Michelle from Nebraska emailed me with some creative ideas for repurposing the plastic index card cases which are on sale for only $0.39 at Walgreens this week. Here were her ideas:
Creative Uses for Plastic Index Card Cases
- Mom’s Purse Emergency Kit: could include chocolate, nail file, Tylenol, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, lip gloss, hair band, Kleenex, gum, etc.
- Office Supplies For a Backpack or Laptop Bag: could include binder clips, paperclips, glue stick, scissors, correction tape, rubber bands, etc.
- A Small Coupon Organizer (the cases come with 5 small divider tabs)
- On-the-Go Writing Kit: could include memo pad (on sale for $0.19 at Walgreens this week), stickers, crayons or pencils. I plan on putting some of these together for stocking stuffers.
- Snacks Packs: fruit roll-ups, granola bars, etc. (Have them put together and handy to grab and go.)
- Mini First Aid Kit: could include bandages, Neosporin, etc.
- Emergency Sewing Kit: could include needles, thread, buttons, thimble, needle threader, small scissors, etc.
- Flashcard Organizer
The possibilities are endless! If you want to get really creative, you could decorate the outside of the cases with foam letters, glitter glue, and stickers.
What other ideas do you have for using these plastic index card cases?
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I use one to organize my gift cards and rebate cards so they don’t end up cluttering my wallet.
I can never find anything in my purse.These ideas will help me get more organized.Thank you
What great ideas!! Thank you!
I use the index cards on a spiral ring to write down meaningful Bible verses (I heard about this in a Beth Moore study a few years ago). After reading my Bible in the morning, I put the index cards in my windowsill so I can read my verse all day. Maybe I can do something like that for my purse. Regular index cards are very inexpensive this time of year.
Here’s another idea for Puzzle Pictures:
-Make a copy of photographs of friends and family.
-Cut the photographs into an even number of pieces (fewer if your children are REALLY young).
-Put the pieces in the index card holder for an instant puzzle for your little one!
*See other creative and fun family ideas at http://www.icanteachmychild.com*
I make my own greeting cards and gift tags with scrapbook supplies and store them in one of these so that they don’t get bent. Then whenever I need a birthday card I can just look in my box and I don’t have to worry about running to the store.
Great ideas. I like the snack one because I always have smashed snacks in the purse.
awesome ideas!!! i might use them for coupons!!
I make hand made jewelry and I’m thinking these would make great reusable gift boxes
Looks like they even have a business card holder on the front.
I use them for grab bags
example: stickers, candy and a small toy
I use an index card case like this to help me organize coupons for the week. Each Sunday I look through the ads and figure out what purchases I need to make at each store, then I pull the coupons from my stash that correspond with the deals and put all of the coupons for each store in a seperate file in the card case. I’ve got sections for CVS, Walgreens, Target, Walmart, etc. And I keep the front section for coupons that I can use at any store, like frees, etc. Helps keep me organized so that when I run into a store for a couple of things, I know exactly where my coupons are.
I have used these as photo organizers when I am planning scrapbook pages. They are easy to take to the scrapbooking store so you can find the right paper and stickers to go with your photos.
Love these ideas! I passed these up at Walgreens thinking I would never use them. I think I’ll go back and pick some up.
I saw another idea on a blog recently…using these for a teacher ‘emergency desk kit’ : Mints, gum, travel size advil, tea bag/individual water bottle flavoring, chocolate, nail file, etc….things that you always need but never have.
@Melony Davis, This is perfect for a Holiday gift for the teachers and assistants. thanks for sharing!
@Melony Davis, Great idea. I was trying to figure out what to get my teaching team as a welcome back gift. This is super. Thanks.
They can be used to put a few recipes in them as gifts to a new young wife….I plan on using mine as the snacks and Bible verses as mentioned great ideas!!!
@Shlonda, great idea Shlonda! I make gift bags for Christmas and it would be something unique to put recipes in!
I’m going to make the first aid kit for my niece who leaves for college in a month.
I love the idea of using them for snacks. Plus my daughter just leaves to have things to put things in (she is only 3 and has more purses and bag than me ) so she just likes to play with them.
You have some of the most creative readers and uncreative me really thanks those creative readers whom send you their ideas!! I LOVE THIS ONE!!! I will be RUNNING to Wallgreens tomorrow!
I agree!
I love the “emergency teacher kit” idea, except I’m going to switch it up to an “emergency nurse kit”. I’ll probably put a lot of the same things in, and I know that myself and my co-workers would love it! I also love the idea of organizing photos for scrapbooking-I’ve been looking for something just like this! Thanks for the ideas!
i like to use these for restaurant coupons.
I like the crayons in the index box. The cardboard boxes crayons come in never hold up.
