If you want to know what’s “In”, what’s current, what’s “cool”, just talk to Irene. When it comes to everything new, Irene knows.
Eons ago, Irene got us freezer bags that came with a pump that sucked the air out. You put food in the bag, sucked the air out, and Voila! – packages of food took up less room AND didn’t get freezer burnt. They were awesome! … and costly. We couldn’t afford additional bags, so it ended up being a one-time-use for us. As a result, I never gave them another thought.
Fast forward to the 21stcentury. I was having a conversation with Irene about normal stuff: plans for the day, upcoming gatherings, kids and husbands and health (or more specifically, declining health) and she casually mentioned having to remove ALL of Bryce’s clothes, blankets, pillows, etc. from the guestroom bed. (Yes, Bryce. Unlike me, your Mom does not think you are totallyperfect!) She commented that it shouldn’t be too difficult considering he had them all in bags with the air sucked out so they were flat as pancakes and then went on to praise her dog, Sally, give me updates on mutual friends, complain about aches and pains (and our brother), etc. The conversation ended.
Two days later, I realized something was niggling at my brain. I stopped and focused. I replayed our conversation in my head and heard her say “…flat as a pancake”. Wait! What? Sweaters and blankets and pillows? Oh My!
For years I have been struggling with storage space. We left a house with 14 walk-in closets and moved to a small house with only 3 ½ teeny, tiny closets. There is no floor space for cabinets, or trunks. There is NO WHERE to store clothing, let alone linens, blankets, spare pillows.
Our finances have improved since the kids moved out and the cost of the bags have dropped over the last 4 decades. I decided to take the plunge! I ordered the Hibag Vacuum Storage Bag kit on Amazon. Total cost including tax: $38 (There is free shipping for Prime members.)
The small box that was deliverd contained:
5 Jumbo bags (a whopping 27.5” x 39.35”)
5 Large bags (a super large 21.65” x 33.5”)
6 Medium bags (a still big 19.5” x 27.5”)
2 Small bags (15.7” x 23.5” and can hold 2 sweaters)
2 Rollup Travel Bags (15” x 21” and doesn’t HAVE to be used for travel)
Self Stick Labels
Travel Hand Pump
I began with my biggest nemesis: Mom’s Hand Crocheted Afghans. I have piles of them! They are stacked with the blankets, and washed and rewashed several times a year just to remove the dust. When stacked, the pile was cumbersome and almost 24” high.
Using the Jumbo bags, I laid the bag flat and placed TWO afghans side by side. Then I zipped it up and removed the white cap.
Place the vacuum nozzle over the hole and turn it on!
That’s it! You’re done. Screw the cap back on and put it away. My original 2 foot stack of afghans was reduced by almost 10”.
Even without a size reduction, it would be worth it. They are so much easier to handle! You can throw it like a Frisbee. Since they’re protected from dust, I won’t have to launder and re-launder, so there’s a savings, too!
Imagine blankets, PILLOWS (Yes! You can squish pillows!), summer clothes during winter and winter clothes during summer. If you do use them for travel, you can reduce your suitcase by over half. It’s endless!
So, I absolutely love them. In fact, I ordered another set. I’m going to my daughter’s next!
This post has been percolating in my head since Christmas for a while. Sandy asked what she could do with the hundreds of used Christmas cards she had. Well, I didn’t know, but the challenge was accepted!
During the pandemic, many of us were sheltered in place and decided tode-stress and get all that bad juju out of our living quarters. And, I cannot believe I’m about to say this, but I tried my hand at reducing stuff, too. I made it quick. Keep? Donate? Or trash it?
Here’s where the conundrum lies. What if you can’t use it but it’s too good to throw away? Donate? Yes! But you’ll be surprised (or maybe you won’t) that not everything can be donated easily. And if an item is too difficult to donate, green is the new black, so take a peek on Pinterest and repurpose some of those things.
