101 uses for Velveeta boxes 12/13/2011
Okay, not really 101, but before you throw out that perfect little box, consider the following uses and see if it is really worth making just that much more trash, when it could help simplify your life...at no extra cost!
Seriously, I currently have about 20 of these scattered around my house, and you can bet I'm saving up more!
*Note: I keep the cardboard part from the bottom. I do chunk the lids. And this is from the 2 lb packages. 1 pounders aren't actual boxes, just cardboard with flaps.
Seriously, I currently have about 20 of these scattered around my house, and you can bet I'm saving up more!
*Note: I keep the cardboard part from the bottom. I do chunk the lids. And this is from the 2 lb packages. 1 pounders aren't actual boxes, just cardboard with flaps.
1. Drawer organizers - You know those plastic divider/organizer thingies that you buy to put in a drawer for pens and paper clips and such? You know how they are about as deep as a single pen and the stuff ends up scattered? Try this box and see if anything escapes. And they're modular...rearrange as many times as your dear heart desires. I especially like using them for measuring spoons. I just take out the whole box when I'm cooking and don't have to rummage around anywhere for the 1/2 teaspoon.
2. Receipt holder - Need something simple in the kitchen/entryway to stash receipts, just until you're sure you can discard them? Here you go. Deep enough to hold papers up sideways, small enough to fit just about anywhere.
3. Candy box - slide this into a cabinet or drawer to easily house little treats. Then, when it is a good time for your little one (or you) to select one, simply take it out, choose your goody, and put it back. Shaye put stickers on hers.
4. Storage of individually wrapped items - cracker packs, granola bars, packs of gum, tea bags, soup or dressing mixes, hot chocolate packets, etc. don't get lost in the shuffle when they have their own spot...whether in a cabinet, drawer, or open basket.
5. Extra silverware - Is your silverware organizer actually overflowing, because about 3 times per year you need all those spoons, but the rest of the time they just jump over into the knives and forks? Purge down to what you actually use on a regular basis and relegate the remainder to your dining room hutch or buffet, or to a top cabinet shelf, or the back of another drawer...in a box or two. Easy to pull out when you need the extra, but keep your drawer more functional for the rest of the time.
6. Crumb catcher - Now, the most brilliant idea for this I have ever seen was a trash drawer shown on a cooking show. She could just open the drawer, sweep any crumbs, peelings, etc. off the counter and into the drawer, close it right up and keep cooking. But...most of us don't have a drawer to spare for such a use, and I imagine keeping it lined would be a headache. However, our hands really are quite ineffective at this job. Yes, we sweep those things off into our hands or a paper towel or something, but some bits always escape. No more! Grab an empty box, hold it up to the edge of the counter, and easily nab all those runaway pieces that usually end up on the floor.
7. Kids' medicine measurers holder - I keep all our little medicine cups, syringes and droppers in one of these, set inside the larger box that holds the medicine.
8. Crayons or markers for kids - large and light enough for kids to manage, and easy to stash when they are done. (No, kids don't really need access to 2000 crayons at a time. This holds enough for coloring time. I keep the rest in a zip top bag to refill those in active use when there are too many broken ones. Same with markers - if they don't color well, chunk them. You wouldn't want to use them, either.)
The basic premise here is DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR EMPTY VELVEETA BOXES! Find somewhere to put them and I guarantee you'll end up realizing their usefulness and distributing them around the house.
2. Receipt holder - Need something simple in the kitchen/entryway to stash receipts, just until you're sure you can discard them? Here you go. Deep enough to hold papers up sideways, small enough to fit just about anywhere.
3. Candy box - slide this into a cabinet or drawer to easily house little treats. Then, when it is a good time for your little one (or you) to select one, simply take it out, choose your goody, and put it back. Shaye put stickers on hers.
4. Storage of individually wrapped items - cracker packs, granola bars, packs of gum, tea bags, soup or dressing mixes, hot chocolate packets, etc. don't get lost in the shuffle when they have their own spot...whether in a cabinet, drawer, or open basket.
5. Extra silverware - Is your silverware organizer actually overflowing, because about 3 times per year you need all those spoons, but the rest of the time they just jump over into the knives and forks? Purge down to what you actually use on a regular basis and relegate the remainder to your dining room hutch or buffet, or to a top cabinet shelf, or the back of another drawer...in a box or two. Easy to pull out when you need the extra, but keep your drawer more functional for the rest of the time.
6. Crumb catcher - Now, the most brilliant idea for this I have ever seen was a trash drawer shown on a cooking show. She could just open the drawer, sweep any crumbs, peelings, etc. off the counter and into the drawer, close it right up and keep cooking. But...most of us don't have a drawer to spare for such a use, and I imagine keeping it lined would be a headache. However, our hands really are quite ineffective at this job. Yes, we sweep those things off into our hands or a paper towel or something, but some bits always escape. No more! Grab an empty box, hold it up to the edge of the counter, and easily nab all those runaway pieces that usually end up on the floor.
7. Kids' medicine measurers holder - I keep all our little medicine cups, syringes and droppers in one of these, set inside the larger box that holds the medicine.
8. Crayons or markers for kids - large and light enough for kids to manage, and easy to stash when they are done. (No, kids don't really need access to 2000 crayons at a time. This holds enough for coloring time. I keep the rest in a zip top bag to refill those in active use when there are too many broken ones. Same with markers - if they don't color well, chunk them. You wouldn't want to use them, either.)
The basic premise here is DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR EMPTY VELVEETA BOXES! Find somewhere to put them and I guarantee you'll end up realizing their usefulness and distributing them around the house.
