Ok, people! Help me out! What do I do with clementine boxes?
I've got 4 of these boxes, and I'm not quite sure what to do with them. From what I can tell, they can't be recycled here, but it seems sort of wrong to just throw away a wooden box.
If I had a fireplace, I'd just use the boxes as kindling, but alas, my house lacks a chimney (and a fireplace).
I'm already using one to store the girls' bath fizzers (scroll down that post to see the photo) and I don't really have a need for more clementine storage boxes and none of the clementine box crafts I've found online appeal to me much.
So, should I offer them on Freecycle? Or do you have a really fabulous re-use idea for me?
Today's 365 post: A much-loved Saturday afternoon task
Growing boxes for veggies, flowers. Yes, I'd offer them on Freecycle if you can't use them. : )
Good for starting/growing/gifting plants OR picking them up from the garden center. Maybe a gardener or garden center near you would appreciate them, or ask a grower at a farmers' market (if you have one near you) if they can use them.
I have used them to make little baby doll beds in the past. They are the perfect size. 🙂
Make little stacks of kindling and give them as gifts to people who have fireplaces.
Hmm, I'd either cover them in deco fabric or paper and use them as storage containers, or you could use them as mini-raised gardening beds. But if you don't have any use for them, definitely see if you can find someone else who could use them.
You could use them to deliver a meal to someone in need.
Just line the box with a themed towel etc and include it as part of the gift.
Bake up some muffins, cookies or cake line the box give to a teacher, police department etc. You could make a kid themed also
I agree with freecycle too. I might keep one to put fresh picked summer veggies in.
I would just give them to you kids to play with for a while. I had one when I was little that I LOVED. I sewed little bedding for it and used it as a bed for my stuffed animals and babies. In the summer, I took it outside and put it in the bushes and pretended it was a tree house for my beanie babies. I took it up in my climbing tree and used it to hold and drink and snack and sat up there for hours reading. I tied little ropes on my and we would load it with stuff and pull it up into the tree. Not to mention the necessary decoration of it. Such as covering it with construction paper or painting it. There are a ton of fun things your kids could find to do with them. I'd just turn them loose with the boxes and not worry about it too much.
I'd use them to plant things.
I use 2 to store spices in, in my over-stove cabinets. I use a few in my pantry that hold kids art supplies. I like the retro way they look. If you don't like that, I'd offer them on freecycle, because some people do like that look.
I'd use them as planters, whether for smallish plants or starting seeds. My potting shed is also on my To Do list for organization, so I'd make use of them there, to corral my tools and such. But if you don't have a use for them, I'm with the other folks who said freecycle them!!
I'm also going to say Freecycle. You can't use them so instead of trying to invent a use just get rid of them. They are clutter for you now but for someone else they may be of use.
I would paint them a fun color and use them as storage for things like small toys, bath products, etc. Or I wonder if you could donate them to a farmer's market. I know they often reuse egg cartons so maybe they could sell produce boxes with them.
keep them the way they are or spray paint them and use them as gift baskets.
I agree, it feels very wrong to throw out wood.
If you guys build with wood, this is good construction material - either whole or broken down.
I painted mine green[1] and used them to make raised-as-they-grow beds for potatoes. They don't stack up evenly but they looked good enough to use in my front yard. They're not really the right size for container gardening, which is geared to 1 food squares, but you can make it work with a little math. Got anyone who needs some math practice? Put them in the garden upside down, using the posts to anchor the boxes in the ground.
Or Freecycle.
[1] The paint was garden-safe.
I make sure all the loose paper and staples are off (or pounded in), then spray paint them and use them as gift boxes/baskets.
You could use the wood to make birdhouses or other wood project with the kids. You could also use them to make your own fruit assortments to give out for Christmas gifts.a
Do you eat canned food? How do the can height's compare to the box height? Can you use them to stack cans better in a cabinet?
In the past, I've bought a lamp-making kit (Home Depot ~$7) and made the crate into a funky lamp. Just drill, or gouge (I don't have a drill, but the wood is thin) a hole in the top for the lamp stem (whatever it's called) and then assemble. It's super-easy, and your kids could probably do it themselves if they're so inclined. I bought a blue lightbulb, and left it bare, or you could also create some kind of shade pretty easily.
Otherwise, freecycle, or as some kind of organizer box, that's where mine end up 🙂
I saw a craft for them the other day that looked cute. You put old fashioned clothes pins all around the edge (the ones without the spring) and then paint the entire thing green. It looks like a picket fence and you can use it as a planter.
Maybe Joshua would be interested in building stuff with them? I don't know if he's into woodwork stuff, but maybe even your girls would enjoy pulling them apart and creating whatever with nails and a hammer!
Planters!
