How to Make Celebrations and Military Moves Fit Together
by PCSgrades Staff - May 4th, 2022
Military moves, even when predictable and planned months in advance, always seem to bump up against a big family celebration.
Sometimes this means military families are hosting holiday meals the day before the packers come, or the day after they’ve delivered everything. It can also mean spouses are working on the road with their hotspot or in the laundry room of the hotel while washing clothes halfway through the cross-country move.
While a summer PCS season makes sense for families with school-aged kids, it also means everyone is trying to figure out how to stay long enough to make all the end-of-year stuff while also arriving at the next place on time. Late May and early June are full of weddings, sports banquets, concerts, and graduations. Many military families find a way to make this work – just like they do for everything – and arrange for a break in the packing cycle so they can attend these events.
If it’s impossible to make your timeline work with your previous plans, you can still celebrate those who deserve to be celebrated.
Tips for making celebrations special during a move
Celebrate ahead of time. Move a birthday party ahead of time or ask the sports team to make the last game special, if you can’t make it to the party. Invite your friends over while you still have all your condiments. If it's after your boxes have been packed, make the party a potluck.
Celebrate afterward. If you’re moving closer to family and friends, consider waiting for your celebration until you’re moved so they can attend. It’s better to celebrate as a family before or after than to make a rush attempt that is overshadowed by a move.
Invite input. When you’re planning your road trip, ask each family member to choose a restaurant or a special treat they want. That way, when you pass a roadside ice cream stand one day, you can make a big deal out of stopping for a treat.
Celebrate everything at once, on the road. Does your move take you past a fancy hotel or a water park? Make that day a special celebration where everyone can enjoy themselves in the lull between packing out and unpacking.
How to make the pre-PCS celebrations easier
Send guests to a hotel. If you’re hosting a party within a few weeks of your move, find a local hotel with reasonable rates and make that the option for visiting friends and family.
Combine forces with another family. Not every person needs their own graduation party, especially if several of them are military without a lot of family in town. Join in with some of the other parents – let the family who's not moving host – and enjoy time with friends without the stress.
Outsource as much as possible. If you’re throwing any kind of party or event close to a military move, ask for help. Hire a cleaning company to clean the house before/after the event. Hire a caterer or have the event at a restaurant. Ask your friends to help with last-minute errands.
Invite your family along. Sometimes military units and civilian companies want to have a going away lunch or dinner. It’s hard to ask yet another thing of your family in this season, but your career is worth it too. Your spouse would absolutely love to see you honored by your coworkers. To make it more memorable, bring your family along. This also gives you a reason to leave early.
Prioritize your family’s desires during a PCS
Military moving in the middle of life’s special occasions is challenging at best. It may be tempting to push graduation or birthday celebrations aside with a move on the horizon, but to your family member, this is an important important. So set aside the packing tape and the boxes and recognize the accomplishment and celebration that comes with it. Take a moment to document the pride on your graduate’s face when they walk across the stage. Cheer with the crowds as the last goal of the season is scored. And eat cake to celebrate that birthday.