All of the links are listed at the bottom of this post for easy access.
Eye glasses:
Your old glasses can benefit others in your community or around the world.
Lions Clubs International has a partnership with Walmart and Sam’s Club. The blue and white Lions Club collection boxes are at most Walmart or Sam’s Club Vision Centers.
Or, if you’d like to help people in need across the globe, consider donating to VSP Global so someone in need can see.
Musical Instruments
Perhaps you had foot the bill for your child’s music class. Or that child was interested in, let’s say, a guitar, then a mandolin, then a ukulele and then bag pipes, and then…..?
In the Cincinnati area, a remarkable program called Lonely Instruments for Needy Kids (LINKS), will accept musical instruments in any shape. The donated instruments are refurbished at no charge to the program by repair technicians at Buddy Roger’s Music. They are evaluated, repaired, sanitized, and put in good playing condition — ready to be placed in the hands of an eager student.
An unused piano takes up a lot of floor real estate. If it’s a piano you’d like to donate, this organization will pick yours up in all 50 states.
Here’s an exemplary example of a repurposed instrument. My friend, Bob Richardson, creates these lovely, yet whimsical, art pieces that will make you smile. The photo below depicts one of my favorites. He has created a curvaceous Bluetooth speaker from an Original 1915 Silver Euphonium. The sound, which will play continuously for 6-8 hours, is said to be exquisite. You can see more of Bob’s signature pieces on his website or Facebook page.
Yarn
Sewn, crocheted or knitted items can find a donation home, rather quickly. But what about those “raw” materials that’s been accumulating?
Binky Patrol will happily accept batting, yarn, soft fabric and notions to make blankets for children that are ill, abused or in shelters.
Purposefully using up your stash of yarn, fabric, and other materials, is a great way to promote sustainability in your own home. It’s the waste-not, want-not mentality. Try one of projects pictured below. Either one is sure to use up quite a bit of yarn.
Gently used bras can be donated to Bra Recycling or Free The Girls. Both organizations have sent millions of bras all over the world to empower girls and women.
Makeup
We’ve all been there. We buy a beauty product online and it’s the wrong color; shampoo recommended by the hair gods makes you smell like a dude; or something we don’t really need-need, like those magnetic false eyelashes (I only bought 2 sets). So, what to do with all the barely-touched beauty products you just don’t have a need for?
This link provides 5 five places to donate new or gently used beauty products.
Paint
Sandy’s brain will break if she can’t find someone who can benefit from the used latex paint she has collected. In my local area of Cincinnati, Matthew 25: Ministries’ will accept paint as well as Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Lexington, KY. Check locally before you start lugging paint around town, though. ReStore will mix the paint to sell and raise cash for Habitat for Humanity and Matthew 25: Ministries will re-blend the paint and provide the new colors to nonprofits, schools, public facilities and low income individuals.
Christmas Cards
And, finally, what to do with those used Christmas cards!
Start with organizations that make creative projects. Schools, churches, assisted living facilities, even correctional institutions. There are hundreds of ideas on Pinterest if you’d like to give your cards a second life. If you prefer donating them, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children has a recycled card program which provide teens with life and work skills.
As promised, here’s a list of all the links:
Your prescription glasses can be donated to VSP Global
If near Cincinnati, Ohio donate musical instruments in any shape to LINKS
Greeting (Christmas) cards can be sent to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children; or if you’d like to repurpose cards yourself, visit Pinterest for hundreds of tutorials
Most items can be donated or used for another purpose. No matter the method, every donation and repurpose has an impact.
Spring is here and summer is just around the corner! There’s nothing better then refreshing lemon on hot days. I have been making these Lemon Bars for over 40 years and they’ve never disappointed! I can’t give credit to whom it belongs, but my whole family thanks them! You will, too. In under an hour, you can be serving these super easy and so delicious treats!