Especially for seedlings. They would make a great place to start spring veggies.
You could also paint/decorate them and use as a gift basket with fresh veggies at the end of summer.
I had a bunch of these too. I actually cut up an old Vargas(30's pin up) girls calender and pasted them in the bottom and then strung different vintage ribbon through them and hung them in a set on the wall. They turned out really cute you could print out any vintage farm picks etc they look really cute in a country/ shabby chic kitchen or bath.
I would say they would make adorable 4 poster beds for all the build a bears...in fact, I'm wishing I had some so I could make a few beds over here, lol
Clean and wrapped or painted, with maybe a little straw-type stuffing...could be nice gift "baskets" for some of your baked goods. I have a stamp set that has produce crate-related puns like "You're so SWEET CORN" and "You're a Peach" and "Thanks a BUNCH" that would go perfectly for a Thank you gift.
I agree with the planter idea. I would use them to start vegetable seedlings that can then be transferred to regular garden beds. They have nice wood pieces to attach screen to keep the birds out.
#1 Buy them in cardboard boxes and recycle them. I despise those wooden boxes for the very problem you mention. Sometimes I just take the net bag home and leave the container for the store to deal with. I'm not saying I can guarantee what the do with them, but I'm not taking home another thing to worry about. I do find that Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are pretty responsible about things like this.
#2 For the ones you have, I vote for finding a friend with a fire pit. All the arts and craft ideas are great, but you'll have that project on your hands everytime you buy oranges. Boo hiss to THAT! I want to be efficient with my time too.
(I did use one crate as a bin for the kids "tools" and scraps of recycled items for making their impromptu creations. But THAT was in a basement workroom that I didn't have to look at. Let's face it! Those crates are pretty ugly!
But it was only ONE box, which leads me back to my original suggestion.
What I want to know is why the box is necessary in the first place? Other oranges ship without a box. They must be more fragile. I bet half of the price you are paying is for that silly crate and "Shipping and Handling"
We LOVE "Cuties" in our house but all this doesmake me consider whether they can qualify as a regular purchase.
I just took mine off the shelf yesterday wondering what on earth I am going to do with them as well...I think I am going to try sewing fabric around them, adding buttons to wrap clothing at Christmas instead of cardboard boxes.
My kids love the oranges, but I have only found one place that sells them in cardboard but rarely has them in.
The idea of kindling in packages is a great idea! All of our neighbours have fireplaces as well...it would be a cute Christmas gift to leave them on their doorstep with a little note:)
I have a woodstove so I'd love to get kindling as a present! Or find it on Craig's List not-broken-down...
I meant of course Freecycle not Craigslist...
These boxes are the perfect size for filling with all those little hats, gloves and scarves. We would have the kids decorate the outside to indentify the contents and then keep it on a shelf in the garage. So much easier for them to find their winter items quickly when going outside or when they come back in seeking another pair of mittens when theirs becomes to wet.
1. Remove one of the long sides. Just remove the staples with a pair of pliers then
stack the crates on top of each other to make a great storage option for papers. We made one to use at church in our supply cabinet to separate colors of construction paper, foamie sheets and felt. Tip: when you remove the side piece save it and glue it underneath the front side for added stability. Do this on each 'shelf'. It works like a charm. We did go back and paint the front of the 'shelves' to match the paper that is stored there. Makes it very easy for kids to put the paper back where it belongs!
2. Make a super easy doll bed. Paint the crate/bed . Make a cheap mattress with fabric scraps. Also make a pillow and a little blanket or quilt. Presto, instant doll or stuffed animal bed. You can also glue wood beads to the bottom for 'feet' and cheap dish cloths from the dollar store make great blankets. I even buy throw pillows from thrift stores and garage sales (in good condition of course) so that I can use the fiberfill for craft projects!
3. Easy planters/container gardens. Line the bottom with several thicknesses of newspaper making sure to have enough to cover the sides. Then put in potting soil and your plants. Makes a really great herb garden and looks beautiful with low growing flowers like Pansys. We gave a few away for gifts last year.
4. Parts for crafts. The sides are great for making the base for a puppet's mouth because cheap light weight wood is best. Cutting with a dremel tool or even a utility knife is possible. Making tiny dollhouse furniture with it is perfect. I love getting free wood for all of our projects. Sometimes we just take them apart, discard the staples and stack the pieces until we need them. We homeschool also so we can always find a use for free wood! The possibilities are endless.
When I buy clementines, I grab the bag and leave the box at the store.
I think you should put them on freecycle.
Katy
Alas, that is not always an option at my stores. Boo.
Nor mine, as the barcode is on the box.
i've grown salad leaves in similar sized plastic crates, just line with thick newspaper or reuse a compost bag if there are big gaps in the bottom or sides.
