So, we're moving house next week and haven't started packing yet. Any tips?

[PeachesMcLean]

On one hand it all seems a bit daunting and on the other I think we can chill out. After all, we've got the weekend, and it's only a 2 bed house we've got.

Anyone got any top packing tips? Advice?

Start clearing out and throwing away any clutter now.

Pack one box with essential stuff and keep it handy...things like kettle, mugs, tea bags, etc. (write a list of what you want in it before you do it else you'll forget something!)

Depends how much stuff you have. I find trying to sort and pack is my downfall. Takes far too long. So another approach would be to do it like the professionals, and just start in one corner of the room and pack everything you see working your way round. And don't get distracted! Good luck!

See norma, isn't that just the last box you pack? ie, we're moving next Thursday (fingers crossed). So, Thursday morning, I'll still need the kettle, toothbrushes etc. Were there things in your esssentials box that didn't fall into that?

my top tip is turn the computer off and get cracking!!!!! it will always take longer than you anticipate!!!!!!

Not Turning Computer Off. Would rather sit here talking about it rather than doing!

And, at least in my case, everything takes much longer than you think so perhaps you should get underway? Will make things much less stressful if you're not manic at the end.

Clearly a woman who know's her packing then, Cali. I think I've been Good too, in that as it's such a small house, with very little storage, we've been quite good about getting rid of the crap. Lots of Freecycling. In fact, I wonder if I've over-freecycled and there are things I should have sold... but that's another story. And although the shed and the cupboard under the stairs are full, I THINK it's all useful stuff (mostly camping gear actually.)

Talking of which, how much would you put in boxes. Some of it - the cooker etc is in its own box. And sleeping bags. Do you put them in boxes???

Dont forget outside stuff - sheds,garden furniture,pots,hanging baskets etc.
Don't fill boxes with books or china- you wont be able to lift them- fill half way then top up with cushions or other light items.
Pack up a set of clean bed linen in a box you can find easily so you can make up beds when you get there.
Tape leads and remote controls to the item in question.
Start now.Professional packers would get through a two bed house in a few hours but you won't. You will get distracted by things you find and other jobs.
think about any items of furniture that might need dismantling -it took us an hour just to get our bed apart and down the stairs.

Ah well it was a bit different for me cos we were moving from rented to owned iyswim and had an overlap so we moved stuff gradually.

Can think of the following:

Things to cook with on first day/eat off/cutlery etc.

Extension lead/4way socket thing

Pens (i don't know why but dh seems to remember we needed one )

Professionl packers? Part and part at the prospect of transporting it all in a crate.

pssst, we're moving to near Heath Park. I suspect you might remember it Cali.

Can I join this thread, I'm moving, as soon as I can get my arse in gear and move! lol
House ready to move into on Fri, but have until 1st Sept to leave current place. So am being very lazy and laid back about it all really.
Have made a half hearted attempt at sorting some things, havn't even thought about packing yet

Really need to get moving!

Black bags. Lots of them.

Hi BVVB, but you've got tons of time!!! Certainly enough to think about decluttering if you haven't already. Very jealous about having a bit of space between having the new place and having to leave the old.

Cali, we'll be about 100 yards from the park, if that. Can't wait, can't wait. Have lived in a grotty treeless victorian terraced hell for too long and go into a revery at the thought of real trees outside...

Certainly some top tips here, keep them coming!

Ahhh but my place is an absolute tip..its gonna take me forever to sort everything I know it. I just can't face it, dunno where to start!

I've done this at least a dozen times.

My top packing tip is bin liners. Big ones.

They do for all the clothes. Double bag.

Use compostable ones and feel better about yourself.

Once you start packing you'll be amazed at how much stuff you've got. Moving day will be hell, but the earlier you start packing the less hellish it will be. i've done this so many times now, and always leave it too late and end up having a nightmarish time because there's too much to do a too little time.

Aaaaaah, we've had a stay of execution on the moving. Won't be next week now, probably week after.

So that's two weekends to go! Might go camping now this weekend...

No....get sorting and packing. My top tip is to pack gradually so that you have nothing left to move on the Big Move Day.

Well, we've finally started (at long last, moving definitely on Thursday) and my top tip, for future reference, is do not underestimate how many boxes you'll need and plan in advance how you'll get more if you run out. Argos charge £60 for 23 boxes of unimpressive size! And lovely Freecyclers will give them away for nowt