Best Way To Pack Pots And Pans? The 73 Top Answers

Read this section before packing and loading yourself. It is important that you understand which items you can and cannot ship. There are rules and regulations that apply to all movers to ensure safety. There are also things you shouldn’t pack yourself, for example you may need professionals to pack your exercise equipment properly. The following list is only a guide as to what not to pack. If you have specific questions, contact your mover.

When you move, not only do you have a lot of things to think about, but also a lot of things NOT to pack. If you are responsible for packing your belongings during your move, you must keep your safety and the safety of the moving truck and staff in mind.

Here are eleven things not to pack when moving. While some of these tips may sound obvious, many people have had to learn the hard way what not to pack. This advice will prevent you from making the same mistakes.

1. Household cleaners

When mixed with other chemicals in the back of the moving truck, household cleaners like bleach can give off dangerous fumes and even cause fires. Remember that temperatures in the bed of a moving truck can become very high in a short period of time. Such high temperatures can cause chemicals to turn into noxious or even deadly gases.

2. Lighter fluid

You should not pack lighter fluid as it is highly flammable. It could burn and burn on the back of a hot moving truck.

3. Fertilizer and weed killer

Do you have a green thumb? If you plan to pack away your gardening tools to load into the back of the moving truck, don’t add fertilizer or weed killer. Fertilizers and weed killers, like the substances listed above, are highly flammable and cannot be stored in hot conditions, especially during a long journey.

4. Perishables (moving the kitchen)

Food, plants and living beings should not be packed away and transported in a moving truck as they can die or spoil. Foods that you shouldn’t wrap include frozen foods, produce, opened food packages, and refrigerated foods. Sealed packages of dry food are probably fine.

5. Ammunition

This may sound obvious, but you shouldn’t ship ammo in the back of a moving truck. A fatal situation arises when the ammunition becomes hot. If you need to pack and transport ammunition, only do so in a cool, air-conditioned vehicle. Also, be sure to keep ammo separate from your firearms.

6. Car batteries

Car batteries are not suitable for transport in the back of a moving truck as they can leak and pose a fire hazard. In addition, leaking car batteries can cause injuries and burns to transport personnel.

7. Moving documents

You may need to refer to your moving documents at some point during your move, but there’s no way you’ll find them tucked away among dozens of boxes. In case a problem arises or you have a disagreement with your mover, it is handy for you to have your moving documents at hand.

8. Cash, wills, deeds, jewelry and other valuables

Do not pack your valuables in boxes that the moving truck will transport. There’s just no guarantee they won’t get lost or stolen, so to be on the safe side, take them with you.

9. Flammable, corrosive or explosive objects:

acid

gasoline poisons

charcoal

lighter fluid

fertilizer

colour

car battery

matches

nail polish

nail remover

bleaching

aerosols

Kerosene

pool chemicals

chemistry sets

Fireworks

Engine oil

thinner

weapons

ammonia

propane

10. Dispose of perishable goods

Such as food and plants that may die or spoil during transport. You should empty your fridge and freezer at least 24 hours before loading. Keep the appliance doors open to allow the appliance to dry out and prevent mold and odors from forming.

11. Items not accepted for carriage

Movers accept no responsibility if these items come into their possession without their knowledge. Although these items do not pose a physical threat, they can cause problems if your shipment is delayed or items go missing.

This can be avoided if all irreplaceable, sentimental items are carried along. For example:

Made a killer sandwich but don’t have a plate to serve? Then it’s time to order some dishes and plates! Seriously, dishes and cookware are some of the most popular items to ship. Well-known housewares companies like West Elm and Crate & Barrel have doubled their online activity and as a result, retail giants like them are shipping massive quantities of crockery and cookware every day. Whether you need to ship boxes to your new location across the country or start your own online business selling housewares, this guide will show you how to pack and ship dishes and cookware for shipping. Let’s get started (but you know…hopefully you don’t)!

Proper packaging of dishes and cookware for shipping

Dishes and cookware are some of the most fragile items you can ship. So a big part of shipping them properly is – you guessed it – packing them properly. Below we have listed some simple steps for you to follow:

Use a brand new corrugated box and line it with padding

First things first: You should pack your plates and cookware in a sturdy box, preferably one that has never been used. Make sure you find the smallest possible box that works for your particular set of items! The less space they have in the box, the less chance they have of breaking in transit.

Once you have received your box, the next step is to line the bottom with some cushioning material such as foam paper. Feel free to use as many sheets as you like; This helps absorb shock from sudden movements during transit and prevents ceramic tableware or glassware from breaking.

Pro Tip: You can purchase some corrugated boxes of all sizes on the ULINE website. If you don’t want to spend the extra money, you can also order free Priority Mail Boxes from the USPS website…but these boxes tend to be small and may not have enough space for all your dishes.

Wrap each dish and cookware in several layers of newspaper or foam paper

Remember those foam paper sheets we just talked about? It’s time to get those out again – this time to individually wrap each dish or cookware. You can also use bubble wrap to insulate your items (and you can also order rolls of bubble wrap through ULINE). This is an even better option if you can swing it…but whichever option you choose, wrap each dish or plate at least a few times, then tape the wrapping material together to keep your item in place out of here.

If you don’t have foam paper or bubble wrap, newspaper will do too! It’s a classic moving tactic, after all…because it absolutely works!

Pack your dishes vertically and side by side

Here’s an inside trick from veteran pottery suppliers that most people get wrong: don’t stack your plates on top of each other! Instead, pack them vertically and side-by-side, like you’re putting books on a shelf. This way each plate in your pack only supports its own weight and not the weight of the entire stack. You just need to add extra padding material on the bottom of the box, which we’ll cover in the next section.

Add even more packaging material to fill out the box

Finally, once your dishes are fully packed in your crate, fill in the extra space between and around the plates with extra packing material that will cushion your items and keep them from moving. Stuffing in extra sheets of foam is a good option here, as is adding other “space fillers” like packing peanuts or bubble wrap. The more packing material you can pack in your box, the better for you!

A good test to see if you’ve packed your box well enough is to pick it up, shake it slightly and turn it over a few times. If you don’t hear or feel anything moving inside, you’re good to go! When you do, it’s time to get back inside and add more packing material to fill the extra space inside.

