snacks, paper towels).

Household Moving with Allied

Allied has been helping people move for nearly 100 years. Our agents work with thousands of households every year, helping them pack, ship, and store their belongings. No matter how far you’re going, we have the tools, skills, and resources to get you there as smoothly as possible. Contact us today for a free quote!