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I Simply Remember My Favorite Things: Stocking Stuffers

Monday, December 21st, 2009

We still have four days to shop before Christmas. I told my husband this morning I had to pick up a couple more things. His reply was, “Don’t get any large items, we have to fit luggage into the car yet!” We are heading for VA to watch grandchildren open presents on Friday.  Woo hoo!

In case you are still trying to come up with things for stocking stuffers, these are a few of my favorite things:

  1. Mead 4″ X 6″ faux leather address book:  I keep mine next to my computer to record all those annoying passwords every site needs. Keeps info     alphabetical and handy, so I can toss it in a suitcase to use on vacation if necessary. Found this treasure at Odd Lots for $2.99.
  2. Good Grips Mag Tacks: This gift means never having to say you’re sorry you put holes in your favorite photos. Can be used as simple pushpin, or a pin with magnet on top.   $6.99 at Container Store.

  3. Mini Magnet Strips: This gift puts versatile mini-storage on any wall. The possibilities of what to stick to these are endless. Use for an art rack, photo holder, or to contain little things with the next gift suggestion. On sale for $3.99 at Container Store
  4. See & Store Containers:  Perfect magnetic storage for office supplies, beads, or even spices. 4 for $1.99 at Container Store.
  5. Magnetic 3″ x 8″ To Do pads: Always have one on your refrigerator for grocery needs or a note to say where you went. Target usually has these in the $1 bin. The high end Post-It version is at Staples for $4.99.
  6. Velcro Get a Grip straps: These are great to bundle wires or to contain cords for small appliances. Five colors makes this fun even for people who hate electric cords, like me. $3.99 at Office Max.
  7. Specialty-colored duct tape: Even if you think this is a stupid suggestion, you’ve got to check out this site:  www.tapebrothers.com for all the color possibilities.  I know a teenage boy who has a ball making all kinds of things out of duct tape. He pulled his red, white, and blue wallet out to show me one day. Your loved one can join the Duck Tape Club and get instructions for all kinds of crafts.
  8. A book for a little tyke: Duck! Rabbit! Very cute and will match the above gift. Interesting take on a classic optical illusion.
  9. The new game Bananagrams: Finally, a kid-friendly version of the crossword game Scrabble. Comes in its own banana-shaped pouch.  You have to find this at specialty game stores as the inventor refused to sell to the big box  stores.

Have fun getting those little things that make life interesting.  Don’t forget to get a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. All you have to do is pour the pieces out on a table and the family gathers.  That is what makes the holidays so special.

Organizing Your Child’s Masterpieces

Friday, September 11th, 2009

A mom of three recently posed a question on my blog, “I am curious as to how you organize all the school papers and awards throughout 13 years!”  This is a great question!

A masterpiece!

A masterpiece!

With my older two, I tried to make a scrapbook of their special awards, papers, notes from grandparents, etc.  What I found was that some things they wanted to save were 3-dimensional.  So, we progressed to a “scrapbook box”, using one of the containers with the hinged interlocking lids (sturdy, stackable, and the lids are attached, so never lost!)

An excerpt from fellow blogger mom Jennifer gives this slant on it
(http://www.ceomom.com/tips/722-organizing-kids-school-papers-and-projects)

While growing up, I had a very organized mom. She had a storage bin for each of us kids that she would put papers, memories, pictures, trophies, etc. in. Then one day when we were all grown up, she gave us the box. There was no scrambling to gather items – She literally said: “Here’s your box” and it seemed my whole life memories were contained in it. I loved it! I still have my box.

I have done the same thing with my girls. I have two storage bins in a lilac color, so I easily know which bins are my girls. When they do a project or a school paper that I want to keep, I scribble their name, age and date on it and throw it (yes, throw it) in the box.

I agree with Jennifer that noting a name, date, possibly a 2-3 word hint on the back (what the heck is this?) is a good idea.

If I were starting today and focusing on school papers, I would get one of the plastic file boxes http://bit.ly/4uYjEG and use hanging legal files  http://bit.ly/fLk98 with expandable bottoms – one for each school year.  This system will give you room for some larger, fatter items.  If papers for the year exceed a folder, you can cull the best after the school year ends.  That would be a great summer’s day activity with your child!

These are a couple websites that have storage solutions for larger art:

Schoolfolio – http://www.schoolfolio.com/products/single/index.php These are large, archival quality.

Potter Barn – http://bit.ly/2fkg3C Different sizes, not as large, acid free

If price is an issue – do the saving now, make notes on each piece, place in an inexpensive storage bin.  You can always change/improve your system when you have more time, money, and energy.  Enjoy these early years now!