I think you should paint them and give them to the kids to use as a "boat" or "home" for their little animals they love so much. You could even tie them together and make a "train" for them 🙂
I use it to store snack bars, snack packs, crackers, pouches of of homemade hot cocoa/mocha, etc. Anything that's small and confine it in there, then place it in one of the kitchen storage cabinets.
I have three ideas:
Paint them and make them little tables for dolls tea parties.
Find a fun fabric and maybe some batting and make little footstools for the kids.
Decorate them and use them as Easter baskets since Easter is right around the corner.
Oh,I know a great blog where this very idea was offered in a photo tutorial by the fabulous blogger, Leila, at ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com, which is kind of a lovely corollary to yours. In fact, did you in some way direct us to her in an earlier blog? Anyway, she took clementine boxes and created frugal shelving for her pantry, kind of like Mari's idea above -- something to check out. Lots of pictures, too!
Actually, in the Alcottization of blog personalities, i see you as a combo of Jo and Meg -- Meg's calm, lovely housewifery (after the unannounced visit by John's friend, of course!) and Jo's feisty, smart writer/thinker/iconoclast. And I always see Leila as Marmee. I am working on the Jane Austen comparisons 🙂 Anyway, my two favorite blogs are referencing each other sideways sort of. Also, Donna Freedman's funny frugal blog. I only read FG regularly, but these are lovely gems, too.
Sorry -- could not resist this! Cheers!
I had no idea personally, but Google had two ideas!
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/green-ideas/what-to-do-with-clementine-boxes-069738 - Planter boxes!
and/or
http://www.funinthemaking.net/2010/10/16/doll-beds-clementine-boxes/ - Doll beds!
So cute too, makes me wish my daughter wasn't a teen already:(
Anyways, good luck!
love these two ideas!!
My first thought was "Plant 'em up!" Fun project for everyone and they'll be beautiful later. Strawberries, short zinnias, marigolds, lettuce,moss...anything you like. Put three or four layers of newspaper in the bottom to keep soil from spilling out. When you're finished with them, maybe they'll be compostable.
I'm not sure if you guys have a garden or not, but if you do, those might be great for storing potatoes.
I have used them as gift boxes in the past. I apply wrapping paper all around the outside, a little tricky, but can be done. Then fill them with gifts, such as homemade bagels and jam or cookies. At Easter time I put in Easter grass then fill them. At Christmas I use that green paper shreds from fruit as a base for the bottom.
The foremost thought - is this an item you want to keep?
If not, it needs to go where it will be utilized over and over.
If you need storage containers: patch, decorate and stack
Give it to a school, senior home, adult daycare, aftero-school program, community harvest organization for an indoor planting project. Turn it-over, put holes in the bottom for air-drying items or weave string in between the wooden posts for other air-drying items. Decorate it as a wall jewelry caddy. Or stack it as a CD caddy.
In my studio, I use this item as project completion caddies. Since I deal with small projects, I put the date of the deadline, the project item.
I would totally Freecycle them- I love being able to give things a new home and love finding things on Freecycle that I need
I also like the ideas for plants, gift boxes, etc.
Or use the fact that they stack, cut away one of the sides, spray paint them black and use them for stacked storage trays in your office
I have one to corral my Tupperware/Pyrex lids. We don't need more than one for this purpose, so the others have gone into the woodstove -- as others have suggested, Freecycle!
Man oh man....I would love to put these to good use. I have never seen this type of box for clementines. Ours are only sold in bags. So many crafty ideas...love it.
What did they kids say???!!!!
I like to use mine to keep my cupboards organized.
Also, you could use them to make mailboxes or drop boxes for your kids - one for each child for random stuff you find around the house and want them to put away.
I also like the idea of deconstructing them and using the pieces for craft projects - maybe a picture frame or nameplate for a bedroom door?
CD/DVD storage
All the other suggestions I had were mentioned already 🙂
I too would have to say there are probably a million uses in a garden! Or go the free cycle way, my Mom would die and love to stumble upon something like that. She keeps tomato boxes like they are gold! But there are plenty of people that like to do their decor in that whole farm/country style that would totally appreciate it if you can not find a use for such treasures!!
paint them and use them on the top shelf in yours or your childrens closets. Then put a label or paint on the front to say what in in them (ie. winter hats )
Well, i use them to pack my children little tresors that are not in the good side of the house; there is one for each kid and when i'm cleaning i put the things they left in the living room and put the boxes next the stairs so when they go to their bedroom they pack their boxes, i use them to store my gardens fruit and preduce, and two years ago we paint them to collect earstn eggs. voilí , here are the things i do with those great little wood boxes.
