Archive for the ‘
Container Store ’ Category
It was a typical trip to Costco for me–five bags of Tostitos Scoops, tissue boxes, the famous ‘Costco Rotisserie Chicken,’ and a few items that I never knew I needed…
If I’m short on time, I don’t usually explore the aisles with the car/outdoor/electronics because it’s rare that I ‘find’ anything I need in there. But, this time I turned the corner from the produce section, passing electronics on my way to the register, and found this:
Today’s ‘Cool Product:’ The Battery Daddy
(And a whole lot of them!)
It was on sale for $9.99–how could I resist? Organizing my home’s battery collection was not exactly my top priority but when I saw the Battery Daddy (and the great price) I had to bring it home with me.
I paid for the items in my cart, got myself a $1.50 hotdog lunch, and set out to find my car in the parking lot.
The sale price enticed me to buy it but what was really my reasoning?
This was my household battery storage system…
Yes–all the batteries are in one spot so I do get points for organization and grouping ‘like with like’ but it wasn’t always easy to find what I needed. The poor AAs and AAAs were always cowering under the weight of the Cs and Ds. And when we bought extra batteries in the event of a storm, the packaging stuck out of the top and we couldn’t use the lid of the container. I don’t need to have my batteries stored in rainbow order but I wanted to step it up a bit from the open bin on the shelf of our garage.
I showed the Battery Daddy to my husband when I got home (I did put the chicken away first…).
“Look, Honey!” I said to him. “Look what organizing product I found at Costco today!”
He knows that I usually come home with the Tostitos Scoops, tissues, and ‘the chicken’ but I think I surprised him with this one.
“Great!” he said.
“It was only $10 on sale!” I replied gleefully.
“Have fun filling it!” he yelled gleefully because he was thankful he didn’t have to be the one to fill it.
Speaking of filling it, this complete battery storage system holds 180 batteries. It weighs 2.2 lbs. empty and weighs 13 lbs. when it’s full. It has the capacity to hold:
• 72 AAAs
• 76 AAs
• 8 9 Volts
• 10 Cs
• 8 Ds
• 12 Button cells
There are even two ‘surprise’ slots for storing batteries in the handle!
AND–it’s comes with a BATTERY TESTER! That was what sealed the deal for me. My days of not knowing whether a battery still had a charge or not were about to be over. I have faint memories of my father owning a battery tester (probably from the now-defunct Radio Shack) and having me test batteries at our kitchen table. It was fun to do back then–I plan to pass the love of battery testing on to my kids all thanks to the Battery Daddy.
Features:
• Double sided design – the other side is just for AA battery storage
• See-through lid (on both sides)
• Bright red–easy to spot on a shelf
• Sturdy handle with finger grooves (useful when heavy!)
• Did I mention it came with a battery tester?
Here’s what our container of batteries looked like…
Here’s what they looked while I sorted, battery-tested, and purged some…
Here’s what they look like after transferring them from the plastic bin to the Battery Daddy…
Love it! 😍
Some Battery Daddy Tips:
• If you fill it to capacity, it weighs 13 lbs. Please make sure you store it on a sturdy lower shelf, cabinet, or standing upright on the floor. You don’t want this case to crack or break the bottom of a drawer (or your foot).
• Store a set of regular-sized and/or mini screwdrivers near the Battery Daddy. Where there’s a need for batteries, there’s often a need for a screwdriver!
• Along with some packages of AAAs, AAs, Cs and Ds, it’s the perfect gift for a new dad or mom–they just don’t know it yet (wink wink). If you have kids, you know that while kids don’t run on batteries (they run on chicken nuggets…), much of what they own does require batteries from baby swings to remote control cars to Xbox controllers. Makes a useful housewarming gift as well.
One might ask–Do I really need 180 batteries or an organizing tool that is able to hold 180 batteries? If you don’t, here are a few battery organizers that might work better for your needs…
• iDesign Recycled Plastic Divided Organizer Battery Insert
• AA or AAA Battery Storage Case from The Container Store
• AA or AAA Battery Ladder
Even though our household does not need storage for 180 batteries, I feel the Battery Daddy is totally worth the price. It’s going to make finding the batteries my family I need when we need them practically effortless.
No more sifting through cluttered junk drawers or plastic baggies searching for batteries! No more wondering whether your batteries still have ‘juice’ left in them. The Battery Daddy–it’s my latest ‘Cool Product’ pick.
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I’ve been writing an annual Container Store Stocking Stuffers post on and off since 2013. Years ago, I created the title for this blog post series because I truly loved the idea of The Container Store showcasing cute, fun, and original organizing and not-organizing related products that one could place in a holiday stocking. What a concept! I hope the Container Store employee who thought of that idea got a raise and a promotion.
This year, the post’s title does not reflect my feelings about the collection. I’ll be honest–I am disappointed by the 2023 selection of Stocking Stuffers. There are 141 Stocking Stuffers this year and barely any of them can be considered organizing products. The selections have gotten more expensive, too.
I took a look back at some of my past stocking stuffer blog posts to discover that I felt similarly with the 2016 collection. Not only did it lack organizing products, it was also the first year that Poo-Pourri was introduced as a stocking stuffer. That was enough for me to consider throwing in the towel when it came to writing about this group of products. (No offense to those who use poo-pourri–I don’t think it should be considered a ‘gift.’ That’s just how Momma raised me…)
I’m not emailing a complaint to the CEO, but if I did, it would be as simple as this…
Dear Container Store,
I’m a little miffed about the lack of organizing products on your 2023 Stocking Stuffer list. I was looking forward to showcasing them in my annual blog post titled, ‘I ‘Heart’ Container Store Stocking Stuffers.’
Please add some organizing-related products back to your future Stocking Stuffer collections. You and I both know that they exist. You have half a year to find them and get some ready for 2024.
Looking forward to seeing what your Stocking Stuffer team selects!
Sincerely,
Stacey Agin Murray
Professional Organizer
Organized Artistry, LLC
Thanks for listening. I’m feeling a bit better now.
Despite the letdown, I decided to wade through the 141 items and find a few that made me smile. The categories I’m featuring this year are: Fun, Artsy, and Organizing.
Fun
There’s always a few fun/funny stocking stuffers that catch my eye. Here are three of them…
Adulting is Hard Anecdote Pencils – package of 7
$6.49
Growing up, pencils were kinda boring. They were mostly golden colored. Now you can find pencils with cartoon characters, holiday designs, different colors, and yes–funny sayings. My personal favorite anecdote on these pencils is, “Too old for Snapchat, too young for Life Alert.” In addition to the Adulting pencils, there are two other sets– ‘Bring Me More Cats’ and ‘Pet All the Dogs.’ And they come pre-sharpened so you can get ‘write’ down to writing!
Crack a Smile Breakfast Egg & Pancake Mold
$11.99
Who couldn’t use a smile–especially in the morning? I feel it’s kind of pricey for a piece of plastic but if it’s going to make you happy and brighten up your day, then it’s worth every penny. And it’s microwave and dishwasher safe–cooking and clean-up just got easier.