Choose the cheapest shipping service provider

Dishes and cookware packages tend to be quite heavy, especially when the dishes are made of porcelain, earthenware, or one of those fancy types of ceramics. However, it’s common for these shipments to also be on the smaller side, fitting in many of the free USPS Priority Mail boxes. As a result, you have two solid options to choose from from the big three carriers: USPS and UPS.

As a general rule of thumb, if you use shipping software to buy postage online (more on that in the next), Priority Mail will outprice UPS services a little over half the time, and they’ll also have you covered with $100 insurance Section). .

UPS, on the other hand, is best for larger, heavier shipments… and the thing is, some packages of dishes and plates can weigh a significant amount. So if your box is on the larger side UPS is probably your best bet and the cheapest service they offer is UPS Ground. All UPS labels also come with $100 of insurance — which they call “carrier liability” — so no matter which of the two carriers you ultimately decide to use, you’re protected with a small amount of coverage . At the end of the day, it’s up to you to rate the shop and find out which carrier offers the cheaper services!

Learn more about the differences between USPS and UPS insurance.

Use online shipping software to save the most money on your labels

As with shipping literally everything under the sun, you should never pay the retail price for your labels. Do not go to the post office, UPS store, or your local FedEx shipping center. Instead, use shipping software to buy discounted shipping rates online. When you use shipping software, you can not only buy and print your own labels at home. You also get access to special shipping discounts reserved for carriers only for large shippers, such as: B. USPS Commercial Pricing. Think of it like buying labels wholesale; In some cases you can even save up to 89% of the price you would pay to send the same package at the post office!

Here’s an added bonus: with most shipping software options, you don’t even have to worry about choosing the cheapest carrier…many of these companies will do all the leg work for you and present you with all your options. All you have to do is enter your recipient and package information (weight, dimensions, etc.) and you’ll see all the available services in one easy-to-read list to choose from. At this point, it’s up to you to choose the service that you think is best.

Finally, purchasing labels with shipping software not only saves you more money than you thought possible, it also saves you time by having the ability to schedule pickups from your favorite carrier. Forget going to your local post office or UPS store… you can have USPS and UPS come right to your door to pick up your packages! Pretty sweet deal, right?

Don’t forget to insure your shipment

We’ve said it countless times throughout this guide, and we’ll say it again: Dishes and cookware are some of the most fragile items you can ship. So if the insurance you get from either USPS or UPS isn’t enough to cover the full value of your shipment, you should consider protecting your package with shipping insurance. The good news is that when using shipping software, you can always purchase additional insurance once you enter your shipping information. Just be aware before you buy and print your label!

Purchasing shipping insurance allows you to declare a value for your shipment in excess of $100 and you can claim the full amount in the event of a lost or damaged package. Trust us when we tell you, shipments with damaged content are more common than you might think. So when it comes to shipping sensitive items, it’s almost always worth spending the extra few bucks… just to have that peace of mind.

Looking for the right shipping software for you?

To save the most money on shipping labels, check out our guide:

Choose the best shipping software

Grab a baking sheet and get to work!

Hoisin Sriracha Sheet-Pan Chicken The convenience and simplicity of this chicken dinner is what makes it particularly great. Feel free to switch up the veggies year-round – the sticky-spicy-sweet sauce goes great with anything!! —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland About the Recipe The convenience and simplicity of this chicken dinner is what makes it so special. Feel free to switch up the veggies year-round – the sticky-spicy-sweet sauce goes great with anything!! —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Cinnamon Twirl Roly-Poly My whole house smells amazing when this cake is in the oven. Change it up with other extracts – maple is heavenly. —Holly Balzer-Harz, Malone, New York About the recipe My whole house smells incredible when this cake is in the oven. Change it up with other extracts – maple is heavenly. – Holly Balzer-Harz, Malone, New York

Peanut Butter Chippers The smell of peanut butter and chocolate always brings my cookie-hungry family into the kitchen. The recipe is so quick and easy that I often stir a batch while I’m making dinner. —Pat Doerflinger, Centerview, Missouri About the recipe The smell of peanut butter and chocolate always brings my cookie-hungry family into the kitchen. The recipe is so quick and easy that I often stir a batch while I’m making dinner. – Pat Doerflinger, Centerview, Missouri

Chicken Provolone Chicken provolone, while one of my easiest dishes, is one of my husband’s favorites. It’s easy to make and looks chic served on a dark plate with a garnish of fresh parsley or basil. Add some buttered pasta for an easy side dish. —Dawn Bryant, Thedford, Nebraska About the recipe While one of my easiest dishes, chicken provolone is one of my husband’s favorite dishes. It’s easy to make and looks chic served on a dark plate with a garnish of fresh parsley or basil. Add some buttered pasta for an easy side dish. – Dawn Bryant, Thedford, Nebraska

Taste of Home Trail Mix Cluster These delicious snacks make wonderful gifts, and while they look and taste like they came from an expensive chocolate shop, they couldn’t be more guilt-free. The dried fruits and nuts are heart-healthy and full of fiber. Bet you can’t eat just one! —Alina Niemi, Honolulu, Hawaii Get the Recipe These delicious snacks make wonderful gifts, and while they look and taste like they came from an expensive candy store, they couldn’t be more guilt-free. The dried fruits and nuts are heart-healthy and full of fiber. Bet you can’t eat just one! – Alina Niemi, Honolulu, Hawaii

Mini Zucchini Pizza Looking for low carb? This easy snack recipe is a fantastic way to satisfy your pizza cravings while giving up the usual carb-packed crust. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Go to recipe Looking for low carb food? This easy snack recipe is a fantastic way to satisfy your pizza cravings while giving up the usual carb-packed crust. —Flavour of the Home Test Kitchen

Apple Kolaches A home husband friend shared this recipe for a sweet fruit-filled pastry. My son, who isn’t a dessert fan, was disappointed when he came home to find his father had eaten the last kolache in the batch. —Ann Johnson, Evansville, Indiana About the recipe A home cook friend of mine shared this recipe for a sweet fruit-filled pastry. My son, who isn’t a dessert fan, was disappointed when he came home to find his father had eaten the last kolache in the batch. —Ann Johnson, Evansville, Indiana