Lemon Bars
2 ¼ c all-purpose flour
1 c butter (room temperature)
½ c powdered sugar (plus a little more for sprinkling)
4 eggs (room temperature)
2 c sugar
¼ tsp salt
5 Tbls lemon juice (fresh is best)
1 tsp baking powder
9 x 13 glass dish (rectangular)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In bowl, add 2 c flour, butter and powdered sugar.
Cut with fork or pastry cutter until it’s crumbly.
Press into an ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
While the crust is baking, whip eggs lightly with a fork. Add sugar, salt and lemon juice. Mix well. Stir in remaining ¼ flour and baking powder.
Pour onto the hot crust. Bake 25 minutes.
When cool, sprinkle with powder sugar and cut into squares. Serve. They’re best when cold.
You can refrigerate or even freeze any leftovers, but I seriously doubt there will be any!
I’m certain that almost everyone has a few “Cocktail Lovers” on their gift list. Whether it’s someone who only partakes in a beer or glass of wine on special occasions, or the total aficionado, you’ll find the perfect gift here. Cheers!
QUAFFABLE (Enjoyable Drinks)
Do you love bourbon? Become a New Riff Ranger. A lifetime membership to this up-and-coming distillery is only $60 and will earn you perks including a bottle of personally signed, single barrel Bourbon, that can be bottled by you!
“I drink to make other people more interesting.” — Ernest Hemingway
A personalized engraved bottle of Woodford Reserve will please any bourbon lover. Can’t get to the distillery? No worries, you can order a bottle from Spirited Gifts.
Bootleg Botanicals offers an Absinthe Infusion Kit complete with glass and spoon for $75. I guarantee it’s on Toulouse-Lautrec’s list!
“Electricity is actually made up of extremely tiny particles called electrons, that you cannot see with the naked eye unless you have been drinking.” — Dave Barry
Tesla not only makes luxurious, exclusive cars, apparently they make luxurious, exclusive tequila, too! 100% de agave tequila añejo aged in French oak barrels, it’s a mere $250 per bottle.
COCKTAIL COMPLIMENTS and GREAT GARNISHES
Great Lakes Edition Mess Hall Cocktail Cherries are made with hints of bourbon, vanilla bean, cinnamon, rose, and peppercorn. Perfect for your next Old Fashioned. $18 at Bespoke Post.
“Why limit happy to an hour?” — Unknown (but my kind of person!)
These peppermint shot glasses add a festive touch to your Christmas party, or anytime. At $24 for 12, they make great stocking stuffers, too!
Fee Brothers makes bitters that will make your cocktails taste amazing! Four unique flavours: Cardamom, Old Fashion Aromatic, West Indian Orange and Aztec Chocolate Bitters.
“If life gives you lemons, make lemonade…and find someone whose life gave them vodka.” — Ron White
Ohhhhh! Lemon Drops! They have an effervescent, bubbly zing, almost like pop rocks, that stimulates saliva and cleanses the mouth with a refreshing cool, numbing feeling. Add a crazy sensation to your mouth when you muddle them in cocktails to add electricity!
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
The Original Whiskey Ball makes jumbo 2 ½” ice balls for whiskey and cocktails. Only $13 at Apollo.
These are great! Ice cubes shaped like the Titanic. Make a Gin and Titonic and it looks like the ice ship is sinking in your drink. Prices vary from $2.50 and all the way up to $20 at a variety of places: Etsy (and you can support a small business owner), Amazon, Walmart, and Overstock to name a few.
Keep your booze cool this summer without watering it down with Booze Joulies.
“One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.” — George Carlin
Perfect for tipplers that travel, this kit can be carried on any flight. The Carry On Moscow Mule Cocktail Kit comes with a bar spoon, 1/2 oz jigger, small-batch ginger syrup, a linen coaster, and recipe card. Just add the airline’s booze and you’re good to go. Each kit has enough ingredients for two drinks, so you can make new friends with whomever’s in the aisle seat.