Tabletop Cornhole
$19.99
Cornhole is all the rage lately. Mostly played outside, the boards can be heavy and a challenge to move and store away if you do not live in an all-year-round warm climate. If you don’t have the room to store a traditional corn hole set, try this one. Perfect for indoor fun!
Are you intrigued? To learn more about this fun game and be able to watch tournaments live or on YouTube, head to the website of the American Cornhole Association. I’m not joking–it’s a thing.
Artsy
The amount of Container Store Stocking Stuffers that fit this category has grown over the past few years. Out of 141 products, I counted twenty as ‘artsy.’ That’s approximately 15% of the stocking stuffers!
The ‘artsy’ products range from coloring implements to art kits. Below are two that stood out to me and my inner (and former outer) child…
Lite-Brite Mini
$14.99
When I saw the Lite Brite Mini I got very excited. You see, I always wanted a Lite Brite. But, my parents did not allow it because of all the pieces it came with. That, plus apartment living, plus having a younger brother and sister who could possible eat those colored pegs made owning the Lite Brite a pipe dream.
The original Lite-Brite was produced in 1967 and came with close to 400 plastic pegs in eight colors. Future models had about 200-300 pegs depending upon what set you purchased–still too many for my parent’s liking.
So, I played with it at my friend’s house and despite being deprived of a personal Lite Brite, I went on to become an Art major in college.
Ooly Yummy Yummy Scented Glitter gel Pens – Set of 12
$12.99
Speaking of being an art major, I don’t know anyone interested in creating art that isn’t dazzled by a set of cool pens. When I saw these I smiled and thought about buying them for myself as an adult! In the description, it says, “Create a sparkling look every time you write and draw with these fun pens.” In my mind, these would totally be ‘at-home’ pens. Because if you brought them to school or to work everyone would want to use them, teachers might not appreciate the smell, and I know I’d be doodling (and sniffing) instead of taking notes or getting my work done.
Of all the items, I may have to splurge on these pens for myself. Getting the Lite Brite Mini isn’t off the table, either. At least my parents wouldn’t have to worry–my kids are old enough to know not to eat the pegs…
Organizing
As I scrolled though the pages of stocking stuffers, I was surprised at how few helped people get organized. But, happily, I found one organizing product I’d want to share.
Stackers Petite Travel Jewelry Box
$19.99
This travel jewelry box is so teeny-tiny! It’s not for someone who loves to wear jewelry and pack coordinating necklaces on a week-long trip. This would be useful to carry in a handbag or back pack if you had to remove jewelry before exercising or using your hands for work. Or, if you keep it simple when it comes to jewelry, this item would easily keep your everyday rings, earrings, and necklace safe and portable.
The rest of the Container Store Stocking Stuffer 2023 collection can be found on their website. Despite the lack of organizing products, there are plenty of items that will make you or someone else smile at holiday time.
I’m just thrilled The Container Store finally took Poo-pourri off the stocking stuffer list… Happy Holidays!
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Last year, I waited (impatiently) by my mail slot for a copy of The Container Store Stocking Stuffer catalog to arrive. I waited. And I waited. Arms crossed. Feet tapping. Waited. I didn’t go as far as to accost my mail carrier but it was close… It used to come at the end of November–colder weather, Thanksgiving, and then the arrival of the catalog–in that order!
But, no catalog. No announcement from The Container Store that they would be saving paper that year and not printing one. No personal note of apology for taking away some of the joy of my holiday season.
So, I did the next best thing. I got on my couch with my laptop, a pad, and a pen and instead of turning pages of a catalog, I scrolled the Container Store Stocking Stuffers 2022 collection via their website.
This year, I did not hold out hope for the arrival of a post-Turkey Day catalog. I went straight to my couch with my laptop. There were close to 200 stocking stuffers in this year’s collection–lots of new ones and a few I’ve reviewed in the past.
I’ve been writing this stocking stuffer highlight post (almost) annually since 2013. Since then, The Container Store has definitely strayed from a stocking stuffer collection of mostly organizing products to a collection of some organizing products and more kitchy, cutesy, useful, and fun items. Regardless, I’m always excited to see what they have on their list.
Every year, I split the stocking stuffers I’ve chosen to highlight into categories. This year, the Container Store Stocking Stuffers 2022 categories are: Fun, Useful, Get Organized!, Pricey, and ‘What On Earth Were They Thinking?.’
FUN
Cookie Dunker Straw
$6.99
Do kids dunk cookies anymore or is it a thing of the past? If it hasn’t been popular lately, this product will most definitely resurrect a pastime of our youth. No more getting your fingers covered in milk upon dunking! Whatever you drink and dunk with–cow’s milk, oat milk, almond milk–have fun dunking your cookies!
Light Up Scrunchie (also useful)
$10.99
Did you know the scrunchie was patented in 1987? I was in college back then and I think I still own a few of my scrunchies from way-back-then. They made a comeback with the recent VSCO girl trend. When my tween son recently commented that I looked like a VSCO girl when I wore one, I promptly informed him that I was an original trend setter back in the 1980’s. Insert tween boy eye roll here…
I think this product is a cute idea for any female that wears scrunchies. It would be fun to wear to parties, outdoor evening events, and it can also be used as a safety device for those walking/jogging in the evening hours.
USEFUL
Stress Less Cards
$8.99
I really wish there wasn’t a need for this product but thank goodness it exists! Each box contains 100 cards with tips and strategies for leading a stress-free or at least a less stressful life. If you’re looking for simple ways to manage and get rid of stress during the day, these cards just may do the trick. Sometimes all it takes is a quote, an idea, or support in the form of a card to help us breathe a little easier.
Portable Hair Tie Holder
$7.99
I have two boys but I’ve heard from ‘girl-moms’ that their daughter’s hair ties can be found all over the house and they multiply in their sleep. This hair tie holder attaches to a handbag or backpack or even a belt loop for easy access to a hair tie. Great for on-the-go hair needs. It has the capacity to hold three of them–one for you, one for a friend, and one to spare. If you’re always looking for a hair tie for yourself or another female in your life, this may be a small but mighty solution to your hair tie-hunting needs.
Kelvin Fidget Spinner Multi Tool
$24.99
Boy, could we really free up space in our tool boxes with this item! It’s always a good idea to have a flat head and a Phillips head screwdriver handy. This multi tool comes with two of each of those and two Torx heads (a type of head I had not heard of until recently). Keep it handy for quick fixes around the house and keep one in your glove compartment. Sounds like the perfect gift for a kid going to college or getting their first apartment, too. And if you’re bored because you’ve fixed everything in your home with this multi-tool, then you can pass the time by using it as a fidget spinner!
Get Organized!
Erin Condren ‘Oh, What a Week’ Notepad
$9.99
I could go on and on about the benefits of planning out and organizing your week. It allows you to be strategic about how you use your time, helps you block out time and track weekly tasks and goals, and increases your productivity (which leads to decreased stress-levels). As opposed to utilizing a phone or tablet, this pad offers is an option for those who prefer to write. The colors are inviting (thanks, Erin for making it *pretty*) and there are plenty of lines in each box to jot down errands, appointments and reminders.
