By starting your packing early you will obviously be putting items away that you will not be able to use again until you have completed your move. Therefore, you should start packing items that you know you will not need in the foreseeable future, and saving everyday items until last.

As a general rule you should start at the top of your house with the attic if you have one. Items that are in the attic are not usually regularly used so can be packed first without causing inconvenience at a later date. The attic will also be full of items that perhaps you haven't seen for years which can cause you to stop and reminisce over.

You should pack heavy items such as books in smaller boxes to make them easier to move. Avoid the temptation to fill up big boxes with lots of items such as CDs and DVDs. Although they are light individually, a large amount in one big box can be quite awkward to move. You may end up with lots of smaller boxes but these will generally be lighter to carry and will therefore make your move easier for those involved. Lighter boxes of course also mean less chance of anyone causing themselves any type of injury.

Pack each room, one at a time, and try and keep similiar items together. It may sound obvious but pack heavier items on the bottom of the box and lighter items on top. Wrap items individually and place in a box that's been lined with several layers of newspaper and a sheet of bubble wrap. Use clean tissue or wrapping paper for the first layer to prevent newspaper print leaving marks.

Take care to wrap breakables in newspaper or bubblewrap and clearly mark the box so that people know to take extra care with it. Pillows and blankets are also useful for wrapping valuables and protecting furniture prone to dents and scratches.

Also mark heavier boxes to warn those who go to lift them and so that they can be used as load bearing boxes when it comes to stacking. Pack important documents together, such as birth and marriage certificates, and keep them in a safe place. On each box, write a brief description of what is in it and to what room it will be going to in your new home. Your movers will then know what room to take to and you'll know what is so that you can find items once your move is complete and it comes to unpacking.