Ok, now you have to tell us what you picked!
I am currently using one to make a rigid bottom in a cloth shopping bag.
I never thought about putting them in the fireplace. Thanks, everyone!
I did find bag-only clementines at Harris teeter. Same brand as the crated ones, right next to one another!
love the doll bed and gift box ideas. Decorated by your kids, could use them stacked to house their art/craft supplies. But personally, I'd probably go with the "ask around to give away at farmer's market" idea; less labor involved! 😉
A couple of Christmases ago (not as a Chrsitmas gift, but an advent activity)I gave my girls craft clothes pins, fabric, embroidery floss and a clementine box each. They got very creative and made their clothes pins into dolls and the boxes into houses for their dolls. They spent hours designing dolls and houses, and many more hours playing with said dolls and houses. It turns out that those "credit cards" that come in credit card offers make great flat panel, wall mounted TVs for a doll house. LOL
Since you kids like those little eraser toys they might like to make houses for them. Just a thought. I just bought some fat quarters (for quilting) which they used to make curtains, bedding, flooring, etc. They also found other useful items like a spare lug nut which they hot glued a small piece of cardboard (I think) to and then covered that with fabric. Voila! An instant table!
Hope you get some helpful suggestions of how to use these boxes.
Freecycle for sure. Or, put them near the end of your driveway with a little "Free" sign and they will disappear in no time. Someone will want them and have a use for them.
The boxes are perfect for chitting (preparing) potato spuds.
The first thing that came to mind when I saw them was mini garden boxes. Placed in various places in your yard, they could become mini herb gardens. Sure, the sides will deteriorate over time, but for a season or 2 they would be nice to grow small plots of flowers, veggies or herbs. You can even line them with garbage bags and put the dirt in them (perhaps rocks on the bottom for nice drainage area) if you only have a deck or patio to set them on.
I would make them into paper recycle bins, toy bins or supply bins. I would decorate and paint them. You can add on to them too.
I have done a few things:
1. Give to the kids to play with/craft with. They beg for the crates.
2. Use them as gift baskets
3. Use them as storage containers
I too use them in my pantry. I use one to keep snacks inside. I just pick up the box and carry it to the counter. {nuts, crackers, candy bars etc} I use another to store boxes of tea. Same thing, when I'm ready for a cup of tea, I bring the crate out of the pantry and choose my flavor.
I agree, you must let us know which idea you chose!
You said you couldn't leave it on the shelf at your store, but will they take it at checkout for recycling? My stores always ask if I would like them to take care of the box. They take both the wooden boxes and the cardboard boxes. The cashier at one store said they recycle them. Whether that means sending them to the seller for reuse or actual recycling, I'm not sure. I should ask that next time.
When i was still living at home I hung them up on the wall and used them as shelves so I could display little trinkets and souveniors from things I had done or places I had gone. Now that I'm older, I still do that but I paint them so they look nicer.
Here are a few of my ideas, sorry if someone already said it:
1) a small garden for each of the kids that they can take care of.
2) with some paint and a cushion, it would make a great doll bed for your girls or as a gift
3)Bird feeder
Can't wait to see if you do something with them 🙂
http://shealynns-faerie-shoppe.blogspot.com/2011/02/tutorial-orange-crate-ribbon-holder.html
I thought this was a great idea.
I'm surprised they are still using the wooden boxes. In our grocery stores here, the boxes are made of cardboard and can be easily recycled (or you can leave the box and just grab the bag since the barcode is on the bag). I would paint some and use them for growing herbs or for the kids stuffed animals. I'd give each kid one to decorate/paint however they wanted and then use them to store things in their rooms. I'm sure you'll figure out something for them.
It cracked me up to hear that so many people can't bear to throw away clementine crates! I'll admit to having a few of my own:) So this post inspired me to step up to the plate. This weekend, we stapled several in between the joists in our cellar stairwell to make little shelves for the small items we store in that area. Very successful, and they go great with the wine corks I've been slowly gluing to the stairwell walls - but that's another project! I do also use some to store small items on our large cellar storage shelves, and the surplus will go into the firepit this summer.
I have the ones made of heavy cardboard, and I use them in two tall cupboards (i.e., no shelves) to organize canned goods. Maybe the wood ones would stack in a cupboard so you could use up any unused vertical space?
For me, it's simply easier to pull a box toward you and take the can you want vs. fumbling back through the stockpile.
Send them to my daughter!!!! She is using them on the tables at her outdoor fruit and berry inspired WEDDING, and we need more and I am scouring the internet and cannot find any at all.
Please reply if you have any or know where I can get some. I will gladly pay postage. Wedding is in late July. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Make a birdhouse
Store Xmas ornaments that you don't want smashed/crushed in them.