I don’t recommend using this as a calendar, but instead as a visual reminder of what you need to accomplish in a given week. There are fifty sheets–I guess Erin Condren wants you to take off two weeks during the year??? If you need those extra two sheets, place one of the blank pages in a Xerox machine and print them out. If you’ve been meaning to start planning your weeks, this pad could support that goal.
Flex Pot Clip
$7.99
I cook a lot–so much so that I own two spoon rests–one on each side of my cook top. They get messy quickly and need to be scrubbed often. The Flex Pot Clip seems as if it is an organized solution to a messy problem!
It’s made of heat-resistant silicone and stainless steel and clips onto the side of a pot or pan. The silicone helps to grip the clip and grip the utensil it’s holding. I like the fact that all drips go right back into the pot and it would eliminate one item from taking up space on my ingredient-filled countertop while I’m cooking. Don’t tell my spoon rests, but I just may have to buy this one and give it a try…
Pricey
Chef’n Smores Maker
$49.99
Hmmmm. Fifty dollars for a little s’mores maker? The product description says it’s family-friendly (I’m not sure what they mean by that because there’s FIRE involved…) and compact (OK–I guess easy to transport–with chafing fuel–for making s’mores when you’re away from home) but is it worth fifty dollars?
And, at that price point, can you really use store-brand marshmallows and anything but ‘the good chocolate?’ (Thank you, Ina Garten…). I guess for those who love s’mores and for those who don’t want the cost or upkeep of a fire pit, it’s a fine solution. Go ahead, indulge in your passion for s’mores-making or make another s’mores lover in your life giddy with excitement. We only go around this world once, ya know…
What Were They Thinking???
Beard Buddy Keyring Comb
$8.99
I’m not a guy. And my guy does not have a beard. I’m going to have to ask some bearded men to give me some insight on this product because I.Just.Don’t.Get.It. Is this even sanitary??? I’m not sure who came up with this concept? Maybe a guy with a beard who had a small comb in his pocket but nothing to open his drink with? Necessity IS the mother of invention after all!
Whatever my opinions are about the Keyring Comb, I’m happy to announce that after many years, The Container Store has removed ‘Poo-Pourri’ from their Stocking Stuffer list. Maybe they read my thoughts about it in my 2016 stocking stuffer post and decided to remove it. Have no fear–it’s still in the store if you must buy it for someone. And, OK–I’ll give them this. Unlike other items on the Stocking Stuffer list, it does actually fit easily into a stocking…..
Interested in seeing the entire Container Store Stocking Stuffers 2022 collection? Click here and happy scrolling!
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Even as a kid, I could spot an organizing product from a mile away…
I have a clear memory from my childhood of walking into a Chinese restaurant and noticing in the back corner–a sizable round table with a small, round piece of wood on top of it. While my family ate, a large group of people were seated at that table and what happened next made my ten-year-old eyes go wide.
The patrons ordered. The waiters brought out platters of food and placed them all on the round piece of wood. Then, that round piece of wood started moving. And people started serving themselves from it. Holy-moly–it spins!
I went home after dinner and wrote in my diary:
Dear Diary, Tonight at dinner I got a really disappointing fortune cookie BUT, I saw the coolest thing at the Chinese restaurant. I MUST someday sit at one of those tables with the spinny-thing on it. It was too cool for school. But I’m going to have to find nine other people to join me at the table because they won’t seat me there by myself…
As an adult, I eventually found nine other people who enjoyed Chinese food and were equally intrigued with the spinning table top. And, yes–it was a fun time. Childhood life goal fulfilled!
When it comes to writing about cool organizing products, I often focus on a singular item. This time, I’ve chosen to declare a category of organizing products as today’s ‘Cool Product.’ If you haven’t guessed already, I’m talking about the Lazy Susan.
I know–you have the same question I do. Why is it called a Lazy Susan?
I went looking for a definitive answer and came up with a bunch of educated guesses from educated people…
In my research and reading, I found that no one really knows for sure where the term ‘Lazy Susan’ comes from. There are more myths and conflicting reports than fact.
Here are a few facts and a few theories about the Lazy Susan:
• It dates back to 13th century China and 18th century England and was probably created to replace household help.
• Some historians say that Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Edison both had daughters named Susan and both had a hand in it’s invention (not at the same time in history, of course). There is no credible proof of that theory.
• In 1891, Elizabeth Howell was granted a patent for improvements to the ‘self-waiting table’ that included making the moveable portion less noisy and preventing crumbs from getting between the table and the revolving part.
• The Lazy Susan first appeared in an advertisement in Vanity Fair magazine in 1917.
• The phrase ‘Lazy Susan’ was added to the Webster’s Dictionary in 1933.
• It found it’s way into Chinese restaurants in the 1960’s–referred to as a ‘hygienic dining tray.’
• It found it’s way into Lechter’s (who remembers the former kitchen-supply store?), The Container Store, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, HomeGoods, and other stores many years later!
The Lazy Susan has evolved over time and has recently become a staple organizing product in many homes–and not just for use on the dining room table.
Benefits to using a Lazy Susan and why it’s such a ‘cool product.’
• A Lazy Susan offers easy access to hard-to-reach spaces
• A Lazy Susan creates storage space in awkward spaces
• A Lazy Susan easily bring items from the back of a space to the front
They come in plastic with rubber grip material, clear plastic (oh, so popular now), metal, wood, marble–so many styles, colors, and sizes. They’re flat, they have raised edges, high-sides, they have compartments. Something for everyone!
And let’s be real. Objects that spin have novelty (who doesn’t love to spin around in a chair???). And in the case of the Lazy Susan, novelty = fun. We’re more likely to use an organizing product if it does something fun–like SPIN! Just another reason why I’m declaring it a ‘Cool Product.’
Where to use a Lazy Susan?
Refrigerator
A Lazy Susan works well in a refrigerator that is deep so items don’t disappear and die in the back of your fridge. Stick your hand in, spin it, and easily retrieve what you need. Less wasted food = less wasted money and less time spent running to the supermarket.
Upper and Lower Cabinets
If you’ve ever searched for a can of soup or a box of macaroni and cheese on the top shelf of an upper cabinet, you know the struggle is real. You can’t install a pull-out drawer in most upper cabinets so how do you easily reach what you need? Install–you guessed it–a Lazy Susan. This will provide an easy-to-access rotating storage system that will allow you to access anything that would otherwise cling to the back wall of the cabinet. Similarly, install one in a lower cabinet in a kitchen or bathroom in lieu of a pull-out drawer or basket.
Corners
Corners can be difficult to access but there’s no reason why we can’t use this awkward space more efficiently. Make the most of a corner where two shelves meet or a blind corner in a lower L-shaped corner cabinet by adding a Lazy Susan. And if you have the height, consider using one with multiple tiers. I always say, “If you have run out of room to organize outward, then organize upward!”
Homework/Art Station
The ladies of The Home Edit really know how to make a Lazy Susan look fab. But don’t despair if the contents of your Lazy Susan are not arranged in rainbow order (thank you Mr. ROY G. BIV). Make homework and art-time more fun with a Lazy Susan filled with pencils, crayons, scissors, glue sticks, etc. Yes, a ‘spinny thing’ can motivate your kids to do their homework and channel their inner Picasso. Whatever works–right, parents?