Crispy Fish & Chips A British pub classic becomes the crown jewel when you add horseradish, panko and Worcestershire. You can also try it with white fish such as cod or haddock. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin About the recipe A British pub classic becomes a crown jewel when you add horseradish, panko and Worcestershire. You can also try it with white fish such as cod or haddock. – Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Ginger Plum Tart Put an end to those sweet cravings: this free-form plum tart is ready in just 35 minutes. It’s especially great when served warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Go to Recipe Sweet cravings over, this free-form plum cake is ready in just 35 minutes. It’s especially great when served warm. —Flavour of the Home Test Kitchen

First Place Coconut Macaroons These Coconut Macaroons Cookies earned me first place at the county fair. They remain my husband’s favorites – whenever I make them for gifts he always asks me where his batch is! I especially like the fact that this recipe makes a small batch that we can both munch on. —Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin Go to recipe They remain my husband’s favorites – whenever I make them for gifts he always asks me where his batch is! I especially like the fact that this recipe makes a small batch that we can both munch on. – Penny Ann Habeck, Shawano, Wisconsin

Pull-Apart Bacon Bread I stumbled upon this recipe while looking for something different to take to brunch. Boy am I glad I did! Everyone asked for the recipe and was surprised that it only took five ingredients. It’s the perfect treat to bake for an informal get-together. —Traci Collins, Cheyenne, Wyoming About the recipe I stumbled upon this recipe while looking for something different for brunch. Boy am I glad I did! Everyone asked for the recipe and was surprised that it only took five ingredients. It’s the perfect treat to bake for an informal get-together. – Traci Collins, Cheyenne, Wyoming

Taste of Home Raspberry Pistachio Thumbprints Thumbprint cookies are a Christmas classic, and I especially like my updated version with pistachios. The rich, buttery bites are not only delicious, but pretty enough to give as a gift – if you can manage to share! —Laura Murphy, Columbus, Mississippi About the recipe Thumbprint cookies are a holiday classic, and I especially like my updated version with pistachios. The rich, buttery bites are not only delicious, but pretty enough to give as a gift – if you can manage to share! – Laura Murphy, Columbus, Mississippi

Chicken Cordon Bleu Stromboli If chicken cordon bleu and stromboli were to have a baby, it would be this one. Serve with a mason jar or homemade alfredo sauce or classic mornay sauce, if desired. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida For the recipe If chicken cordon bleu and stromboli had a baby, this would be it. Serve with a mason jar or homemade alfredo sauce or classic mornay sauce, if desired. – Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Fla

Pistachio Cranberry Bark I picked up this rind recipe at a Christmas candy swap hosted by a woman in my Bible study group. My family, friends and I just think it’s divine. Even my dad, who is not into sweets, loves it. —Susan Wacek, Pleasanton, California About the recipe I picked up this bark recipe from a Christmas candy swap hosted by a woman in my Bible study group. My family, friends and I just think it’s divine. Even my dad, who is not into sweets, loves it. – Susan Wacek, Pleasanton, California

Taste of Home Pepperoni Pizza Baked Potatoes These delicious taters were an impromptu recipe I created from leftovers! It’s a true mashup menu that combines two dinner favorites into one super fun dish. —Dawn E. Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania About the recipe These delicious taters were an impromptu recipe I made from leftovers! It’s a true mashup menu that combines two dinner favorites into one super fun dish. – Dawn E. Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania

Gooey Caramel-Topped Gingersnaps Making these cookies is therapeutic for me. And they’re always popular at fundraisers. If you like, you can make variations by using different nuts. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri About the Recipe Making these cookies is therapeutic for me. And they’re always popular at fundraisers. If you like, you can make variations by using different nuts. – Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri

Taste of Home Mini Hot Browns Here’s my take on the famous Hot Brown Sandwich. Diners saddle up quickly for succulent slices of turkey and crispy bacon, stacked on toasted rye bread and then topped with a rich cheese sauce. —Annette Grahl, Midway, Kentucky About the Recipe Here’s my take on the famous Hot Brown Sandwich. Diners saddle up quickly for succulent slices of turkey and crispy bacon, stacked on toasted rye bread and then topped with a rich cheese sauce. – Annette Grahl, Midway, Kentucky

Pineapple Star Cookies I am grateful that my neighbor gave me this special recipe. When you see the cookies’ pretty shape and enjoy the pineapple filling and sweet frosting, you know they’re worth the effort. —Sarah Lukaszewicz, Batavia, New York About the recipe I’m grateful that my neighbor gave me this special recipe. When you see the cookies’ pretty shape and enjoy the pineapple filling and sweet frosting, you know they’re worth the effort. – Sarah Lukaszewicz, Batavia, New York

Tuscan Fish Packets My husband fishes a lot so I’m always looking for different ways to serve his catch. A professional chef was kind enough to share this recipe with me, and I played around with a few different vegetable combinations until I found the one my family liked best. —Kathy Morrow, Hubbard, Ohio About the recipe My husband fishes a lot, so I’m always looking for different ways to serve his catch. A professional chef was kind enough to share this recipe with me, and I played around with a few different vegetable combinations until I found the one my family liked best. – Kathy Morrow, Hubbard, Ohio

No-Knead Knot Rolls My mom, Velma Perkins, loved serving up these light, golden rolls growing up on our farm in Iowa. They’re especially nice because they don’t require kneading. The dough rises overnight in the fridge, so there’s little last-minute fuss to serve fresh warm rolls with every meal. —Toni Hilscher, Omaha, Nebraska About the recipe Growing up on our farm in Iowa, my mom, Velma Perkins, loved serving up these light, golden buns. They’re especially nice because they don’t require kneading. The dough rises overnight in the fridge, so there’s little last-minute fuss to serve fresh warm rolls with every meal. – Toni Hilscher, Omaha, Nebraska

Bohemian Kolaches I got this kolache recipe from my mother-in-law who got it from her mom! It was a standard treat in her family, made almost every week. Now I make these kolaches for my own family on special occasions. —Maxine Hron, Quincy, Illinois About the recipe This kolache recipe was given to me by my mother-in-law who got it from my mom! It was a standard treat in her family, made almost every week. Now I make these kolaches for my own family on special occasions. – Maxine Hron, Quincy, Illinois

