Shoestring Budget

If your friend's move has caught you by surprise and you have little to no budget for the gift, you can still provide a thoughtful going-away present by making a gift of your time. This could include offering to help pack and declutter or even offering to go with your friend if they're planning a long-distance move and need a second driver.

You could also help your friend find and obtain packaging materials for free. Scouring online free listings for used moving boxes, calling local businesses (such as liquor and furniture stores) to find sturdy boxes for free, and similar strategies can help you find a variety of packing boxes to donate to your friend's moving needs.

Other free ideas include:

• Collecting newspapers and other packing materials from friends and family
• Offering to perform a move-out clean on moving day
• Using your vehicle to help haul away unwanted furniture and charity donations
• Offering your services as a babysitter or pet sitter on moving day if your friend has kids or pets
• Helping with moving-related paperwork such as USPS change of address forms

Any move is a complicated process with many working parts, and your friend will likely be relieved to have any of these responsibilities off their shoulders.

If you have a slightly higher budget, you can offer a gift of some useful or fun moving-related items that your friend may not have thought of. For instance, you could put together a gift bag with some color-coded permanent markers, large labels for moving boxes, and color-coded duct tape to help your friend stay organized while packing.

Another idea for medium-low budgets is to organize a party where you invite some mutual friends over to help your friend pack. This provides a combined gift of your time, your organization skills, refreshments for the party, and any packing supplies you bring. Be sure to ask your friend what date and time works best for them before you plan the party.

If you're not so strapped for cash, you may want to spring for some sturdier packing bins such as plastic tubs. These types of bins can not only help your friend during the move but also provide plenty of storage for attic and closet spaces for years to come.

Another idea for a medium budget is a gift certificate for a pizza delivery company. This can help your friend feed any volunteers on moving day or can just give them a free meal so that they don't have to worry about cooking when their kitchen is all packed up. Make sure you choose a pizza company that has locations near both your friend's current house and their new home, if possible.

If you have a generous budget and you really want to help out a close friend who's going through a tough time, consider a gift certificate for professional moving-related services. This can be an especially thoughtful gift if you want to offer some of your own time but can't.

For example, you could buy a gift certificate for a cleaning company. These can be useful for move-out cleanings, move-in cleanings, and more. Professional packing services can also make a great gift. And some moving companies may even allow you to buy a gift certificate to pay for part of the moving costs, or you can gift your friend a check to put towards the cost.

As you can see, a friend who's planning a move likely has many different needs you can choose from as you plan your gift. For more information about the professional moving, packing, and storage services we offer, contact O'Sullivan Moving & Storage Co. today.