I use a few Lazy Susans in my own home. I currently have one in a corner of my pantry closet for small items such as extra spices, cans of ginger ale, and small bottles of infrequently used condiments (it’s the one in the photo above). I also use two in a narrow upper kitchen cabinet to group all of my family’s vitamins in one location.
In thinking about it, the memory in the Chinese restaurant was not my first encounter with a Lazy Susan. It was one in my mother’s kitchen. It was a lovely 1970’s gold (who remembers THAT?). It lived in a cabinet close to the cooktop and held a variety of spices. It’s probably the first Lazy Susan I ever saw but did not pay much attention to it until I was old enough to start cooking.
That Lazy Susan worked in our kitchen for close to FORTY YEARS! I recently asked my mother about it and she told me it unfortunately broke some time ago and had to be replaced by a newer 2-tiered version–NOT in gold.
So, if you’re having trouble reaching items in your closets, cabinets, or pantry OR the thought of using an organizing product that *spins* makes you giddy, give the Lazy Susan a try.
If you are the proud owner of at least one Lazy Susan in your home, share in the comments how you’re using it and how it makes your life easier. I’d love to know!
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You know how some kids wait by the mailbox for the Target/Amazon (former Toys R Us) holiday catalog to arrive? For me, it’s the Container Store Stocking Stuffers catalog. I know the holiday season has begun when it appears in my mailbox nestled between bills, requests for donations, and holiday-themed junk mail.
My usual reaction to it’s arrival is to jump up and down with excitement, run to get a pen, and plop myself down in a comfy spot to peruse the pages (I consider this routine to be an act of self-care…). After flipping through the pages once or twice, I then take that pen and start circling the items I may want to talk about in my annual I ‘Heart’ Container Store Stocking Stuffers post. I also draw a big star next to the few items I’ll consider purchasing for myself.
For the past five years (plus one post in 2013), I have done the jumping, the running, the plopping, flipping, circling, and starr-ing. and the writing of the I ‘Heart’ Container Store Stocking Stuffers post.
This year, except for the writing, none of the above occurred. Like Charlie Brown checking his mailbox for a valentine, I checked my mail pile every day for a Stocking Stuffers catalog. In the past, it usually arrived in the middle of November but as I prepped for Thanksgiving, it never showed.
Sadness.
Maybe it got lost in the mail?
Maybe The Container Store chose to be ecologically responsible and didn’t print the catalog this year?
Maybe The Container Store decided NOT to curate a stocking stuffer collection for the holiday season?
FORGET I even SAID that!
Maybe all the stocking stuffer items fell victim to ‘supply chain-itis!’
I’m not crying–you’re crying!
OK, it wasn’t really that dramatic but I was still concerned about the stocking stuffers.
I decided to ask Google to take me to the Container Store website. Stocking stuffer page, please–and step on it!
And then, it took about 2.3 seconds for my fears to disappear. There were the stocking stuffers–all six pages of them. No circling items on my iPad or putting stars next to the ones I thought I might buy. I plopped on the couch, clicked instead of flipped, took notes on a scratch pad, and drew a big star next to the few items I considered purchasing for myself.
After all that drama, here is a list of some of my favorite Container Store Stocking Stuffers. They’re useful, great for organizing, perfect for the kitchen or kids of all ages, cute and fun, and one is an improvement over last year’s choice:
Organizing
Chrome Metal Purse Hanger
$9.99 pkg/6
If you own handbags and have the room to hang them in a closet, this product would be worth a try. They’re similar to an ‘S’ hook but the bottom half can twist, offering great flexibility. And they’re not just for handbags! People who have purchased this product posted pictures of the hooks being used for holding kitchen utensils, boots, and holiday decor.
OXO Spoon Rest with Lid Holder
$20.99
I am a big fan of OXO products. They are thoughtfully crafted and designed with the user in mind. To me, this product screams, ‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’ I can imagine that someone working at OXO had the experience of cooking a big meal with many pots and nowhere to place the lids while tasting, stirring, or sautéing. They came into work the next day and said to their boss, “I have an idea for a new product!”
I know that I am often looking for a place to put my pot lids–especially when I have four or five burners going at once. It’s a little pricey, but I may have to try this. And bonus–it folds flat for easy storage. Thank you OXO!
Kikkerland Wood Hammer Multi-Tool
$19.99
Every apartment dweller or homeowner should own a tool box filled with basic tools. This 10-in-1 multi-tool fits the bill for someone who may not have room for a tool box or the resources (or desire) to fill one. Includes a hammer, wire cutter, pliers, flat and Phillips head screwdrivers, knife blade, file, saw blade, reamer and bottle opener.
At a bit over eight inches long, it’s portable enough to carry to a friend or family member’s house to assist them with a basic repair. And, you’re the hero!
Otherwise, Useful
Vlogging Mini Tripod
$9.99
Unless you live in a cave with no wifi, it’s most likely you’ve spent the better part of the last eighteen months using your phone to communicate via video. And after all that time, if you haven’t invested in a product to create a hands-free spot for your phone, this could be the time to make a small investment.
No more leaning your phone against a tissue box or precariously placing it on a shelf. Something as small as a tripod can offer big rewards in terms of keeping your phone from falling and allowing you to move freely while on video. And–a bonus ring light!
Thumb Scraper
$4.99
This type of product piqued my interest when I profiled the Thumb Scraper Tool in last year’s Stocking Stuffer post. Although I haven’t had a manicure in a while, I still don’t enjoy chipping a fingernail while removing a price tag. I bought this to have in my home to try and view it as a small, yet worthwhile investment. I think it will come in handy whether I’ve painted my nails or not!
Kitchen
Rainbow Scrub Sponge
$6.99
I am not the biggest fan of washing dishes. But, if I had to stand and scrub a bunch of dirty pots, I think this brightly-colored sponge would make the task a little less distasteful and a whole lot more joyful. It comes in a two-pack and it’s safe to use on non-stick cookware. They even have a loop at the top so you can hang them to dry easily.
OXO 4-Piece Mini Measuring Beaker
$10.99
As I wrote earlier, I am a big fan of OXO products. I have a bunch in my kitchen such as spatulas, tongs, peelers, and one of my faves–OXO POP containers. They have all lasted for years and make the cooking part of my life more manageable and less energy-sucking.
When I saw these, I thought, ‘Do I need them? Because, they sure are cute!” Cooking for a family of four (with a teen and tween boy) doesn’t usually lend itself to such small measurements so I passed on purchasing them. But, aren’t they adorable? And they nest, too! Even when they’re next to each other, they barely take up much space.
Each set includes 2-oz, 1-oz, 1-Tbsp and 1-tsp measuring beakers and they’re dishwasher safe (top rack). And colorful! And, they match perfectly with the Rainbow Sponges! Ok, maybe I need to take a ride to The Container Store…
Rocket Dog Bites Baking Tray
$13.99
Raise your hand if you love pigs-in-blankets! (Ooooh, me me me!)
