Ornaments are some of the trickiest items to pack because they’re usually fragile, oddly shaped, and hold sentimental value. The good news is that a little prep work goes a long way in keeping them safe during your move. American Fork’s reliable movers often see damaged decorations that could’ve been saved with better packing techniques. This guide covers everything from choosing the right materials to organizing your boxes for a stress-free unpack. Follow these steps, and your ornaments should arrive at your new place in one piece.
Choose the Right Packing Materials
Start by grabbing sturdy boxes in a few different sizes so you can match them to your ornaments. Bubble wrap is your best friend here; use it generously on anything breakable. Packing paper or tissue paper works great for filling gaps in boxes and keeping items from shifting. If you have especially delicate ornaments, grab some dividers or small compartments to give each piece its own protected space. Label every box with what’s inside and slap a “fragile” sticker on it so nobody tosses it around during the move.
Secure Fragile Ornaments Properly
Wrap each delicate ornament in bubble wrap before it goes anywhere near a box. Make sure all sides are covered, then tape the wrap in place so it stays put. Place the wrapped ornament into a sturdy box and check that it fits snugly, with no excess wiggle room. If there’s extra space, stuff it with packing paper or foam peanuts to keep things from sliding during transit. Mark the box as fragile so anyone handling it knows to take it easy.
Organize Ornaments by Size and Type
Once everything’s wrapped, sort your ornaments before boxing them up. This makes unpacking way easier and helps prevent damage on the road.
- Sort by Size: Group your ornaments into small, medium, and large so they fit properly in the right boxes.
- Group by Type: Keep similar items together, glass pieces with glass, fabric ornaments with fabric, and so on.
- Use Dividers: Cardboard dividers or compartments inside boxes stop ornaments from bumping into each other.
Taking a few extra minutes to organize now saves you headaches later when you’re unpacking in your new home.
Label Boxes for Easy Identification
Write a short description on each box so you know exactly what’s inside without opening it. Something like “glass ball ornaments” or “wooden figurines” works fine. You can also number your boxes and keep a separate list with more details if you want to get organized. This helps you find specific ornaments quickly and reminds you which boxes need extra care. A well-labeled box makes the whole unpacking process smoother.
Pack Ornaments in Layers for Protection
Layering is one of the best ways to keep ornaments from breaking during a move. Instead of tossing everything into one box, build it up layer by layer with padding in between.
- Wrap Each Ornament Individually: Use tissue paper or bubble wrap on every single piece before it goes in the box.
- Add Cushioning Material Between Layers: Put a layer of packing peanuts or crumpled paper between each row of ornaments.
- Fill Empty Spaces in the Box: Stuff any gaps with extra packing material so nothing shifts around.
This method keeps your ornaments from knocking into each other and absorbs any bumps along the way.
Consider Using Specialty Ornament Storage Boxes
If you want to make things even easier, pick up some specialty ornament storage boxes. These come with built-in compartments that hold each ornament in place, reducing the risk of damage during the move. The sturdy walls protect against bumps and drops, and the separate slots keep pieces from scratching each other. It’s a small investment that pays off if you’ve got a lot of fragile or valuable decorations. Your ornaments will arrive at your new home ready to hang.
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