Shopping list for your first shopping trip after moving

The move is complete and it's time for your first big shopping trip. You're probably missing a lot of groceries because you probably didn't bring much food with you to your new home in order to carry fewer moving boxes. But don't worry! Our experienced moving consultants have put together the ultimate shopping list for your first shopping trip after moving, based on the motto: Only a full refrigerator and a well-stocked bathroom make your new home really cozy.

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Table of contents:

1. Survival box for moving day
2. Staple foods
3. The joy of opening the refrigerator
4. Quick meals for the first few days
5. Kitchen equipment
6. Bathroom accessories
7. Cleaning supplies

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Survival box for moving day

Although it is not worth moving large quantities of food, we advise you to pack a cooler or survival box for moving day. Often, in the heat of the moment, you don't get around to eating. In these cases, it's worth having your favorite snacks on hand, such as chips, mini salamis, or salted nuts. Bananas are ideal for moving because they don't need to be washed and are an excellent source of energy. A cooler with water, fruit juice, and your favorite beer are great thirst quenchers, and a bottle of sparkling wine will really lift the mood during the move. Instant coffee, tea, or a thermos flask with your favorite drink are also helpful. Remember to pack your kettle and coffee or espresso machine so that they are easily accessible at all times. A simple pot and a set of cutlery should also not be hidden too far down in the box for simple meals. Filling your stomach during a break can greatly increase both your own motivation and that of your moving helpers, and in most cases is also sorely needed. Often, you don't notice your tiredness and your rumbling stomach when you're full of energy, but it's important to recharge your batteries regularly so you can keep going in the long run.

Staple foods

The following foods belong in every kitchen because they allow you to prepare numerous dishes:

• Fats: butter and oil
• grains: flour, pasta, rice, oatmeal, muesli, cornflakes
• Beverages: coffee, tea, milk, coffee cream, chocolate powder
• Spices: sugar, salt, pepper, dried herbs
• Vegetables and fruit: potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes, apples, oranges, etc.
• Canned goods: tuna, anchovies, herring fillets, mackerel, vegetables
• Bread: fresh or bake-off
• Spreads: jam, honey, vegetarian spreads, nut butter
• Snacks: nuts, dried fruit, chips, pretzels, chocolate, pralines, cookies
• Other items: eggs, vinegar, soy sauce, salad dressing, pickles, mustard, horseradish, ketchup, mayonnaise

The joy of opening the refrigerator

Few things convey a feeling of home as directly as a refrigerator filled with your favorite foods. Treat yourself to whatever you like best, even if it's a little more expensive. A hearty breakfast is especially important to get you through the busy first few days after the move. Even if you think the heavy lifting is over, things like painting walls, assembling furniture, moving it into place, and setting up your home take a lot of energy. Some people swear by a hearty meal like scrambled eggs and bacon to fortify themselves for the daunting tasks ahead. Others are satisfied with a rich muesli or a classic breakfast roll.

• Bread toppings: sausage, ham, cheese, smoked salmon, jam, spreads
• Fruit: all kinds of berries and exotic delicacies
• Vegetables: all kinds of fresh and healthy vegetables
• Drinks: Water, juice, beer, white wine, sparkling wine to toast your new apartment
• Ice cream
• Frozen vegetables and fruit

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Quick meals for the first few days

Shortly after moving, you will probably have little time to cook. However, currywurst or other food from snack bars will not provide you with sufficient nutrition during this stressful time. Therefore, when you go shopping for the first time, you should also plan meals that you can prepare quickly yourself and that still contain adequate nutritional value. With a ready-made salad dressing, lettuce leaves, and sliced tomatoes and peppers, you can serve a healthy side dish to protein that is quickly fried in a pan in no time at all. Toss a can of tuna over the salad and you have a healthy main course in just a few minutes. Pasta with sauce or scrambled eggs with fried potatoes and a buttered roll also require little effort.

• Pasta sauces: tomato sauce, pesto, long-life cream for cream sauces
• Frozen meals, e.g. pizza, lasagna, or pan-fried dishes
• Meat: steaks, schnitzel, chops, sausages, fish fillets
• Salad: any type of leaf salad, tomatoes, peppers

Kitchen equipment

The kitchen is not only used for cooking, but also for washing up and cleaning. To ensure not only a smooth start in your new home, but also a pleasant moving experience, you should get a few things for your kitchen in advance. The following basic equipment belongs in every household, no matter how new it is.

• Dish soap
• Sponge
• Dishwasher powder, salt, and rinse aid or dishwasher tabs
• Laundry detergent
• Fabric softener
• Kitchen roll
• Paper napkins
• Aluminum foil
• Baking paper
• Cling film
• Garbage bags
• Freezer bags
• Coffee filters

Bathroom accessories

The bathroom is often given the lowest priority, as it is assumed to be already furnished and “just” needs decorating. However, the first time you use the toilet, you will realize how important it is to have the basic equipment in this room, especially if there is no toilet paper available. Hand soap and a clean towel can also be important aids when moving house. Therefore, it is advisable not to neglect the list below for the bathroom and to add it to your first shopping list.

• Liquid soap for washing hands
• Toothpaste
• Shower gel
• Shampoo
• Deodorant
• Face cream, hand cream
• Toilet paper
• Wet wipes
• Band-Aids
• Disinfectant for wounds
• Antiseptic cream

Cleaning supplies

When moving into a new apartment, it is often advisable to buy new cleaning products and equipment. Even if an apartment must be handed over to the landlord in a “broom-clean” condition when moving out, many people have very different ideas about hygiene. In particular, the toilet, shower, kitchen work surfaces, and hard floors should always be cleaned again when moving in.

• Mop
• Broom
• Hand brush set
• Bucket
• Dust cloth
• Floor cleaner, possibly special cleaner for wooden floors
• Glass cleaner
• Scouring cream
• Curd soap
• Microfiber cloths

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Frequently asked questions:

What do I need during my move?

• Light bulbs
• The most important cleaning supplies
• Paper kitchen towels
• Batteries
• Water & bread (/sandwiches)
• Garbage bags
• Toilet paper