In 2018, I profiled a similar product called ‘Little Pigs in Blanket Mold.’ The Rocket Dog Bites Tray appears to be a comparable product–insert rocket ships instead of pigs.
Yes, you can buy pre-made pigs-in-blankets (or as they’re called in my household:’ little hot dogs’) but you might have a blast (off) making your own rocket ship-dogs. Looks like a fun product to use with kids to teach early cooking (and cleaning up) skills. It’s oven-safe and made of easy-to-clean silicone. So easy-to-clean, you probably don’t even need the above Rainbow Sponge…
For Kids Big & Small
Balloon Animals Kit
$4.99
No time to enroll in Clown School? Here’s the next best thing!
It’s amazing how much joy a balloon animal can bring to a child (and many adults, too!). Learn to make six different animals. This kit includes 20 balloons, an air pump and an 80-page instruction book with photos. With this kit, your days of only being able to create a balloon snake are over!
Smencils
$6.99
Just looking at these brought me back to my childhood. There was always one kid in my class who had fruity-smelling magic markers and didn’t mind sharing them. I loved sniffing them (admit it–you know you did, too…)!
Now, there are sweet-smelling pencils! Made from recycled newspaper, they’re packaged in their own recyclable tube and topped by a cute character cap. The set of five color-coded scents include grape jelly, orange, kiwi, blueberry and strawberry. If your kid shudders at the thought of eating fruit, using these pencils may bring them one step closer to tasting the real thing…
Cute & Fun
Donut Playing Cards
$9.99
Would you care for some sprinkles with those poker chips?
Perfect for when a boring rectangular-shaped deck of cards just won’t do. Goes well with a cup of coffee!
Fred & Friends Ramen Sticky Notes
$8.99
I’m not a fan of ramen noodles, but I looooove post-its. And I love the fun and whimsical products made by the Fred & Friends company. It’s the post-it note with the most amount of sodium I’ve ever seen!
If you have a friend or family member who enjoys ramen noodles, this would be a cool stocking stuffer for them. The pad has 155 sticky notes and comes in a resealable zipper storage bag. A great addition to one’s kitchen counter or desk.
Better, But Still Not a Winner in My Book…
Shoe Pourri
$9.99
WHY is this a STOCKING STUFFER??? Is it just me or does anyone else feel that this is just NOT appropriate to give as a ‘gift?’
Doesn’t this kinda ‘reek’ of telling someone that their feet smell? “Hey! Here’s some Shoe Pourri–and Happy Holidays to you, too!”
If you must, try gifting this to the active spouse or teen in your life. Just make sure they won’t be offended by it. The last thing you want during a holiday celebration is a surly teen or horrified family member. #howtoruinaholiday
Interested in seeing the rest of The Container Store Stocking Stuffer Collection. They’re all right here!
If you received a Container Store Stocking Stuffer catalog this year, please let me know in the comments section below!
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Twelve years of blogging! Could that really be true?
It feels like only yesterday when I attended the 2009 NAPO Conference in Orlando and signed up for a workshop called, “Become a Blogging and Podcasting Genius.’ I had no desire to start a podcast but a blog–yup, that was right up my alley.
I’ve always enjoyed expressing myself through the written word. I found writing to be an enjoyable creative outlet–writing about organizing was going to be FUN (and it still is…)!
Who would have thought there would be so much to write about on the topic of organizing?!? It’s twelve years later and I still haven’t run out of ideas. In fact, I keep a list of ideas in a file in one of my favorite productivity apps, Evernote. I’ll be checking my list over the next few weeks to plan out my blog post topics for 2022.
Happy blogiversary to me! As part of my blogiversary celebration, I set goals for my blog for the year ahead and I look back to see if I met the goals I set for myself the previous year. Here’s how I did…
Goals I had set for 2020-2021
Continue to Blog 1x a Month
I got off to a great start! Beginning with October of 2020, I published a blog post consistently every month and lined a guest blogger up for the month of March. Around that time, both of my parents became ill within a few weeks of each other. When a crisis occurs, it’s vital to focus on what’s most important and put non-essential tasks aside until the crisis passes and that’s what I did. They’re doing much better now and I started blogging again over the summer.
I also took time to complete three NAPO Specialist Certificates and a program that certifies me as a Certified Virtual Professional Organizer ( CVPO™ ). The timing was right so I put blogging aside to fulfill the requirements. Now that I’ve completed them all, I can focus more of my time on my blog. I’m looking forward to publishing my annual I ‘Heart’ Container Store Stocking Stuffer post next month!
Consider Using Tailwind
Due to the circumstances of the past year, I barely got to spend any time on Pinterest (insert sad face here). Thus, I didn’t even begin to think about Tailwind. It’s not totally off the table–it’s just not a priority. I’ll keep it on my to-do list and put a reminder in my calendar to learn more about it.
Create Canva Images for Older Posts
Started! I began blogging on the Blogger platform before I even had a WordPress website. WAAAAY back when, blog posts were more about the writing than the photos. Now, I’m starting to add images to some of those ‘vintage’ posts. Years ago, my website designer helped me migrate the old posts over to my new WordPress website. They have good SEO juice–they’re just not pretty enough yet for ‘prime time’ (Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook).
Continue to Tweak Content on Older Blog Posts to Make More Evergreen
Every so often, I’ll scroll through my blog posts to see if they need updating. I’ve made some tweaks along the way to ensure their status as ‘evergreen.’ In fact, the last one I tweaked was a roundup post I curated for Halloween.
Create a Second Blog Post Showcasing ‘Ted Talks’ on the Topic of Organizing
I did not get to write it this year, but I have been curating a list of Ted Talks on the topic of organizing that would work nicely for a second similar blog post. My first blog post titled, 3 Thought-Provoking Ted Talks That Will Inspire You to Get Organized was and still is very popular on Pinterest. It’s on my to-do list to create that second Ted Talk blog post for Winter or Spring of 2022.
Goals I’m setting for 2021-2022
Create a Round-Up Blog Post
I love reading ’round-up’ posts–so many creative and ingenious ideas all in one spot for the reader. I’m considering creating one for my blog in 2022–topic: To Be Decided…
Create Downloadable Printables for My Most Popular Blog Posts
My ‘Ted Talk’ blog post blew up on Pinterest and until a short while ago, it was my most ‘pinned’ post. Then, about nine months ago I started seeing a constant stream of people pinning my ‘Tales of a Town-Wide Garage Sale’ post. It seemed as if half the world wanted to read about my garage sale experience and use my garage sale tips. I get Pinterest notifications on our family iPad and at least a few times a week my son yells out, “Mom! More people pinned your ‘Garage Sale’ post today!”
In an attempt to gather more email addresses for my email list, I thought I’d create a *freebie* downloadable printable for this post. I recently created the printable and now I’m working on figuring out the technology part to make it downloadable and how to collect the email addresses. I hope to report in my next blogiversary post that I was successful!
Invite Guest Bloggers to Share their Posts
In the past, I used to invite guest bloggers to share their knowledge and ideas on my blog–usually around the times of the year when I’d be most busy with my kids (school holidays/summer vacation). I don’t recall why I stopped doing this, but I’d like to get back to it–perhaps having guest bloggers offering tips and advice on topics that are not my specialty. I had a very positive experience hosting a guest blogger in March–I think I’ll try it again this year.