Puff Pastries Though easy to make, these jam-filled pastries are just the thing for a holiday brunch spread. They were my dad’s favorites so the recipe will always be close to my heart. —Chellie Helmke, Jackson Center, Ohio Get the recipe While easy to make, these jam-filled baked goods are perfect for a holiday brunch. They were my dad’s favorites so the recipe will always be close to my heart. —Chellie Helmke, Jackson Center, Ohio

Rustic Caramel Apple Pie Like a no-pan apple pie, this delicious tart has a crispy crust that slices easily and a delicious caramel topping. —Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas About the recipe Like an apple pie without the pan, this delicious tart has a crispy crust that slices easily and a delicious caramel topping. – Betty Fulks, Onia, Arkansas

Sesame Wheat Braids When I first started making this bread, my husband and our six children loved it so much that I made it every day! I was thrilled when the judges at our county fair gave these braids both a blue ribbon and a Best of Show award! —Nancy Montgomery, Hartville, Ohio About the recipe When I first started making this bread, my husband and our six children loved it so much that I made it every day! I was thrilled when the judges at our county fair gave these braids both a blue ribbon and a Best of Show award! – Nancy Montgomery, Hartville, Ohio

Quick Ice Box Sandwiches Growing up in the US, my mom loved to make these cool, creamy treats because they’re so quick to make. Then I made them for my three kids.—Sandy Armijo, Naples, Italy About the recipe Growing up in the US, my mom loved to make these cool, creamy treats because they’re so quick to make. Then I made them for my three children. – Sandy Armijo, Naples, Italy

Fontina Asparagus Tart This lemony tart is loaded with Fontina cheese and fresh asparagus. It’s a breeze to make but looks really impressive. Be warned…your guests will vie for the last tasty piece. —Heidi Meek, Grand Rapids, Michigan Get the recipe This lemon tart is loaded with fontina cheese and fresh asparagus. It’s a breeze to make but looks really impressive. Be warned…your guests will vie for the last tasty piece. — Heidi Gentle, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hungarian Nut Buns It’s not officially a holiday until I make this treasured nut bun recipe from my husband’s grandmother. The apple and walnut filling is juicy, subtly sweet and aromatic. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan On the recipe It’s not officially a holiday until I make this treasured nut roll recipe from my husband’s grandmother. The apple and walnut filling is juicy, subtly sweet and aromatic. – Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan

Baked Parmesan Paned Squash Baked Yellow Squash is nice and crispy. You don’t have to flip the pieces, but keep an eye on them. — Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas Go to recipe Baked Yellow Squash is nice and crispy. You don’t have to flip the pieces, but keep an eye on them. — Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas

Meringue Kisses There’s a nice chocolaty surprise in these sweet kisses. They’re my husband’s first choice every Christmas.—Tami Henke, Lockport, Illinois About the recipe There’s a nice chocolatey surprise in these sweet kisses. They are my husband’s first choice every Christmas. – Tami Henke, Lockport, Illinois

Pigs in a Blanket These baked hot dog sandwiches will appeal to kids of all ages. Even my husband Allan admits to enjoying every bite! We like to dip them in ketchup and mustard. – Linda Young, Longmont, Colorado Get the recipe These baked hot dog sandwiches appeal to kids of all ages. Even my husband Allan admits to enjoying every bite! We like to dip them in ketchup and mustard. – Linda Young, Longmont, Colorado

Cinnamon Almond Brittle It just wouldn’t be Christmas at our house without this tried and true variant of the peanut brittle. Nobody believes how easy it is to make it! —Lynette Kleinschmidt, Litchfield, Minnesota About the recipe It just wouldn’t be Christmas at our house without this tried-and-true twist on peanut brittle. Nobody believes how easy it is to make it! – Lynette Kleinschmidt, Litchfield, Minnesota

Taste of Home Quick Calzones Leftover Meat Sauce makes a hearty calzone that tastes like it was made from scratch. Sprinkle the calzone with some parmesan. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen Go to Recipe Leftover meat sauce makes a hearty calzone that tastes like it was made from scratch. Sprinkle the calzone with some parmesan. —Flavour of the Home Test Kitchen

Easy Apple Strudel My family always loves when I make this wonderful dessert. Old-fashioned strudel was too thick and time-consuming, but this revamped classic is just as good. Tastes best warm out of the oven. —Joanie Fuson, Indianapolis, Indiana Go to recipe My family always loves it when I make this wonderful dessert. Old-fashioned strudel was too thick and time-consuming, but this revamped classic is just as good. Tastes best warm out of the oven. – Joanie Fuson, Indianapolis, Indiana

Beef Stuffed Potatoes This is a stuffed potato with a tasty twist. Teenagers like the flavor that the green chilies and cheese add. About the recipe This is a stuffed potato with a delicious twist. Teenagers like the flavor that the green chilies and cheese add.

Taste of Home Chocolate Lover’s Strawberry Shortcakes As a mom of four, I cherish shortcut recipes. This one uses chilled cookies, which gives me time for special touches like adding homemade whipped cream and hot fudge. —Melissa Haines, Valparaiso, Indiana Go to Recipe As a mother of four, I love recipes that use shortcuts. This one uses chilled cookies, which gives me time for special touches like adding homemade whipped cream and hot fudge. – Melissa Haines, Valparaiso, Indiana

Rustic Squash Tarts This recipe hides a big surprise. Flaky, rustic-looking pastry shells hold a sweet and tangy layer of pecan beneath the pumpkin slices. —Ann Marie Moch, Kintyre, ND About the recipe This recipe has a big surprise in store. Flaky, rustic-looking pastry shells hold a sweet and tangy layer of pecan beneath the pumpkin slices. —Ann Marie Moch, Kintyre, ND

Taste of Home Puff Pastry Chicken Bundles Chicken breasts rolled with spinach, herbed cream cheese and walnuts are a savory surprise in these golden puff pastry “packets”. I like to serve this elegant main dish when we have guests or celebrate a holiday or special occasion. -Brad Moritz, Limerick, Pennsylvania Get the recipe Chicken breasts rolled with spinach, herbed cream cheese, and walnuts are a savory surprise inside these golden puff pastry “packets.” I like to serve this elegant main dish when we have guests or celebrate a holiday or special occasion. -Brad Moritz, Limerick, Pennsylvania

