It's a terrible feeling to be unpacking a box and hearing something inside that's broken. If you follow these simple instructions, you'll be able to make the move without any damage to your special items.

China Plates - To begin put a 3-4 inches of clean packing paper on the bottom of the container. Wrap each plate in two or three sheets of packing paper and stack three or four plates together. Then wrap each stack with another two or three sheets of packing paper.

When you put the each stack of plates in the container put them on their edge so that they are vertical. Make sure that they stay tight and firm. If you have room left on one end, use another piece such as a gravy boat or bowl to hold it all in place. Use lots of crushed paper on the top and the sides so that everything is tightly in place. You don't want these things to shift during the move.

if you have room in your box for another layer of China, put in the larger pieces making sure that they are wrapped in enough paper so that they will remain motionless during the move. When the box is full tape it shut and mark it clearly with the word FRAGILE!

Bowls and Cups - Cups should be wrapped individually and placed upside down with their handles pointing to the inside of the box. Be sure to put lots of packing in between them so that they don't bump into each other during the move. If possible, put the cups on the top layer of the box.

Larger bowls should be wrapped and nested into each other and packed upside down. Smaller bowls may be handled the same as cups. To save space, smaller items may be packed inside bowls, canisters, etc. Sugar bowl lids should be wrapped in tissue paper and placed upside down on top of the bowl. The bowl should then be wrapped in 2 sheets of paper.

Fragile Glasses, Stemware and Figurines - Wrap these items individually and pack them in celled cartons wherever possible. Protect them with plenty of bubble wrap. Use colored tissue paper to wrap figurines and small items to avoid throwing them out by mistake.

Silverware and Stainless Steel Flatware - Wrap silverware individually in paper with a low sulfur content or in clear plastic to prevent scratching and tarnishing. Put the pieces in your silver chest and pad it well. Wrap the chest in paper or a large towel and place it at the bottom of a box or carton. Stainless steel flatware will not require any special packing paper. Simply wrap individually or in sets. Other large silver pieces should be wrapped in clear plastic and then in clean paper. Pad well for packing.

Following all of these instructions will certainly help your China arrive to your new home in one piece. However, for insurance, write the word 'FRAGILE' in BIG letters on all your boxes! Good luck.