Fireplace or stove "wood"

Who doesn't have toilet paper tubes? Seal one end then stuff them with crumpled paper, sticks, nutshells, whatever will burn cleanly, seal the other end and use them to keep a fire going. Bigger tubes, like the kind that aluminum foil and wax paper come on, work better and burn longer.

Gardening supplies

Before you go to the store for spring gardening supplies, check out your kitchen. Old spoons, spatulas and more can be used to dig, smooth and weed plants in pots or small areas. Wax paper, foil or plastic wrap tubes, cut in pieces, make seed starting pots. Empty coffee cans make containers for bigger plants. Use your imagination.

Reusing wrapping paper

Did you save wrapping from Christmas gifts? Most papers can be ironed to get the wrinkles out (NOT the plastic or shiny types). If you save the cardboard tubes it came on, wrap it back around them, but if you didn't save the tubes, wrap it around any other paper you have on tubes - or simply roll it gently on itself. Secure it (and all rolled wrapping paper) with a rubber band. You won't waste any because of tape.