Banana Cream Eclairs To surprise my banana loving family, I made this dessert for a reunion where it stood out from the usual fare. These special delicacies are impressive and delicious. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana About the recipe To surprise my banana-loving family, I made this dessert for a reunion where it stood out from the usual fare. These special delicacies are impressive and delicious. – Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana

Pecan Crusted Chicken Nuggets I loved chicken nuggets as a kid. This baked version is healthier than the original and a great meal for kids. — Haili Carroll, Valencia, California About the recipe As a kid, I loved chicken nuggets. This baked version is healthier than the original and a great meal for kids. – Haili Carroll, Valencia, California

Taste of Home Mushroom Bread Mom’s favorite party food was baked croissant dough filled with mushrooms and cheese. I borrowed their idea and served it with garlic butter or hot sauce. —Jenny Mikulich, Monticello, Illinois Go to Recipe Mom’s favorite party food included baked croissant dough stuffed with mushrooms and cheese. I borrowed their idea and served it with garlic butter or hot sauce. – Jenny Mikulich, Monticello, Illinois

Chicken Cordon Bleu in Pastry Baking chicken breasts in a flaky batter makes them juicy and delicious every time. This unusual dish is suitable for both family and guests. For the recipe, bake the chicken breasts in a fluffy batter so it’s juicy and delicious every time. This unusual dish is suitable for both family and guests.

Chocolate Chip Cranberry Scones My daughter started making these as a “healthy” alternative to cookies as we seem to like cookies of all kinds. I’ve never been able to eat just one so this recipe seemed perfect for us. —Nichole Jones, Idaho Falls, Idaho About the recipe My daughter started making these as a “healthy” alternative to cookies since we seem to love cookies of all kinds. I’ve never been able to eat just one so this recipe seemed perfect for us. – Nichole Jones, Idaho Falls, Idaho

Honey Challah I use these shiny, beautiful loaves of bread as the centerpiece of my spread. I love the honey flavor, but feel free to add chocolate chips, cinnamon, orange zest, or almonds. Leftover slices from this sweet challah recipe work well in bread pudding or on French toast. —Jennifer Newfield, Los Angeles, California About the recipe I use these shiny, beautiful breads as the centerpiece of my spread. I love the honey flavor, but feel free to add chocolate chips, cinnamon, orange zest, or almonds. Leftover slices from this sweet challah recipe work well in bread pudding or on French toast. – Jennifer Newfield, Los Angeles, California

Walnut Crusted Salmon Whenever I can get my hands on salmon at a good price, I always reach for this easy and delicious recipe. It’s also good served with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah About the recipe Whenever I can get salmon at a good price, I always turn to this easy and delicious recipe. It’s also good served with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. – Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

Peppermint Puff Pastry Sticks I wanted to impress my husband’s family with something you’d expect to find in a European bakery, and these chocolatey treats are what I came up with. The puff pastry melts in your mouth. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon On the recipe I wanted to impress my husband’s family with something you’d expect to find in a European bakery, and these chocolatey treats are what I came up with. The puff pastry melts in your mouth. – Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Chicken Potpie Galette with Cheddar Thyme Crust This gorgeous galette takes traditional chicken potpie and gives it a fun open-faced twist. The rich filling and flaky crust sprinkled with cheddar make it taste so homey. It’s nice for fall and winter dinners, but you can enjoy it anytime. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah About the recipe This gorgeous galette takes traditional chicken potpie and gives it a fun, open-faced twist. The rich filling and flaky crust sprinkled with cheddar make it taste so homey. It’s nice for fall and winter dinners, but you can enjoy it anytime. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Taste of Home Oatmeal Rolls Most people tell me what they like best about these rolls is that they are so moist. I like them because they’re easy to make, freeze well, and because I grew up eating oatmeal and still love it! —Jeanette Fuehring, Concordia, Missouri About the recipe Most people tell me what they like best about these buns is that they’re so moist. I like them because they’re easy to make, freeze well, and because I grew up eating oatmeal and still love it! – Jeanette Fuehring, Concordia, Missouri

Oven Parmesan Chips My husband and I avoid fried foods, but potatoes are part of our menu almost every day. These delicious potato slices become nice and crispy and give our dishes a nice touch. —Mary Lou Kelly, Scottdale, Pennsylvania About the recipe My husband and I avoid frying, but potatoes are part of our diet almost every day. These delicious potato slices become nice and crispy and give our dishes a nice touch. – Mary Lou Kelly, Scottdale, Pennsylvania

Gingersnap’s friends and neighbors look for these old-school cookies on the treats I make for them every holiday. Irresistible for dipping in milk, they bring back a nostalgic, tangy taste of Christmases past. —Elizabeth Flatt, Kelso, Washington About the recipe Friends and neighbors look for these old cookies on the trays of treats I make for them every holiday. Irresistible for dipping in milk, they bring back a nostalgic, tangy taste of Christmases past. – Elizabeth Flatt, Kelso, Washington

Better Than Fried Shrimp These crispy shrimp are a healthier alternative to fried varieties. Coating the shrimp in panko breadcrumbs, spraying them with cooking spray, and then baking them gives this appetizer great flavor without all the saturated fats and calories of deep frying. —Cher Schwartz, Ellisville, Missouri Get the recipe These crispy shrimp are a healthier alternative to fried varieties. Coating the shrimp in panko breadcrumbs, spraying them with cooking spray, and then baking them gives this appetizer great flavor without all the saturated fats and calories of deep frying. —Cher Schwartz, Ellisville, Missouri

Taste of Home Herbed Leek Tarts This flavorful, funky tart is a hit with our family and friends! —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin Get the recipe This hearty, funky cake is a hit with our family and friends! – Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin

Taste of Home Feather-Light Cookies I’ve usually used a jar as a cutter so the cookies are larger than average, and I’ve always baked a few extras to send home with the kids. They happily shared them and filled them with cheese or peanut butter and strawberry jam. —Eleanor Hill, Fresno, California About the recipe I usually used a glass cutter to make the cookies larger than average, and I always baked a few extras to send home with the kids. They happily shared them and filled them with cheese or peanut butter and strawberry jam. – Eleanor Hill, Fresno, California

