What to Leave Out...What to Put in

First let me just say, you're gonna be uncomfortable for awhile.  That's why what you pack first really matters because as soon as you get a few boxes packed, someone will say, "Have you seen my ...?"   There begins the un-taping of boxes and the search.  I ha-ate that!   It's very difficult to avoid it but here are some ideas (learned through the sweat of my brow so you don't have to sweat):

• Pack only non-essential items first ... Knick knacks and that sort of stuff - things that are only there to please the eye.  It is SO refreshing to have all the stuff of life put away in a box and neatly stacked in a corner.  The things hanging on the walls can definitely go.  The move has begun!
• Pack the kitchen last. 
• For children, pack their boxes and do not tape them up until the last day (that way if you need to find something for them, you're not going crazy ... Well, you're not going too crazy-it's still annoying as crap).  
• If you don't already have one, buy a big duffle bag or a tourist case for your essential bathroom items which you'll take with your personal stuff.  This is necessary even if you're moving down the street.   You will want your toiletries handy and it's impossible to find them any other way.  
  
• Have a backpack for each child or pet in which you'll pack their essential items such as special toy, blankie ... Well, you know.   My husbands backpack contains all those things he sets on his nightstand and all those things he can't live without for a few days (or however long it takes to move and unpack), like the book he's reading, his electrical cords (placed in separate baggies) and his precious imported chocolate bar.  Lol.  
  
• Label the first box you pack - 1st box (and description, i.e., knick knacks living room).  Label the last box you pack - last box (this will be the box you'll probably want first when you get to where you're going) probably.  
• If you are using a packing service, some of the above still applies.  I'm gonna have to have a whole separate thing on what to do when movers help because I'm pretty sure you don't want to unwrap a big box at the other end and find out it's your garbage can (filled with rotting garbage).  Yes folks, it has been done.  

Packing first things first

I think because I haven't finished my advice on moving, I have been cursed by the powers that be.  I am having to move ... Again.  And so let us continue.  It is important to pack the non-essential items first and so I begin with the knick knacks and the smaller wall hangings.  Grab one of your smaller moving boxes that you've collected.  If your box has been flattened, you will tape the bottom across the open seam and then criss cross the other way.  Come up the sides of your box a ways to assure sturdiness.   

Start with a larger knick knack item such as a clock, or two large-ish items, wrapping them in a towel and placing in the center of you box.  Use the rest of the space for smaller items.  Wrap each item in newspaper or whatever packing material you have.  Knick knacks are susceptible to breakage so wrap everything separately with the larger items on the bottom.  

I can double darn guarantee you that if you pack a heavy item (such as marble) with a fragile light item, the light item will get crushed and broken. I can also guarantee broken glass in picture frames if you pack frames that have glass in them with anything else.  Be sure and go through the house finding anything small and pack the box full-it's better if it's jammed full so that things can't shift around.  

A great way to pack up and keep safe your delicate, breakable items is to use small boxes like soap boxes or jello boxes.  You wrap your fragile item and put it in a small cardboard box and then put that in your packing box.   According to the number of knick knacks and small wall hangings you have chosen to keep, you will end up with several small boxes which you've taped shut and labeled: knick knacks living room ... And knick knacks family room, etc.  

There are a couple of different ideas I have for where to keep the boxes preparatory to moving day.  If you have a garage that you don't need to use, you could stack the boxes there.  However if you live in an area where there are bugs in the garage, there's the possibility they will get into your boxes and you will move them to your new home.  Another place to stack them is in a corner of your dining room or family room.  I like to stack them to the height of the dolly that the guys will be using.