If you’re rolling up your sleeves and doing some hands-on packing, the tips listed above are just right for you. By pacing yourself, you'll be more organized and the job won't be so overwhelming.

• To prevent small items from being lost or mistakenly thrown out with the packing paper, wrap small items in brightly-colored tissue paper, or in zip lock plastic bags before placing them in the box.
• On the top and front of each carton, write a general description of the contents and indicate the room from which it came (or which it will go into in your new home). Use different colored markers for each box; then, at your new house, hang colored paper of a corresponding color outside the room where you want the color-coded boxes to be delivered.
• Use only unprinted newsprint paper to wrap items. Regular newspapers are messy as the ink may run and stain your possessions.
• Use clean cartons designed for moving. Boxes obtained from grocery or liquor stores are not always clean, and may not withstand the weight of the items that you'll be putting in them. (Example : Diaper boxes are made to withstand the weight of diapers, not your bookshelf items and dishes. Also, their odd sizes tend to make loading more difficult.  If you choose to re-use boxes, Manage Your Move sells mask-out spray. This product covers the original makings on kraft boxes, leaving room for your proper labelling.
• Unpack breakables over the box you're taking them out of; that way, if you happen to drop an item, it will land on some packing material, thereby reducing its chance of breakage.

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