Taste of Home Pumpkin Coffee Ring I make this delicious coffee cake with its creamy pumpkin filling for just about any holiday gathering, and everyone loves it. —Carol McCartney, Danville, Ohio For the recipe I make this delicious coffee cake with its creamy pumpkin filling for almost every holiday gathering and everyone loves it. – Carol McCartney, Danville, Ohio

Foil Wrapped Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya This hearty, filling dinner has all the flavors of an authentic jambalaya with little effort. The foil packets can be prepared a day in advance and cooked right before serving. These are also good on the grill! —Allison Stroud, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Get the Recipe This hearty, filling dinner has all the flavors of an authentic jambalaya with little effort. The foil packets can be prepared a day in advance and cooked right before serving. These are also good on the grill! – Allison Stroud, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Cherry Tomato & Basil Focaccia When I had 80 pounds of tomatoes, I got creative by incorporating them into my meals. Sometimes I cut this bread into squares to make sandwiches with fresh mozzarella cheese and charcuterie. —Katie Ferrier, Houston, Texas About the recipe When I had 80 pounds of tomatoes, I got creative by incorporating them into my meals. Sometimes I cut this bread into squares to make sandwiches with fresh mozzarella cheese and charcuterie. – Katie Ferrier, Houston, Texas

Pumpkin Ice Cream Roll This wonderfully light dessert is our Thanksgiving and Christmas stand-by. The hint of pumpkin and the refreshing ice cream make for a delicious after-dinner treat. —Gayle Lewis, Yucaipa, California Get the recipe This wonderfully light dessert is our Thanksgiving and Christmas staple. The hint of pumpkin and the refreshing ice cream make for a delicious after-dinner treat. – Gayle Lewis, Yucaipa, California

Nanny’s Fruitcake Cookies My grandmother used to make a holiday fruitcake. I turned her recipe into cookies that are perfect anytime, especially with a cup of tea. —Amanda Digges, South Windsor, Connecticut Go to Recipe My grandmother used to make a fruitcake for the holidays. Ich habe ihr Rezept in Kekse verwandelt, die jederzeit perfekt sind, besonders zu einer Tasse Tee. —Amanda Digges, South Windsor, Connecticut

Marokkanische gefüllte Pilze Koriander und Kreuzkümmel sind pikante Updates der bekannten gefüllten Pilze. Die Zugabe von Couscous macht sie sehr sättigend und lecker. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario Zum Rezept Koriander und Kreuzkümmel sind pikante Updates der bekannten gefüllten Pilze. Die Zugabe von Couscous macht sie sehr sättigend und lecker. – Raymonde Bourgeois, Hakenkreuz, Ontario

Kleine Schweine in einer Hängematte Schweine in einer Decke sind nicht nur für Kinder! Dijon und Camembert verwandeln diesen Kinderliebling in eine Version, die perfekt für Erwachsene ist. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado Zum Rezept gehen Schweine in einer Decke sind nicht nur etwas für Kinder! Dijon und Camembert verwandeln diesen Kinderliebling in eine Version, die perfekt für Erwachsene ist. —Crystal Schlüter, Northglenn, Colorado

Köstliche Mandelzöpfe Ähnlich einem Mandelhalbmond ist dieser Kaffeekuchen leicht und schuppig mit einem reichhaltigen Mandelkern. Es ist vielseitig, sodass Sie es zum Dessert, Frühstück oder Brunch servieren können. Es schmeckt, als käme es aus einer High-End-Bäckerei, aber abgepackter Blätterteig macht es einfach. —Gina Idone, Staten Island, New York Zum Rezept Ähnlich wie ein Mandelhalbmond ist dieser Kaffeekuchen leicht und schuppig mit einem reichhaltigen Mandelkern. Es ist vielseitig, sodass Sie es zum Dessert, Frühstück oder Brunch servieren können. Es schmeckt, als käme es aus einer High-End-Bäckerei, aber abgepackter Blätterteig macht es einfach. – Gina Idone, Staten Island, New York

Triple Citrus Scones Ich liebe den hellen und buttrigen Geschmack dieser zarten Scones mit Glasur, die einzieht. Servieren Sie sie mit einer leckeren Marmelade oder probieren Sie sie als Basis für einen Erdbeer-Shortcake. —Angela LeMoine, Howell, New Jersey Zum Rezept Ich liebe den hellen und buttrigen Geschmack dieser zarten Scones mit Glasur, die einzieht. Servieren Sie sie mit einer leckeren Marmelade oder probieren Sie sie als Basis für einen Erdbeer-Shortcake. – Angela LeMoine, Howell, New Jersey

Mediterrane Gebäck-Windrädchen Diese schnellen Vorspeisen sind unwiderstehlich. Die Aromen von sonnengetrockneten Tomaten und Pesto gleichen sich wunderbar aus. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York Zum Rezept Diese schnellen Vorspeisen sind unwiderstehlich. Die Aromen von sonnengetrockneten Tomaten und Pesto gleichen sich wunderbar aus. – Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

Rainbow Layered Cookies Wunderschön ausbalanciert an der süßen Stelle zwischen Kuchen und Keks, werden diese sensationellen Scheiben das Herzstück Ihres Kekstabletts sein.—Sherry Thompson, Seneca, South Carolina Zum Rezept Wunderbar ausbalanciert an der süßen Stelle zwischen Kuchen und Keks, diese sensationellen Scheiben werden das Herzstück Ihres Kekstabletts sein. – Sherry Thompson, Seneca, South Carolina

Haferbrötchen Diese weichen Brötchen sind nicht von dieser Welt. Die Zugabe von Hafer macht sie etwas herzhafter als andere Dinner Rolls. —Patricia Rutherford, Winchester, Illinois Zum Rezept Diese weichen Brötchen sind nicht von dieser Welt. Die Zugabe von Hafer macht sie etwas herzhafter als andere Dinner Rolls. – Patricia Rutherford, Winchester, Illinois

Super Chunky Cookies Schokoladenliebhaber werden verrückt nach diesen Keksen mit viel Schokolade! Wenn Freunde mich bitten, „diese Kekse“ zu machen, weiß ich genau, welches Rezept sie meinen. —Rebecca Jendry, Spring Branch, Texas Zum Rezept Schokoladenliebhaber werden verrückt nach diesen Keksen mit viel Schokolade! Wenn Freunde mich bitten, „diese Kekse“ zu machen, weiß ich genau, welches Rezept sie meinen. – Rebecca Jendry, Spring Branch, Texas

