Quick and Frugal Gift for Kids

Gather several cardboard boxes of different sizes and shapes and paint or cover them with paper or cloth. Kids love these. They can build things or use them for imaginary cars or houses or whatever.

Don't buy organizers!

Cardboard boxes, from cheese boxes and shoe boxes to refrigerator boxes, are containers. Containers. Don't buy plastic or cardboard containers when you already have them.

Free defrosting trick

If you have a refrigerator or freezer that isn't frost free and you need to defrost, pack your frozen food tightly in a box that's been lined with newspaper and put a thick layer of newspaper over it. It will stay frozen solid for several hours.

Free laundry basket

Substitute a cardboard box, lined with newspaper, or better, line it with plastic bags. You can cut hand holds from the sides. Sturdy cardboard boxes will last as long or longer than many plastic laundry baskets.