The 2nd best part of a Bloody Mary are the garnishes. Have fun and create a fabulous garnish display with these Bloody Mary Cocktail Branches. Made of stainless steel in the U.S.A. $18 for a pair.
“Monday. Nothing a cocktail can’t fix.” — Unknown (Why don’t I know these people?)
These champagne flutes by Sempli have a flat bottom designed to enhance the effervescence of carbonated beverages. $50 for a pair.
These stunning Iceberg Whiskey Tumblers are Hand Blown unleaded Crystal. Get a pair for only $25 from Toby Global.
“There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren’t as good as others.” — Raymond Chandler
The JoyJolt Carre cocktail glass is unique, square, handmade, and has a strong heavy base with an architectural design that will make a lasting impression. $26 for 2 glasses.
The Liiton Grand Canyon Whiskey Glass is unlike any other whiskey glass currently on the market. It has a mountain range design running along the side of the glasses that gently aerates the whiskey.
“A man’s true character comes out when he’s drunk.” — Charlie Chaplin
Sip from a Spinning Whiskey Glass that creates an eye-catching effect with a purpose – aerating the whiskey, to open up flavor and aroma.
Gorgeous Lustered Shot Glasses will make the simplest drink look fabulous! $32 for a set of 4 at Anthropologie.
Inspired by diamonds, the unique shape of Dragon Glassware Diamond Whiskey Decanter and glasses allows your drink to aerate as it’s poured and swirled inside the decanter and glasses.
“Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.” — Ernest Hemingway
Enjoy a pint wherever you’d like with the Tall Boy Pint Cup by MiiR. Stainless Tall Boy Pint Cups will keep your brew chilled! Set of Two for $24.
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” — Benjamin Franklin
A revolving alcohol caddy that dispenses perfect shots is on every cocktail lovers wish list! Tovolo has one that holds 6 bottles.
Any cocktail-enthusiast would love these Infuse and Pour bottles. Made in Chicago. Simply pick your mix of dehydrated fruits and spices, add your favorite spirit, and let the fun begin. $25 at Uncommon Goods.
“I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.” — Winston Churchill
Start a Cocktail Revolution with the Molecular Mixology Kit + Recipe Book. Learn how to create caviar bubbles, celery foam or how to encapsulate your mojito into a large sphere that will burst in your mouth. $50 at MMTUM Shop.
FUN STUFF
Mixology Dice can just be fun or a clever way to learn the art of mixology – or both!!!
“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” — Mark Twain
Everyone selects cocktails for special occasions, but we tend to ignore the tasks of everyday life. Drinks for Mundane Tasks: 70 Cocktail Recipes Book provides the perfect cocktail recipe for mowing the lawn, doing laundry or any chore. At $7 it could be a great stocking stuffer, too!
I couldn’t resist adding the True Bonny Boy Liquor Dispenser. My father had one in the 50s & 60s so it brought back fun memories. Still fun and collectible, it’s only $20 at Keg Works.
One-of-a-kind engraved personalized beer mugs – you provide the photo and name, they’ll do the rest!
“I’m on a whisky diet. I’ve lost three days already.” — Tommy Cooper
These one of a kind stave bowls are handcrafted from the famous Pappy Van Winkle bourbon barrel staves by Louisville’s own artisan Jason Cohen. A luxurious gift that’s sure to bring pleasure for years to come! $185 at Independent Goods.
“Beer, if drunk in moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit and promotes health.” — Thomas Jefferson
This is a more grown-up version of the old dorm-room classic! It even has catapults! Mini Beer Pong is $60 at Uncommon Goods.
Finally, don’t forget cocktail napkins. They’re fun, inexpensive and ooze with personality! From classic elegance, to bawdy humour and everything in between! Many as low as $5 so they make a great stocking stuffer, too.
“Here’s to alcohol, the rose colored glasses of life.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald
We have great gift ideas for everyone on your list! Read our posts:
