If you decide to tackle the job of packing for yourself, here are a few tips that are bound to make things go smoothly.

Pack like with like. Don't pack delicate items in a box with items     that could damage them.

Grandma's antique tea set and Junior's computer don't really go     that well together.

Cover any sharp edges of your larger items (table corners etc.) so     that they do not damage other items.( A rag with a rubber band or some sort of elastic works     well for this.)

Wrap items in clean paper. Use newspaper for cushioning only, because newspaper ink can     damage your delicate items (like china).

Place crushed paper or other Styrofoam “peanuts” in the bottom of cartons for cushioning.

Keep the heaviest items on the bottom and the lighter items on top, both in individual boxes     and in general. No matter how strong your coffee table is, chances are it won't hold the weight     of your big screen TV.

Seal cartons tightly with tape whenever possible.

Develop a system to catalog the boxes. You might give each box a number and keep a list of     the items in that box in a notebook. Or even do something as simple as write the actual room     each box will have to go in. Once those boxes are sealed, if the boxes are unmarked, your     memory  will inevitably fail you. Why leave it to chance?

Use this system to let your movers know which box needs to go in which room upon arrival.

Wind electrical cords, fastening them so they do not dangle. Many errant electrical chords have     caused the demise of a beloved lamp or computer.

Empty out your drawers completely, especially of items that could cause damage when in     contact with other possessions.

Fill in empty spaces between your heavy and light layers with crushed paper or other     cushioning.

For very small and fragile items, pack a small box inside a larger box with paper or other     cushioning in between the boxes.

Try hard not to separate items that belong together. Any pairs or sets of items should go     together and any screws, nuts or bolts that will be used to reassemble a larger item should be     placed with an item, clearly labeled and well sealed.

Fill your boxes completely but try to limit their weight to 50 lb.. Use cushioning to achieve this.