9 Steps to Packing Fragiles

For this example, I'm going to pack a wine decanter. This decanter was a gift from my parents-in-law and comes from Germany. It's one of my favorite pieces, so I'm going to be extra careful in wrapping it.

Because of its irregular shape and protruding crystal handle, protecting it from bumps and shifting during the move is critical.

Gather all the supplies you're going to need. Make sure you have lots of bubble wrap, tape, a large piece of sturdy cardboard and a box strong enough to hold your glassware.

Give yourself plenty of room to work and if possible, work on the floor. Working with fragile glassware on table surfaces can sometimes scratch or if you're not careful, be knocked to the floor.

Load your tape gun with sealing tape and tape the bottom flaps of the box securely. For extra protection against breakage, tape it twice, then tape the bottom flaps along the inside seam.

The tape is fairly inexpensive, so don't be shy using it. Although most manufacturer's claim that one strip is sufficient, I usually like to play it safe, especially with fragile kitchen items.

Place the item on a large piece of strong, but pliable cardboard. Leave two to three inches around the perimeter of your object to allow for a tight, yet firm seal. Make sure you double the size of your object to allow the object to be rolled up.

If you've purchased pre-cut cardboard, two pieces will also suffice. Just make sure the pieces are large enough to accommodate the item, while still allowing the cardboard to wrap around it.

Cut the cardboard to size by following the layout you marked in the previous step.

If you purchased cardboard that isn't very pliable, you may have a hard time cutting it. Try using a Xacto knife or similar blade; otherwise, a sharp pair of scissors should do the job.

Unroll the bubble wrap and take a close look at it. You'll notice that there are two sides; one composed of bubbles and the other smooth and bubble-free.

Make sure you lay out the bubble wrap with the bubble side facing down. You want the smooth side directly next to the glass for ease of use. If you try placing the bubble-side next to the glass, you'll notice it sticks to the surface making it more difficult to work with.

To make clean-up of your glassware easier, purchase anti-static wrap as shown in the picture. This will keep unwanted dust, hair and other particles away from delicate surfaces.

Place the object on the bubble-wrap and slowly roll it up until the object is completely protected. Make sure ends and tops are covered well.

If you're using one large piece of cardboard, place the bubble-wrapped object at one end and roll it tightly. Make sure you keep a firm grip on it to ensure the object is well-protected and won't slip out the bottom.

If you opted to use two pieces of pre-cut cardboard, place the object on one piece, then cover it with the second, just like a sandwich!

Tape the cardboard ends securely by wrapping the tape gun around the circumference of the package several times.

The package should be so tightly wrapped that the object can't slip out. If it isn't, fasten cardboard around the top and bottom, then tape it well. For extra protection, wrap the entire package in another layer of bubble-wrap and securely tape both ends.

Your object is now fully protected against bumps and shifting. Place it in a box marked fragile, along with your other glassware and delicates.