You’ve done it – you’ve made the move that you have been dreaming about for years – congratulations! Being in your new home for Christmas is fantastic but it can also add stresses and strains.

Article written by The Overseas Guides Company

If you have kids, being away from the place that they are used to can cause upset. Today the OverseasGuidesCompany.com have compiled a list of a few steps that you can take to make sure that you are as settled as possible before the big day rolls around…

Get unpacking

A new home and a whole new country is a lot to take in at any time of year but at Christmas, this can become even more apparent. It’s important that as soon as possible, you do your best to make it feel like home. If you have received all of your belongings, get to work! Make unpacking the children’s belongings your priority as it will be nice for them to have all of their beloved items around them. Get to work on the living areas too. If your belongings are still being shipped, see if you can buy cheap furniture as an interim measure so that you can get by. Most importantly, get yourself a tree and some decorations – even if the sun is blazing or the view out of your window is completely alien, inside, make it feel like the Christmas that you know and love.

Help the kids feel at home

Christmas is a time for the children so their happiness should be paramount. Help them to get to know the local area, get them involved in the unpacking process and take them food shopping. Get them to help choose the items that you will be feasting on come Christmas Day – hopefully finding something familiar will help to make them feel more settled.

Get connected

One piece of advice that we always give to combat homesickness is to get your means of communication up and running as soon as possible. Having the ability to chat to friends and family over the telephone, or even better, on Skype will make the miles between yourselves and your loved ones back home not seem so bad.

For details of property for sale overseas, visit the listings on Rightmove Overseas. For more information about buying property or moving abroad, visit www.overseasguidescompany.com and follow the link to your preferred country.