Boxed Out: Taking Advantage of the Cube to Organize

Keeping your things organized and properly sorted out is a piece of cake if you know how to make use of the most functional organizers in the whole world – boxes. From matchbox-sized ones up to giant “balik-bayan” versions, boxes of all sizes provide the most convenient place for you to stash both your important and unimportant things away from plain sight but safe in storage.

If you do think you’re scoring low in the “organized” meter, then grabbing boxes can be your ultimate power-ups. Boxes come in a variety of sizes and styles. Today, we’ll check out bins that are excellent content-holders for your everyday stuffs.

Multi-functional Storage Boxes

A box of joy for every Filipino family

Storage boxes often come in medium and big sizes as these are designed to contain things in large amount. The typical balikbayan boxes proudly dragged by OFWs upon arriving at the airport or those seen neatly placed in “ukay-ukay” stores are perfect examples of storage boxes. You can stash anything into this container – clothes, shoes, bags, and even documents. However, it’s not advisable to use storage boxes made out of carton for file-keeping since carton is a material weak against water and “insects.”

Plastic storage boxes give excellent protection

Using plastic storage boxes is a much better alternative if you are planning to store away important documents or items since the material is water-resistant and “insect-proof.” However, do consider using recyclable materials for the environment’s sake.

Update: Foldable storage boxes are now available. These cubes can be folded if not used, saving you space!

Shoe Boxes

Small items, gadgets and accessories can be easily stored up in shoe boxes made of plastic or carton. Transparent plastic shoe boxes are often available in department stores and these look very neat and presentable. You can stack multiple shoe boxes on top of each other to make your room well-organized.

Transparent shoe boxes are perfect bins for your accessories and gadgets

Office Boxes

Office boxes are ideal for storing files, documents, and other legal papers. You can spot one in corporate offices placed either on top of desks or beside the computer. Office boxes also come in different styles. Some are big and sturdy enough to carry piles of documents. Others are designed to just cater to a few folders and files. What really sets apart office boxes from the rest is that these file-containers often come with labels and they look really presentable and formal.

Office boxes have stylish labels

Photo and CD boxes

Now your favorite memories and priceless CDs can be stashed away safely with the use of photo and CD boxes, respectively. If you’re tired of using albums and CD racks, you should definitely make that switch.

Other storage bins

Boxes with elaborate designs

Who says that getting organized is boring? Boxes and containers also got a lot of style. In fact, some boxes are used as part of a room’s interior design. If you want more interesting boxes, there are plenty  available online, in home depots, and department stores. You can browse through lifestyle magazines and home improvement brochures to get ideas of how you can maximize the use of boxes as additional decorations in a room.

So, you need to get organized? Box Out!

Note: I don’t own the pictures of boxes in this post. I linked all images to their respective sites. 

Related articles

• Store-M’s Matryoshka Nesting Storage Boxes (neatorama.com)
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• Store Precious Jewelry in a Quality Box, Cabinet or Armoire from WoodBoxShop.com (prweb.com)

Gift Ideas for Someone Who has Everything

I Smell the Month of Merry-Making. . .

Image via Wikipedia

Every time the Yuletide season comes near, I really can’t help but mute-sing this Christmas Song in my head – Christmas in Our Hearts by Jose Marie Chan. Its tune just gives me the perfect air of the season every time I hear it. In fact, it’s so inspiring some of its lyrics are the perfect opening for this blog entry.

“Whenever I see boys and girls selling lanterns on the street… I remember the child… In the manger as he sleeps…Whenever I see people giving gifts… Exchanging cards…I believe that Christmas is truly in their hearts…”

Caught yah! You sang that, did you? Anyway, let’s get down to business and talk about gift-giving – that simple gesture of extending love and care to another being through tangible things. Oh! I’m sorry, did I say simple gesture? Some of you might disagree.

 Behind Every Gift

Gift giving is no way simple and easy, it only looks like “simple and easy” because the act consists of merely handing over a wrapped gift or paper bag. Yet behind that simple “handing over ceremony” are sleepless nights, endless brainstorming sessions, and a poorer wallet on the part of the giver (if he or she is that sincere).

On the positive side though, most of the time gift-giving isn’t really downright difficult. You can always give gifts based on the personality of the receiver. You can also peep through his or her “wishlist” or ask his or her friends for ideas. And when all else fails, you can always resort to the “generic category” – wines, cookies, and the NOTORIOUS, NEVER-ENDING scented candles.

Image via Wikipedia

However, there are really gift-giving situations which call forth a lot of guts and creativity – such as when you are to give something to someone who has everything. Sure, generic finds will suffice. However, unless you want to be labeled a “Grinch-follower” or “effortless Scrooge,” finding a sincere gift for that difficult recipient still matters.

