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The first time I had to pack a china cabinet full of stemware, wine glasses, and champagne flutes was a terrifying experience. The crystal pieces were so delicately crafted that they seemed like something out of Cinderella's castle.

I watched my buddy load that dish pack onto the truck underneath a stack of other boxes. I couldn't help but feel anxious as he leaned in close to me, holding it for fear of tipping over and crashing into such fragile glassware.

It's been a few years since I learned how to pack stemware properly. It's reassuring knowing that you'll learn what works best after enough time dealing with the packing of these delicate items. Below are some essential tips from those who have done this for quite a while:

Using Dividers When Packing

• Purchase dividers: The dividers should be of the corresponding size. You may find that specialty packing supply stores are best for finding these types, but grocery and liquor stores often have a large stock of boxes with different sizes available to buy or request used bottle boxes as well! Finally, cardboard cells on their own can do just fine too - they're sold at office-supply shops around town, so look there first.

• Preparation: You'll need plenty of plain white or brown packing paper and tissue paper for wrapping up your glassware. Newspaper is a great option, but avoid using regular newspapers with printing to keep the ink from staining any pieces you might want to use in the future.

• Fill the globe: The glass should be filled with packing paper and stuffed to the brim. The interior of a thin-walled globe can easily crack if you push too hard on it from the inside out, so be cautious as you fill your creation!

• Turn the glass on its side: Put a few sheets of tissue paper on a table, then lay the glass on its side perpendicular to the corner of paper you laid out.

• Wrapping: Wrap two or three sheets of tissue around the glass, and then roll it forward, gently tucking the tissue over the globe and around the base until the glass is completely wrapped.

• Fold in the ends: Mold the excess paper to the globe and stem by gently folding it around it.

• Insert the Glass: Place the glass stem-first into the divider. An ideal fit is snug but not too firm. If the glass is loose in the cell, roll it up once more in paper and re-insert it.

Repeat with each glassware. Do not force anything inside dividers. Ensure there isn't too much space in any area by alternating small and large pieces as necessary.

Without Dividers When Packing

There are a few hacks to protect your precious belongings without dividers at your disposal. One way is by using socks. You can place glasses or small cups inside the sock, then put them in an envelope for safety from breaking while shipping. Another option: use paper and other materials as padding so that fragile items don't bump against each other too hard during transit.

Generally, one of the best solutions for protecting your glassware is using alternative garments you may already have. Some examples include:

• Newspapers/Magazines.

• Packing paper.

• Blankets.

• Towels.

• Bedsheets.

• Old clothes.