Italienisches Fleisch Stromboli Als zweifache Mutter habe ich anscheinend nur in der Küche Zeit für Kreativität. Ich habe ein ähnliches Rezept von einem Kollegen erhalten, entschied mich aber, Gemüse und Gewürze hinzuzufügen, um ihm meine eigene Note zu geben. —Denise Tutton, Ridgway, PA Zum Rezept Als Mutter von zwei Kindern scheine ich nur Zeit für Kreativität zu haben, wenn ich in der Küche bin. Ich habe ein ähnliches Rezept von einem Kollegen erhalten, entschied mich aber, Gemüse und Gewürze hinzuzufügen, um ihm meine eigene Note zu geben. – Denise Tutton, Ridgway, PA

Taste of Home Turkey Bundles Dieses Rezept ist definitiv ein Muss, und alles, was Sie tun, ist, cremige Truthahnfüllung in Hörnchenteig zu bündeln. Normalerweise verdopple ich das Rezept, damit ich am nächsten Tag etwas mehr zum Mittagessen habe. —Lydia Garrod, Tacoma, Washington Zum Rezept Dieses Rezept müssen Sie unbedingt ausprobieren, und alles, was Sie tun müssen, ist, die cremige Truthahnfüllung in Hörnchenteig zu packen. Normalerweise verdopple ich das Rezept, damit ich am nächsten Tag etwas mehr zum Mittagessen habe. – Lydia Garrod, Tacoma, Washington

Chocolate Gingersnaps Als meine Tochter Jennifer 15 Jahre alt war, kreierte sie dieses Rezept, um zwei ihrer Lieblingsaromen zu kombinieren. Sie passen perfekt zu einem Glas Milch. —Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah Go to Recipe When my daughter, Jennifer, was 15 years old, she created this recipe as a way to combine two of her favorite flavors. They’re perfect with a glass of milk. – Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah

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Packing paper versus bubble wrap: It’s a showdown

First round: protection of surfaces

Second round: protection of large objects

Third round: electronics

Bonus Round: The Environment

The Takeaway: And the winner is…

“Anna and the people at Guardian have been amazing. They operate a clean, new facility that is safe, well-lit, and easily accessible. We rented a unit from them to help declutter our home while we put it up for sale. Anna walked us through all of our storage options, guided us through the property and secured us a clean 10′ x 15′. We opted for an air-conditioned room. Even with the unit’s inward-facing entrance, access was easy. Guardian built his facility with wide corridors and doorways, and equipped each entrance with carts for loading and unloading items. During our home selling process, our basement was flooded in the 2013 Colorado flood. We moved everything from our house to the Guardian which stayed completely dry during the flood! Anna helped us find a second, smaller unit to accommodate some of our extra stuff. This unit was on a different part of the property but was just as nice as the first one we rented. Finally, after selling our home, we were able to come to an agreement with Guardian to allow movers access to our units while we completed our sale. Anna and Guardian Storage have really stood up for us in a time of need. I would recommend their superb, professionally run facility to anyone!”

Thank you so much! 🙂

justin

~ Justin Freeman

2. Bubble wrap

Bubble wrap is another great way to securely wrap your dishes, but it’s a bit more expensive and less environmentally friendly. If you don’t have wrapping paper, this would be the next best choice as it provides adequate protection for your items. For your dishes and plates, try to find the bubble wrap with small air bubbles as it can wrap the items better than those with large air bubbles.

Get bubble wrap from Amazon

3. Pillowcases

Chances are, like most people, pillowcases are plentiful in the linen closet. If you don’t have unprinted newspaper, you can use pillowcases to wrap and protect the dishes.

While this wouldn’t be the best way to protect your fragile items, if you don’t have unprinted newspaper or bubble wrap, this could be a good alternative and help you save money on your move.

4. Leaves

Similar to your pillowcases, Sheetz can protect your plates, dishes, and mugs, but make sure you provide enough padding between each item as sheets are thin and don’t provide much cushioning material. But if you’re in a bind and don’t have the right materials, or just want to be eco-friendly, this could work.

5. Towels

Towels are probably the most helpful item to pack your dishes when you don’t have wrapping paper, bubble wrap, or newspaper. Towels are thick and if you get it right you should be able to bundle 2 or 3 plates per towel.

Unlike pillowcases and sheets, towels actually provide enough padding between each item to protect them. They could also serve as great padding at the bottom of the boxes. Just make sure you don’t use a box that’s too big with the towel method, because if you pack the towels next to the dishes and plates, the boxes could become very heavy and impossible to move.

6. T-shirts

T-shirts are another item you can use to pack your dishes and plates. While you may only be able to pack one plate or bowl per shirt, it can still help protect your belongings.

7. Foam panels or trays

You can also buy styrofoam sheets and put a couple of sheets between each glass sheet to protect them. Although you would still need to bundle the sheets with something, these can come in handy if you don’t have wrapping paper or bubble wrap.

Get foam padding sheets on Amazon

8. Socks

Socks can also be used to protect champagne glasses or small glass cups. You would simply place the item inside the sock. Once in the box, it’s still a good idea to put some wrapping paper or other material between the items so they don’t press too tightly together.

How to properly pack your dishes with these materials

Packing your dishes starts with clearing a space to work. This can be your kitchen island, breakfast table or dining table.

Always use a tableware packing box when packing your tableware. Tableware packaging boxes are twice as thick as regular boxes and are designed to keep the items inside safe during transit.

Place a stack of opened wrapping paper on the surface to be worked. Here is a video of how to bundle the panels with the wrapping paper. You can also use the other materials instead of the wrapping paper. Just make sure the box is lined with a cushion at the bottom and the items inside are neatly and securely packed. Then line the top with more wrapping paper or protective material and close the box.

Other important tips for packing dishes and fragile items

Always pack your dishes vertically in the box. If you lay them flat, the weight of the harnesses on top of each other is likely to cause the harnesses to snap when the moving truck goes over bumps in the road.

Consider having your belongings packed by a professional moving company. While it may be a bit more expensive, once you’ve chosen the right moving company with a solid reputation, it gives you peace of mind that items are safe during transit.