Thanks for joining me on my adventures in blogging–onward to year thirteen!
“I’m overwhelmed!”
“All this clutter is too much for me to handle!”
“I have no idea where to start!”
As a Professional Organizer in business almost nineteen years (!) I have heard the above declarations more times than I can count. I’ve recently coined a phrase I offer to my clients when they feel like it’s all too much:
Starting ‘small’ is the solution to dealing with clutter. De-cluttering a whole room is overwhelming. Starting small by focusing on one teeny-tiny part of that room is more manageable.
Starting ‘easy’ helps us to build our de-cluttering ‘muscles.’ ‘Easy’ items are usually ones with little-to-no sentimental or monetary value. The decision making process takes barely any brain power when we start with the ‘easy’ stuff. Once we’ve trained our decision-making muscles on the easy items, we’re better equipped to make the tougher decisions later on.
Are you familiar with the phrase, ‘The shoemaker’s son has no shoes?’ Well, sometimes I’m so focused on organizing spaces for others that I don’t focus on organizing my own! Case in point–my kid’s linen closet. OK, really it was one shelf in the linen closet…
I have two kids and they share a linen closet where I store their sheets, towels, extra blankets, and any medicine/first aid items they may need or require. When I only had one child, the shelves in this linen closet weren’t as full. Now that there are two of them, there’s A LOT more stuff.
The sheets, towels, and blanket shelves were under control but what was not was the shelf I had dedicated to my kid’s medicine and first aid items. For the first few years, I had a couple of tubes, bottles, and boxes of things that I could find easily. Then after kid number two arrived, the shelf started filling up. I could still find what I was looking for but I would sometimes accidentally knock things over and cause an unwanted ‘domino effect’ resulting in a disorganized mess.
Full disclosure–this is what it looked like:
Forget about the fact that it looked cluttered when I opened the door to this closet. Visually, it was unappealing (and appalling!) to me. I needed to block off time in my calendar to organize this spot. I knew decluttering a linen closet shelf wouldn’t take me long–I just had to create a plan and stick to it.
It was time to take my own advice to start small, start easy–just start. And get the job done…
I followed the 5 steps to getting any space in the home organized–created by Professional Organizer Julie Morgenstern in her book, Organizing from the Inside Out. This is the 5 step method I use with my clients when organizing any space in their homes. It works every time!
Step 1: The Sort
I took all items off the shelf and placed them on a nearby staircase. I sorted them by type and for the most part found that they fell into four categories: First Aid, Medicine, Nose, and Teeth. I also created a category of ‘Expired’ and ‘No Longer Used.’ to be dealt with during the next step.
Step 2: The Purge
Once I sorted all the items, it was easy to see what could be purged. Expired medicine was dealt with in an ecologically-friendly manner and boxes were flattened and added to our recycle bin. Papers were filed, garbage was collected and added to our household trash. I was left with only the things my kids presently use or would need in the future.
Step 3: Assign a Home
This step asks the question, ‘Where are the post-purge items all going to live?’ I knew they were going to live on this shelf in the linen closet so this step was pretty easy to breeze through. After the purge, I placed each grouping of the remaining items back onto the shelf by category until I could complete Step 4.
Step 4: Containerize
I was certain I wanted to use some kind of drawer system to store the medical/first aid items. Quick and easy access to meds and first aid supplies is key when your child is wheezing, sneezing, or bleeding! I measured the height, width, and depth of the shelf and took to the internet to locate a product that would work.
A brief search led me to the Small Tint Stackable Storage Drawers from The Container Store. They were colorful and just the right size to fit two-stacked one on top of another on the linen closet shelf. Lucky for me, I live in driving distance of their location in Paramus, NJ so I hopped in my car and set out to get one step closer to completing my small and easy organizing project. I chose blue and orange because my boys like the NY Knicks and tolerate the Mets because their dad is a life-long fan.
I brought the drawers home, filled each drawer by category, and placed them on the shelf. Organizing success!
Step 5: Equalize
(also known as Maintain)
This is the step that comes after the organizing is done and systems are in place. Every so often, depending upon the how often you use the items, it is necessary to do what’s called ‘maintenance.’
In this case, every few weeks, I peek in the drawers and take inventory on meds, flossers, band-aids, and lip balm. I straighten up other items on the shelf such as shampoo bottles and hand sanitizer and make room for anything new that my kids have started using (deodorant–yikes!). Decluttering a linen closet shelf or any space in your home won’t take long if you keep up with maintaining it!
You may notice that I did not add any labels to the outside of the bins. I tossed the idea around but since the drawers are translucent, it’s fairly easy to see their contents without opening the drawer. As my kids become more independent and access the items on their own, I may choose to add labels. But, for now I like how seamless and colorful it looks when I open the linen closet door.
Not every organizing project has to be on a grand scale for it to make a positive impact on your life. Some are as small as a drawer, a shelf, or a corner of your desk. Even organizing your wallet, your car’s glove compartment, or a bucket full of batteries can save you time, money, and space. Regardless of the size of the project, block off time on your calendar, follow the five steps, and start. Start small. Start easy. Just start.
What small and easy organizing project will you start this week?
It’s been a while since I’ve written a ‘Cool Product’ blog post–not because there aren’t any cool organizing products in the stores. In fact, there are so many ‘cool products’ I’ve seen, used, and read about lately, I could write a blog post a week for the next year and not cover them all!
Last year, while compiling the list of stocking stuffers for my annual I ‘Heart’ Container Store Stocking Stuffers blog post, I came across one stocking stuffer that was not only creative, colorful, and fun–I thought it would function well for my family. And it does!
I’ve been meaning to write about this product for most of this year. Every time I would use it, I’d say to myself, “I should make this the focus of a ‘Cool Product’ blog post. More people need to know about this!”
No need to hold you in suspense any longer (unless you’ve already guessed what it is by the photo above…)
Today’s ‘Cool Product’ is: Sombrero Taco Holders
You may be asking yourself (and me)–what does this product have to do with organizing?
I know it’s a bit of a stretch. It may not revolutionize your life like other organizing products do (I’m lookin’ at you, my lovely label maker…) but yes, plastic sombreros can be an organizing tool. Stick with me and I’ll show you how…
Does your family go gaga for tacos? Mine does.
The excitement of a taco dinner is even more palpable if I make them on a Tuesday: #tacotuesday. And bonus points for me if I can time the ripening of an avocado to go with this meal. Now THAT’s organized meal planning! #mealplanningwin
Let me set the scene of my dining room on a #tacotuesday BEFORE we owned the Sombrero Taco Holders:
-hard taco shells broke easily from being handled
-broken taco shells were then rendered unusable except for dipping in salsa
-children got upset that their taco shells got broken
-children got upset when they put their tacos down to eat some rice or guacamole and the filling would spill out all over their plates
-Mom and Dad got upset because children were upset and #tacotuesday was really messy and not as fun as it was supposed to be.