 Unique, Crazy, or DIY Gifts

When it comes to difficult gift-giving cases, I name three things which never fail – always find something unique, personalized or hand-made (by you or someone else). I choose handmade above all else.

Anyway, here are gift ideas I’ve compiled for those who are on the look-out for special things perfect for people who almost have everything.

Scrapbooks

Tap on your creative side; cumulate pictures, knick-knacks, designs, and whatnots then transform these into a cool scrapbook! You can dedicate the book to your travels together, (mis)adventures, and slumber parties. If you’re thinking of a good theme, anything will do – but finding inspiration from scrap-booking sites is not a bad idea.

Spotted at Scrapbook.com

Compile a CD

Image via Wikipedia

Although digitally speaking, CDs are not that popular now as before, it can still be transformed into something unique. How? Through its contents. Burn a CD full of your receiver’s favorite songs. If you wanna add more fun to it, you can take some funny videos with him/her and make a flick.

Photo Album with a Twist

Right now, printed photo albums (also called as photo books) are popular; perhaps because these are so personalized and visually attractive. You can order one from a printing store or online and choose from different album themes and designs. If you’re sick of albums, picture calendars are doable.

 Do-It-Yourself

Getting crafty with your gift is going the extra mile. Handmade pieces always exude a sense of sincerity, hardwork, and creativity when given as a present. I’m sure if you give something as special as your own sweat and blood to someone, he or she will truly love and KEEP it (unless you did what I said literally).

Make your own soap!

Sew Clothes

If needles are your friends, then sewing something up must be a no-brainer for you. Surprise your friends or loved ones by sewing clothes for them! How can you get their sizes? Being resourceful is key. You can ask someone (like a close friend, family, or his/her tailor) for their measurements. Better yet, secretly steal an apparel from their closet! (Yet be sure to bring it back and divulge the whole story after the hand-over).

Bake an Awesome Cake

Cakes have evolved nowadays from being simply an object of appetite into an object of design. If you’re a baking pro then whip up a cupcake or cake with designs that reflect the personality of your friend or loved one. For non-experts, there are always trusty bakers available.

Order cupcakes! 490 Php/dozen

Go ballistic by baking a playable Angry Bird cake! Click image to see how.

Punch in Some Personality

Giving a customized gift is always something out of the ordinary. Just think of what your friend, lover, or loved one’s face will look like after seeing his or her sweet name in an item matching his or her personality. You’ve got an unending list of possible items which can be personalized – from bag holders, to key chains, t-shirts, keepsakes, notebooks, and even undies! If you don’t want to do the items yourself, gift stores are there to the rescue.

Image via Wikipedia

There are still a lot of unique, personalized, and handmade gift-giving ideas available for you to explore and try.However, do remember that the true spirit of Christmas isn’t just about buying expensive presents or giving the most unique ones. The true meaning of sharing is giving with ALL YOUR HEART – no guilty feelings. Plus, if that person you ought to give a present to really does have everything already, you can always turn to intangible things. Besides, real happiness comes without a price tag.

Happy gift-searching this December!

Note: I do not own the pictures posted. All images link to their respective sites. In addition, I was not paid to feature these sites. 

How to Set Up a Rummage Sale

Turn your old stuffs into moolah - get pumpin' up for a Rummage Sale this December!

Don’t throw that thing just yet -

. . . you might still turn it into cash!

Last month, I did a “rush” rummage sale in our neighborhood and raised an amount enough for a little shopping. It all started when I cleaned our house and found out that my family actually hoards tons of old but still useable clothes, toys, bags, and shoes! In fact, most of those clothes are still very “decent-looking” but were just either too small already and outdated that we’re not using it anymore. And since I’m kind of poor during those times, I’ve decided to put up a little rummage sale by the end of the week.

Fortunately, my rummage sale was successful. I was thankful to my family for helping me out and for donating more old clothes to me. I have to admit, throwing a rummage sale requires a lot of sweat, patience, and muscles – but in the long run, the reward is so satisfying!

Image by Joseph Robertson via Flickr

Yes, hoard it first.

So you want to have a rummage sale, eh? I’m not being sarcastic but yeah – unless you have an almost towering pile of useful junk collected, you aren’t ready yet. Do you think you can lure in customers (who are usually passers-by) if you only have ten items displayed? Nada. Think of really huge collections – like a trunk of clothes, a big box full of shoes, a bag collection that’ll make Paris H. envious, and a truckload of knick-knacks. If you’re cooking up your first ever rummage/garage sale, hoard things first. You can also set a particular target date to have your sale to give you ample time to prepare for it. Be sure to take advantage of seasons too – December is usually the most advisable time for rummage sales! Anyway, let me share these few tips and tricks on how to set up a rummage sale and turn your trash into treasure!

