Happy Healthy Families

I love finding ways to reuse old stuff that would otherwise languish forever in the back of our closets, in the garage or stuffed under the beds, er, thrown away. I often search the web for creative ways to reuse household items, and thought I would share some of my {most} favorite finds with you today (because I am so nice that way.)

1. Have an old picture frame but no picture to put in said frame? Simply place a piece of fabric or pretty paper over the thin cardboard that comes with the frame (or if you have lost that, use lightweight cardboard from an empty cereal box or any other box you have laying around.) and you have a lovely vanity tray. Put it on your dresser and keep your brush, comb, lotion, hair-clips or whatever you want on it! (this tip comes from RealSimple.)

2. Those thin potato chip cans make great containers for straws! Of course I know you never eat those things. Neither do I. But in case you happen to come across one someday, you might want to cover it in some cute contact paper, wrapping paper, or something cute you have laying around, like extra material. Then take that plastic lid and carefully cut a small opening in it - big enough for a straw to fit through. This step is really not even necessary - you really do not have to have a lid if you don't want to. Really.Then fill it up with straws for the kids to grab for their drinks. (This tip comes from Woman's World Magazine.)

3. That Twister Game sitting on the shelf gathering dust has a very fun re-purposing use! Use the Twister mat as a cute tablecloth for the next kid's birthday party you have! (again, this tip comes from Real Simple.com)

4. Those old jeans that are a bit too tight are too worn out to wear anymore - well, the legs of those jeans can make perfect door draft stoppers! Cut one leg off the jeans, fill with whatever you have around the house - plastic bags, old socks, fabric, stuffing, etc. Then sew up both ends. Place this 'pillow' along the bottom of a door to stop drafts from coming in! (Thanks to The Greenest Dollar for this tip.)

5. The cute glass jars that jams and jellies come in make even cuter storage containers for yarn and ribbons. Use a hammer and sharp nail (or drill fitted with a small bit), to pierce holes in the metal lids. Next, place spools inside jars, stringing the ends through the lids before screwing them on. ( This tip also comes from RealSimple.com.)

{image: realsimple.com}