Yet, everyone still begged for taco night and I still made tacos…
Enter the Sombrero Taco Holders. Four of them to the package, so there’s one for each of us. They come in red, blue, green, and pink. In a house full of boys, guess who gets the pink one?
Here it is holding up the filled taco:
With the taco slid all the way through:
And, with a full plate of Mexican side dishes, too:
Here’s what makes them a ‘cool’ organizing product:
-They utilize vertical space on a plate making room for side dishes.
-They hold up a soft or hard taco shell so you don’t have to. ‘Hands-free’ dining!
-They stack one on top of another to save space in a drawer or cabinet
Now, let me set the scene of my dining room on a #tacotuesday after we started using the Sombrero Taco Holders:
-hard taco shells no longer break easily from being handled
-since there are no more broken taco shells, we now dip Tostitos Scoops in our salsa
-children no longer have broken taco shells
-filling no longer spills out all over children’s plates
-there’s more room on our plates for side dishes
-Less mess and more fun–Mom, Dad, and kids enjoy #tacotuesday
Three cheers for the Sombrero Taco Holder! Chip chip, olé! Chip chip, olé! Chip chip, olé!
If you think these organizing sombreros would be a fun addition to your kitchen but you don’t have a recipe for tacos, I’m more than happy to share mine…
Taco Seasoning Recipe
In the past, I’d use a taco seasoning packet for #tacotuesday. They can be very high in sodium so I set out to test the tastiness of some taco spice blends. I found this recipe over a decade ago on the web and have been using it successfully ever since. I do not recall where I found it so unfortunately, I cannot give credit where credit is due but, whoever that talented taco chef is–thank you!
Give it a try–I think you’ll agree it’s the perfect blend of spices to turn ground beef, ground turkey, or beans into a delicious taco!
TACO SEASONING
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. corn starch
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. oregano
Mix spices together in a small bowl. Add to 1 lb. of cooked meat (or beans or meat/beans mixture) and add 1/2 cup of water to make a light sauce. Mix to coat. Cook for 10-15 minutes covered on medium to medium-low heat. Serve in a taco shell and enjoy!
Are you hungry yet? Pin this post for your next #tacotuesday dinner and share with someone you know who is loco for tacos!
What’s your favorite side dish to eat with tacos? Share one or two in the comments section below–who couldn’t use a few new dinner ideas?
Would you agree–2020 has not exactly been a banner year for most of us? But, that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate holidays and celebrate each other. In fact, all is right in the world, even just for a few minutes, when you have a new crop of Container Store Stocking Stuffers to talk about!
I’m lucky enough to live about ten minutes away from The Container Store of Paramus, NJ. Towards the middle of November, I usually take a mini field trip there to cast my eyes upon a new season of stocking stuffers–to hold them in my hand and imagine them in my home. This year, I’ll be using an abundance of caution and opting to not take my usual field trip to the store. I’ll be drooling over my keyboard instead.
Over the years, the Container Store Stocking Stuffer collection has become more fun, functional, and kitchy and less about ‘organizing.’ In my first stocking stuffer roundup post written in 2013, some of my faves included well-designed kitchen tools, colorful page markers, and a rubber ducky shower cap (for organized hair?!?). This year, I’ll be highlighting some of my current ‘faves’ and throwing it back to one from last year’s stocking stuffer post.
I’ve split up this year’s crop of stocking stuffers that I ‘heart’ most into the following categories: For Organizing, Useful, Fun and Cute, and Really?
For Organizing
OXO Good Grips Mini POP Canister $5.99
OXO happens to be one of my favorite companies. I have praised their products many times on my blog. Plain and simple–OXO does design well. If you haven’t added an OXO POP container to your kitchen yet, I implore you to start small and try the OXO Good Grips Mini POP Canister. I could see using it as a salt cellar next to a cooktop, for storing your favorite spice mix, or as a place to store daily vitamins or medication. Opening the lid with it’s big button design is a piece of cake–easy for children, seniors, and those with arthritis or dexterity impairments. It’s too cute to not buy and try. And if you really like it and want more, they’re sold in a four pack, too.
Crayola Travel Set $4.99
If you’re a parent or someone who spends time with a child who likes to color, you know that crayons have a habit of rolling off tables, rolling under appliances, and rolling right into the crevice between a child’s car seat and your car’s seat. The Crayola Travel Set prevents all of this from happening by providing a ‘home’ for the crayons when in transit or at the site of being used (the diner, Aunt Peggy’s house, or the car). It comes with some coloring paper but once that’s used up, there’s extra room to store more crayons inside. Comes in red or blue. I don’t know if it fits in a car’s cup holder but that would be an added bonus!
Black Password Keeper $9.99
No one ever said every stocking stuffer had to be fun, flashy, or frivolous. Sometimes we should fill a stocking with functionality. After putting the traditional orange in the toe of the stocking, consider the gift of online safety with the Black Password Keeper. It may look boring and unassuming but a password keeper (as long as you take the time to fill it with passwords) takes your passwords out of your head, off your desktop, and onto paper in an organized way and that’s one of the many reasons why it’s so fab. Yes–boring and unassuming can be fabulous, too.
Useful
Lotta Light Purse Light $14.99
I’m petite and I prefer to carry a small handbag. But, if you carry a large tote and are often searching your bag for what you need, consider the Lotta Light Purse Light for your handbag scuba diving needs. Useful in other small and dark spaces such as a school locker, gym bag, or tool box. Has a clip and keychain attached for versatility.
ThumbScraper Scraper Tool 2pk/$5.99
Have you ever broken a fingernail or even worse, ruined a manicure while trying to scrape a sticky price tag off a recent purchase? If that has happened to you, you may want to check out the ThumbScraper Scraper Tool. This small tool has a thin edge that slides under adhesive and eliminates the goo so you don’t have to. The days of sacrificing a fingernail for the sake of a price tag are over! (also can be purchased separately for $2.99)
Kikkerland Precision 8-in-1 Screwdriver $7.99
My cousin and his wife are expecting a baby soon. I told them one of the most important gadgets to have when baby arrives is one like the Kikkerland Precision 8-in-1 Screwdriver. I am grateful we had something similar in the tool box when my kids were small. Many of their toys came with batteries and the screws that needed to be unscrewed in order to change the batteries was so small–no regular sized screwdriver was going to do the job. Perfect for new parents!
*The following Coronavirus-useful items are on the stocking stuffer list:
Poo Pourri Hand Sanitizer $4.99
HyGenie Antimicrobial Brass Touch Tool $14.99
Everyday Smart Kit $9.99
KidSmart Kit $9.99
Fun and Cute (and I May Need to Own a Few of These)
Wavy Man $10.99
The Wavy Man is that large, goofy looking fabric tube often found waving or dancing over car dealerships and at trade shows. But, it’s not just for outdoor use! This Wavy Man stands 13″ high–perfect for your home office desk or table top. It’s silly and entertaining–just what we all need in 2020!
Potato Chip and Tortilla Chip Clips 4pk/$9.99
Unless the events of 2020 have led you to eat entire bags of chips (no judgement here…), you’ll need to use something to keep the bag closed after you’ve eaten a few. These Potato Chip Clips (shown above) and Tortilla Chip Clips are a great match for the job!
