You have gone through your home and decided what to keep and take with you on your move. Lists have been made so you know approximately how many packing containers or boxes you need and how much packing material for breakables and packing tape for closing containers without lid closures. Hopefully, you have even purchased what you will need to do the actual packing. Now you are ready to start the packing process.
As most moves are known to happen in advance of them actually happening, you should be able to start the packing process as soon as you know the move will be for sure and at least a month before the actual moving day. You will want to start your packing with non-essentials such as books, holiday decorations, off-season clothing, off-season tools, nick-nacks, and fancy dishware and glasses. If your rooms are big enough, you can store packed items in the rooms when packed. And remember, always label containers be they plastic or paper on all sides and the tops. Noting what room the items came from and what room you want the boxes to go to in your new home will greatly help the unloading and settling-in process.
Time will pass quickly, and soon it will be time to pack your everyday items and clothing. Before you do this, go through things and pull out what you will need if your move requires traveling. Even if you are moving within the same area, there will be a few days when life is unorganized, and it will be helpful to have enough clothing and personal items to see you through several days. A note here: If there are children, especially young ones involved, be sure to keep out special items they need for security, such as favorite pillows, blankets, toys, books, and clothing. Children like helping with the packing so they could have their own small suitcase and a special box for packing just their items.
Most folks know how to pack glass and breakables. There are wonderful packing materials to purchase, but a hint to save some money is to use bed linens, blankets, towels, and clothing that doesn’t wrinkle as padding. It is also a good idea to wash all items before packing so everything will be sparkling clean in your new home.
Furniture should be covered when possible. Old sheets work well for this. Blankets work well for padding between items that scratch easily, such as end tables and bookcases. Rugs should be cleaned thoroughly and then rolled. Pictures should be carefully padded between each and packed in containers with extra protections such as styrofoam peanuts.
Most kitchenware is not damaged easily so that they can be packed together without additional protection.
In most homes, there is a considerable amount of clothing, some to be folded and some, if possible, to keep on hangers. Items such as socks and shoes can be packed in clean wastebaskets, and laundry hampers and folded items can be placed in containers. Hanging clothes, 6 to 8 hangers in each, can be put in large, new garbage bags with the hangers poking out of a hole in the top. Tie or tape the bottom of the bag and lay the bags carefully in a pile or better yet find ways to hang them on some items such as crossbars of chairs stacked upside down.
Packing for a move is a challenging job, but if done with purpose and determination in an organized fashion, it won’t really seem that bad. And, a final note, especially if you are traveling or having someone else move your things: Never pack items of value that cannot be replaced, especially sentimental items such as photos, jewelry, antiques, and your child’s “binkie.”
