Even if you're moving locally and plan to move most of your stuff yourself, it's a good idea to hire a moving service to help you with the big items. It's easier than stressing yourself out, and you'll only have to pay for a few hours worth of work.

Most moving services will ask you to pack your own items. Be sure to do so in reverse order of density, so that your heavier items are on the bottom of the box. Not only does this ensure less likelihood of damage, it makes the boxes themselves more stable.

Unless all your dishes are plastic, you'll want to be sure to exercise care when packing them. They should all be individually wrapped to minimize breakage. The heavier items should go into smaller boxes, particularly if they're especially fragile.