| What do you do with the gift baskets after the | | | | Christmas came around, seasonal items such as |
| contents are eaten or removed? As lovely as they | | | | colored eggs, gourds and pumpkins, and greens and |
| are, they begin to accumulate and take up valuable | | | | colored balls in baskets make beautiful centerpieces. |
| space. Since it is wasteful to throw them out while | | | | Spices Great cooks have an abundance of spice |
| their condition is still good, we will suggest simple and | | | | bottles. A small basket can absorb the overflow and |
| fun ways to turn those empty gift baskets into | | | | still be at hand when needed. |
| useful and practical decorator items. | | | | "Catch-all" Basket Everyone needs a place for |
| Indoor or Outdoor Planters Line the baskets with | | | | essential items such as keys, remote controls, etc., |
| plastic wrap to waterproof them, fill them with | | | | items you know you need but can never find when |
| potting soil and add your favorite plants. This makes | | | | you need them. |
| a nice centerpiece on your picnic table or inside when | | | | Garden Basket Nothing is more annoying than to |
| entertaining. | | | | start working in the garden and to have to go back |
| Dog Toys Dogs, like children, need a toy box to | | | | for a tool. In addition to holding tools, baskets are |
| store their favorite toys. When they are ready to | | | | also useful for carrying the flowers or vegetables |
| play, they will know where to look. | | | | from the garden. |
| Guest Towels Small baskets make wonderful extra | | | | Button Box Most clothing items come with an extra |
| holders for hand towels in the powder room. | | | | button to replace one when you lose it. The problem |
| Guest Room Basket When you have overnight | | | | is, when you lose it, the replacement button is |
| guests, nothing says, "Welcome", like putting small | | | | nowhere to be found. |
| extras in a fancy basket and placing it in their room. | | | | Snack Basket Store all your favorite snacks in one |
| Books or Magazines These tend to accumulate | | | | place. This will save you from making repeated trips |
| around the house. Where do you put them? A | | | | to the kitchen in the middle of your favorite movie |
| basket is the perfect holder. It is easy to move and | | | | or TV show. |
| you can leave it out in plain sight. | | | | Emergency Basket When the lights go out, wouldn't |
| Mail Storage Take those letters you mean to answer | | | | it be easier if all your emergency items like flashlights, |
| and those unpaid bills that are piling up and place | | | | candles, matches, portable radio, etc. were all in one |
| them in a basket until you are ready to tackle them. | | | | place where everyone could find them? |
| Sewing and Knitting Supplies If you like to sew or | | | | Personal Care Products All those small jars and |
| knit, placing a basket with all your supplies next to | | | | bottles that clutter the dresser could be stored in |
| your favorite chair has them ready when you are. | | | | your own personal hand basket. |
| Fruit Basket Real or artificial fruit placed in a basket | | | | Tool Box Small tools and things like picture hooks, |
| makes an inviting centerpiece. | | | | curtain rings, nails, screws, a tape measure, etc. will |
| Children'a Art Supplies When grandchildren come to | | | | be right there when you need them instead of |
| visit or children of your own need crayons, markers, | | | | having to look through a crowded drawer or tool |
| and other creative art supplies, they are all in one | | | | bench. |
| place. | | | | Baby Items Things for the baby that you carry from |
| Medicine and Vitamin Bottles Nothing takes up space | | | | room to room could be stored in a handy carrying |
| like pill bottles sitting on a table or stored in a cabinet. | | | | basket. |
| A decorative container will store them neatly and be | | | | If all else fails, refill the basket with tasty snacks or |
| pleasing to look at, at the same time. | | | | other useful items, wrap it in cellophane and recycle it |
| Holiday Centerpieces When Easter, Thanksgiving, and | | | | to a friend or loved one. |