Chilly Mama Fridge Freshener $9.99
I keep a box of baking soda in my fridge. It’s orange. It hangs out in the back with some infrequently used condiments silently doing it’s job. But, it would be fun to open the fridge door and look beyond yesterday’s leftovers to see the Chilly Mama Fridge Freshener. Fill it with baking soda–it vents from the top and the back. You can set the dial for three months to remind you to replace with a fresh batch of baking soda. I do wish that she had a smile on her face. I know it’s cold in there but it if there’s a little person in my fridge, I’d prefer her to be smiling at me when I open the door to grab a snack…
Kikkerland Dog Treat Selfie Clip $4.99
Is your Instagram feed filled with photos of your dog/cat/ ferret/household pet? Wouldn’t it be great if your furry friend would look at your phone’s camera when you wanted to snap it’s picture? Your chances of getting that shot are higher using the Kikkerland Dog Treat Selfie Clip. I don’t have a pet but I think I should stick a chicken nugget at the end of this selfie clip–then maybe my kids may actually look at the camera when I attempt to take their picture (“Not funny, Mom!” my kids would say. Insert age-appropriate eye roll here).
Really?
Drinking Straw Glasses $3.99
I grew up in the era of Crazy Straws so I can appreciate the novelty of this but for the most part when I drank from my Crazy Straw, I could watch the liquid going around the curves–tons o’ fun! When you’re drinking and wearing the Drinking Straw Glasses you can’t easily see the liquid going around the glasses. It’s really for the entertainment of others. If the Dog Treat Selfie Clip doesn’t get your pet’s attention, maybe try these?
Bought Last Year and Enjoy!
Sombrero Taco Holders 4pk/$9.99
Last year, I not only profiled the Sombrero Taco Holders in my Container Store Stocking Stuffer blog post–I also bought them! Taco Night is very popular in the Murray House and I thought they would be a fun and functional addition to our dinner table. After a year of use, I can honestly say that Taco Night is more colorful and less messy because of the Sombrero Taco Holders. Everyone has a place to rest their tacos for when they want to enjoy the rice, avocado, or other side dishes I serve with the meal. They work with hard shell and soft tacos and wipe clean very easily. If you and your family enjoy eating tacos at home, you may want to consider adding these to your holiday wish list.
Did any of these stocking stuffers pique your interest? Take a few moments to check these and the other stocking stuffers out on The Container Store website. You never know what you’ll find that will make you smile this year. Happy shopping and Happy Holidays!
Which Container Store Stocking Stuffer do you ‘heart’ the most?
Here’s what I know for sure about the month of November: Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of the month and The Container Store Stocking Stuffer catalog is going to be delivered to my doorstep!
I’m lucky to live a short drive away from The Container Store in Paramus, New Jersey. I can do more than just drool over the catalog–I get the chance to see, feel, and experience these Stocking Stuffers at the store.
Since researching for the post I wrote back in 2016, I’ve come to see that the Container Store Stocking Stuffers are less about organizing and more about cute, kitchy, helpful, and the borderline absurd. So, for the season I just roll with it. The Container Store will get back to focusing on organizing products in January and so will I…
For the 2019 edition, I’ve divided the Stocking Stuffers into four categories: Organizing, Functional, Fun, and Why? Just Why?. Grab a pad and a pen–one or more of these may work as stocking stuffers for your family and friends!
Organizing
Taco Tuesday (or tacos any day of the week) is BIG in my house–my nine year old loves them! But, it isn’t always easy stuffing them and keeping them from breaking or imploding. These holders make filling, serving, and eating tacos easy. They are dishwasher-safe and stack one inside the other (how organized!). And cute packaging, too–always a nice perk when giving a gift. I’m going to be buying these and trying them out at my dinner table. They come in red, blue, green and pink–with my husband and two boys in the house, I’ll probably be asked to use the pink one…
A basic organizing principle I teach my clients is, ‘Give Everything a Home.’ A ring usually lives on one’s finger but if it’s nighttime, wash-the-dishes time, or let’s-make-meatballs time, you’re going to want to take it off and have a temporary home for that ring so you’ll know where it is when it’s time to put it back on your finger. The Umbra Ring Holder comes in Llama, French Bulldog, and the ever-popular Unicorn. I’m partial to the Llama–great especially if you wear multiple rings. Maybe they should have made a giraffe?
Functional
I ‘heart’ the OXO company. They make products that are ergonomically comfortable, sturdy, and make people’s lives easier. If someone you know eats at their computer often or their keyboard is a dust magnet, this cleaning brush would probably be well received in a stocking. Looking at my keyboard (and knowing how often I eat in front of it), it wouldn’t be a bad idea if I got one for myself!
Fun
So cute! Makes me hungry just looking at it! Perfect for all ages but I think kids (and adults) wouldn’t mind cleaning their glasses or phones if they had a cloth like this to do it with. Also comes in Pepperoni Pizza, Cinnamon Roll, and Lemon Slice.
No more frayed charging cables! They fit over a cord plug in the exact place where charger cables can show wear and tear. Works with iPhones lightning cables for iPhone 5 or later. They’re all cute but I’m partial to the bug-eyed chameleon…
Even though I’m allergic to wine, I do serve it and cook with it–I would definitely use these in my home. They come in handy for entertaining and for BYOB restaurant dinners. Made of easy-to-clean and easy-to-stretch silicone with witty wine-related messages written on the top. Know someone who likes to drink wine? I think you’ve found a stocking stuffer for them! Definitely an over 21+ kinda stocking stuffer…
Great for car rides or to keep in a purse or back pack for when the kids are getting antsy–this will keep them occupied. Recommended for ages six and older. There’s a wooden stick with a sharp end included. If you know your child can be trusted with it–great. If they’d prefer to use it as a weapon against a sibling or playmate, perhaps this isn’t the best stocking stuffer for them…
If someone you know likes unicorns and has to keep their hair dry in the shower sometimes, this is the stocking stuffer to get them. Comes in Flamingo and Duck styles, too. The last time I mentioned a shower cap in one of my stocking stuffer roundup posts was back in 2013–way before the resurgence of the unicorn’s popularity. Can you guess what animal appears on it? Check here to see if you guessed correctly!
Why? Just Why?
I don’t think I’ve ever had the thought while I’m showering, “Boy, am I thirsty! I wish I had a drink in here.” But, for those of you with a quench for more than just water while getting yourself clean, this would make a good stocking stuffer. As the description states, PLEASE use cans or plastic–do not use with a drinking glass made of glass!
Can someone tell me why these make a good stocking stuffer? What message does this send to the recipient? Just because they’re small does NOT mean they should make an appearance in anyone’s stocking at holiday time–IMHO. They’re 2 oz so they work well for travel–keep one in your toiletries bag and pack it for your next trip. These sprayers got a bunch of 5-star reviews so they must work but please–don’t give it as a gift unless you know the person really wants it. Please...
The rest of the Container Store’s Stocking Stuffer Collection can be found on their website. With 146 to choose from, there’s bound to be something for everyone on your shopping list. Happy shopping!
Which one of this year’s stocking stuffers is your favorite?
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