In the picture is a metal canister that contains a Republic of Tea that we like to drink, a Gerber formula box and a container for Swiffer Sweeper Wet Mop refills. These are all great answers to storage issues. All you have to do is remove the labels and - ta dah! - you have some great storage boxes that did not cost you one extra dime.
The Gerber box and the Swiffer box are excellent to use because they are flat on top and you can easily stack them on shelves. These are wonderful for storing craft items, small pieces to children's toys and even to use in your husband's workshop or garage. You could use a marker or printed label on each one so that you know what it contains. You could also use the Swiffer box to store crayons, scissors, glue, markers, etc. - perfect for a children's art box.
Another possible use for these would be to wrap gifts in. Just add some paper and a ribbon and you have a box saved from eternity in a landfill and potential storage all at the same time.
If you feel really creative and industrious, there are a million different ways to decorate these boxes to "jazz" them up a bit. Think what you could do with some Modge Podge and tissue paper or fabric. Perhaps one of these decorated boxes would be perfect to hold gifts you make for giving. There are endless options here.
I happen to have glue sticks and a glue gun stored in this Swiffer box and it is so handy when using hot glue because it sits flat, it's stable and the lid snaps off and on easily, and I can remove one stick at a time as needed. Make sure your glue gun is cool before putting it back in the box. There are jewelry and hair findings in the formula box and beads in the tin. The tin has a tight fitting lid which is really great for storing beads because it doesn't pop off easily. It would also be good to use for button storage or anything else you can think of. Teachers, think of all the possibilities for art projects and storage!
Every time you purchase a product, look at the package and consider uses for it - especially if it is metal or plastic with a good lid. The possibilities are endless, it can save you a lot of money and our planet will love us for making use of it and not tossing it in the landfill. It's time to start thinking!
Everyday Donna
Things to Remember:
Always think outside the box! Many inventions and discoveries happen that way.