Items

Image by smallestbones via Flickr

• Group similar items. After hoarding up all those pre-loved items, the next thing you should do is to group together similar items. For instance, bags, shoes, adult’s clothes, kid’s items, sandals, sneakers, jeans, tops, etc. should be grouped respectively.
• Classify. After grouping together similar items, it’s time to put your assessment skills to the test – you should separate the items according to their condition. New-looking pieces and branded ones should be grouped together and labeled as class A; fairly used ones as class B; and obviously old and worn-out pieces as class C. For severely damaged ones, I suggest you throw them directly into the trash bin to avoid being labeled as — “Garbage Seller.” On the other hand, you can also recycle the damaged item. Classify the items will help you on deciding their should-be prices.
• Decide. Repair or throw away? Sometimes, there are items which are still adorable but have slight damages. If the damage is just a minor tear, something that can be settled with a few stitches – then you can repair it. However, if the item’s damage is too massive, then you should spare yourself from labor and throw it. Too lazy to do fixes? Don’t worry, you can skip repairing the item and just sell it for a low price. However, based from my experience, only a few people actually settle for damaged items even at a low price (unless it’s branded).

Pricing

Image by chrisinplymouth via Flickr

• Set the price right. Pricing your items is a bit tricky – you must really exercise what I call “price scrutiny”. The first thing to remember in placing the price is to base it according to the condition of the item. If you did my previous tip, then this job must be easier for you. Class A items should price higher than the rest since they look good as new. You can raise the price on branded pieces eventhough they’re used already – most customers do prefer buying these things; just do make sure that they’re not yet damaged. Class C items should be the lowest-priced ones and Class B items’ prices can be anywhere between Class A’s and C’s.
• Tag it. I know this may sound meticulous but I suggest that you place a price tag for each item that you have. Don’t ever settle with box labels alone. Customers usually jumble the items up and you’ll never know if your items are still in their correct boxes! I painstakingly did this pricing on my own. I used a masking tape and a black marker.
• Don’t set the digits too low. Be kind to yourself. Although you’re selling old stuffs already, never set the prices too low! Chances are, you wouldn’t profit so well. Remember: customers love to haggle.
•  Ask yourself. If you’re really not sure of what price you’re going to place upon a particular item, do ask yourself this simple question: “If I were the customer – am I willing to buy this item for (state your amount here)?” Plus, asking suggestions from your family members helps in the decision making too.

Location & Advertising

Image by badgreeb fattkatt via Flickr

• Space is important. Be sure to have your display settled in an area not too wide nor too narrow for a garage/rummage sale. Customers would love to have people around, but not too much that they can’t even get in. On the other hand, if the area’s too wide, the whole rummage sale’s set would look too uncrowded and empty – thus giving an impression to passers-by that the items on sale aren’t really interesting.
• Ventilation. Make sure that the place you’ve chosen is not as hot as an oven. Otherwise, you wouldn’t get any customers!
• Secure permits. There are places that require permits for rummage sales, be sure to ask your local office and do process the necessary permits asap (if needed). Good thing rummage sales in our area don’t need permits anymore.
• Spread the word. You can make a big banner weeks before your target rummage date so that people will get excited and will prepare moolah for your sale. Plus, sending messages to your friends via SMS or social networking sites is also a good way to advertise! Just keep the rumor mill going about your BIG sale and you’ll be surprised your whole neighborhood’s there for the opening!

Final Note

On the day of the sale, be sure to prepare yourself physically because you’ll definitely burn some energy up! Chug up a lot of water to keep you well-hydrated to speak to customers and deal with their endless questions and haggling. Be earth friendly too and use reusable shopping bags or brown bags instead of plastic when handing out items to your customers. And lastly, don’t forget to share your blessings. Rummage sales are usually done for charity reasons – so if yours went successful, donate a portion of the proceeds to any charitable institution you like.

Well, I think I’ve wrapped up all I wanted to say. If you’ve got any questions, you can send me a quick comment and I’d be happy to help.

Related articles

• 5 Things to Buy Used (money.usnews.com)
• Money in Your Pocket: Tips for Hosting a Garage Sale (apartmenttherapy.com)
• Garage Sale: To Price or Not to Price? (aarp.org)
• The Yard Sale of Ideas (shoreacres.wordpress.com)
• 7 tips on finding gems at yard sales (today.msnbc.msn.com)
• Recycle -old clothes, old toys, old posts…. (leonsmom.wordpress.com)