Be sure to use enough packing material to wrap the items. The more the better. Several wrapping papers should be used for each bundle of plates.

plan ahead. Pack your entire house for a move

Packing the dishes without newspaper is actually recommended. Newsprint is not only hard to find these days, it can actually ruin your items by leaving ink behind. Also, always plan ahead when you move. Packing your entire home is a long and tedious task, but if you’ve blocked out time well before the move, you should be fine.

If you are moving in a hurry, wrapping paper is again the best thing to use. If you can’t get one, use your towels, sheets, clothes, and sheets.

related questions

What things do I pack first when moving? When moving, always pack the things you don’t use every day first. So the garage, guest room, cupboards, cellar, etc. Always pack the most important things separately, such as your recipes and other everyday items, even when you move.

Do I really have to use tableware packaging? Check out this article about dish pack boxes. We explain when you really need to use a pack of dishes and when you can just use a regular box. When you have expensive items or move long distances, using a harness pack is mostly recommended.

Of all the rooms to pack when moving, the kitchen is by far the most difficult. Aside from just a ton of stuff to pack, many of the items are irregularly shaped and/or fragile, and there’s usually an overwhelming amount of clutter that can throw even the most organized of packers off balance. Going into the kitchen without a plan is one of the biggest moving mistakes, but with a little forethought and ingenuity, you can simplify the kitchen packing process and tackle it like a pro. How to pack a kitchen without losing your mind.

Step one: get organized

Just like any other room in your house, go through it and get out the items you no longer want or need before you start packing. Moving is the best time to tidy up your belongings and lighten your load, so take a moment to separate the things that don’t serve a purpose for you. This can be especially tricky in the kitchen, as there’s always that voice saying that you might want to use that crème brûlée set someday, even if you’ve never used it before. But if you’ve had it for more than a year and have never taken it out of the box, you probably won’t.

Kitchen items that are in good condition can be donated to friends and family, or to a thrift store run by a local charity like Goodwill. You can also check with local food banks or soup kitchens if they want them.

Step Two: Gather Your Materials

To pack a kitchen, you’ll need sturdy boxes of various sizes, along with wrapping paper, tape, and labeling pens. To make things easier for yourself, you should also buy special dividers specifically designed for packing and stacking difficult items like stemmed glasses. Also, get some plastic wrap (the kind you’d use to wrap leftovers is fine), which is helpful for keeping stacked items together and preventing them from sliding around.

A good rule of thumb for sourcing kitchen packaging supplies is that you probably need more than you think. For a family-size kitchen, plan on about five small boxes, ten medium boxes, five large boxes, three extra-large boxes, and about three rolls of wrapping paper (four to five pounds total). You may have to return to the store, but this is a good amount of supplies to start with.

Step Three: Find out what you need

You don’t want to pack up your whole kitchen only to realize you didn’t leave yourself any forks for dinner that night. Set aside (or at least make a mental note) the kitchen essentials you’ll want to have on hand before and after you move. Each family member needs a plate, cup and cutlery set, and you should keep a few bowls away as well. Make sure you also have a dish towel, washing up liquid, a sponge (just throw it away when you move out) and any equipment you need to have handy when packing such as a washing machine. B. your coffee maker. These can be packed separately in a box with kitchen utensils on the day of your departure.

Step Four: Start Anywhere, Anywhere

Each cupboard and drawer in the kitchen presents its own packing difficulties, but they all need to be taken care of, so just pick one and get started. Clear an area of ​​your countertop to spread out your wrapping paper and get to work.

For pots and pans: Use a large or medium cardboard box and stack pots and pans so that the smaller ones are nested inside the larger ones with a small piece of brown paper between them. Make sure you support your pots and pans by stuffing paper or tea towels in the openings to keep them from moving during transport. Glass lids should be wrapped in brown paper and placed around the pots and pans or in a separate box.

For glasses and stemmed glasses: It is best to use special dividers that fit in standard boxes. Even though your glassware is better protected inside dividers than outside, you should still wrap each item in brown paper. Don’t stack anything on top of your jars, even if there’s still room in the crate. Glass is too fragile to carry much additional weight.

For Plates and Bowls: Stack plates and bowls for easy packing. If the materials are fragile, wrap each item before stacking; Otherwise, you can just put a piece of wrapping paper in between. Keep stacks together by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap. Use the space around your plates and bowls to store small items.

FOR CUTLERY AND SERVING UTENSILS: For the easiest way to wrap cutlery, simply use plastic wrap to wrap the tray and then lay flat in a box. You can then place other serving utensils on top, either loose or wrapped in some brown paper (if they’re delicate).

For knives: Roll each knife in a full sheet of wrapping paper, then wrap a tea towel around it and secure with a rubber band. Pack knives on their sides – never up.

For groceries: tackle the spice cabinet first and use a small box to keep all your spices safe. Place a small piece of wrapping paper around all the spices in jars. Then move on to your pantry. Discard anything that has expired, and if you have items that are unopened or expired but you no longer want them, add them to your donation pile to be delivered to a local charity. For the rest of the items, make sure everything is sealed well, and then pack them in either a medium box or canvas grocery bags. Use a cooler for transporting perishable goods from the fridge and pantry. When you’re moving long distances, you probably just want to throw away any perishables before you leave.

For devices: If you have the original boxes for your devices, that’s ideal, but if you don’t, that’s fine too. Pack small devices in the smallest possible box. Use wrapping paper to secure them fully inside the box, filling in any gaps around them to prevent shifting. If you’re also bringing your larger appliances, your mover will want you to prep them in advance by unplugging them, removing all hoses, and taping all doors shut. Learn more about moving large equipment here.

Everything Else: Pack your other kitchen essentials — like mixing bowls, cookbooks, baking sheets, oven mitts, and storage containers — just like you would pack items from any other room. Keep similar items together to make unpacking a little easier, and make sure no box is too heavy.

Packing up your kitchen takes time, so give yourself at least a few days and ask for a few helping hands if you can. Pack your box of essentials last and label them clearly (better yet, bring them in the car, not the moving truck) so you have easy access to those items when you arrive at your new home. When you’re done, pat yourself on the back for making it happen. Now all you have to do is unpack the kitchen and hope you don’t have to repack it anytime soon.