My husband works on computers so he has a multitude of small screws and plastic pieces. I’m hoping I can talk him into organizing all of his small extra parts into these little files and them organize them on a bookshelf.
My mother and I work at the same office and we’re always sneaking and putting goodies on each others desks. This would be a great for us to trade back and forth.
Being a teacher myself, I would LOVE to get one of these. Add a few quarters and you will be a HERO for your child’s teacher! I am always looking for spare change to use when I make a quick run to the vending machines at school on super-stressful days! It makes a very inexpensive, but MUCH appreciated gift–especially if you include a little note letting the teacher know how much you appreciate them and encouraging them to treat themselves to a vending machine treat!
@Lisa, I agree! Even the tiniest thing from a student can make my day! Something like this would be awesome! The quarters are also a great addition! They’re never around when you need them!
Teachers could use these for sight words storage, for individual students.
They can also be used for vocabulary help — when you come across a new or unfamiliar word, write it on a card, look up a definition, then put in your “vocabulary/thesaurus box”. These are great references when students work on their writing. I had my students circle any of their vocab words they used in their writing… When I saw this on their paper, I would put a check on the front of their card. After five checks, they earn a trip to the prize box.
So, if you want to help your child’s teacher out, help him/her stock up on these boxes — they’re fantastic!! (Oh, and some index cards, too.)
)
@Barbara Burns, As a former teacher myself, I was just thinking how wonderful it would be for a parent to make up a flash card set or sight word set in one of these boxes for each of the kids in the class. What a fantastic and inexpensive way to really help out your child’s teacher!!!
How about using them for all those pony tail holders/hair clips that get stuck everywhere??
I will be getting some of these tomorrow! I have a LOT of purses that I use on a regular basis depending on how long the outing is. I could have one of these in every purse ready to go with the little things I always need (gum, Tylenol, mints, lip gloss etc).
@Ashlee, When I read your purse comment I had to laugh, I feel like I am *constantly* shuffling all my purse stuff from one to the next! Good idea . . . I’ll be going to Walgreens tomorrow
i LOVe this!
I use one to keep up with all my receipts as I’m buying Christmas gifts. I use the dividers to keep various parts of the family organized — one section for my husband and kids, one for extended family on my side, one for extended family on my husband’s side, one for friends and one for teachers, Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, etc. Even if I buy things throughout the year, keeping them all in a specific index card organizer means I always know where to find the receipt if it’s needed.
awesome! Thanks!
Oh, tampon holder for my purse. With a diaper bag and purse to tote around I always end up fishing for one in the bottom. Plus I love all these other ideas:)
I use mine for my Dave Ramsey “cash envelopes.” I have seperate categories that each have their own section. I fill it each month with cash divided into the categories. Works for me, frugal and lasts longer than paper envelopes or any other system that I’ve purchased.
@Ramona,
Best idea I have heard so far.. I looked @ these and thought I couldn’t find anything to use them for… Now I can.. Thanks
When I saw how you had them laid out on the table, I thought how cool it would be to mount them to the wall like that. For only a few dollars you could make a family message center or mail/bill sorting center. And even just sitting empty, they would look pretty.
Great ideas!
Think I’ll start making some up for stocking stuffers & I know a few teachers that could use the emergency kits.
I have been leaving my coupon binder at home & using the pencil zipper pouch. I find that I can never easily find the Q I need cause the bag is too big & flimsy. Think I will try one of these out for a quick trip coupon holder (can’t beat the price)
What great ideas…I’m stealing the one for the laptop bag. GENIUS! Will certainly make that a little easier, my case right now has paper clips, pens, markers all sitting willynilly in it.
Awesome! I was planning on skipping Wags this week, but with all these great ideas I’m going tomorrow.
Goes great with all the Wal Mart school supply sales this week too…
This is great! You could make just about anything as a little kit for gifts! I made a basket full of stuff as a “bridal emergency kit” for my sister in law’s shower, but you could make little ones with these, or even kits for bridesmaids, or anyone really. For the bride/bridesmades, it could have things like wet wipes, q tips, safety and bobby pins, comb, mini mirror, lip gloss, mints, etc.
Maybe these could be used for people who use the envelope system as a more durable way to store your cash.
@Melissa, Excellent idea!!
SO happy to see this!
I am going to pick some up to use as birthday party gift bags. Last year I used plastic pencil boxes, and had no idea what to do this year for my daughter’s end of August birthday! Thanks!
I use them for all the different cosmetics I’ve accumulated over the years, separated by type and color, ie., one has eyeshadows in tones of blue, another has pink hued lipsticks/glosses, another holds little sample perfumes. Endless ways of sorting and so much quicker finding what you need when time is at a premium.
I use them for all the different cosmetics I’ve accumulated over the years, separated by type and color, ie., one has eyeshadows in tones of blue, another has pink hued lipsticks/glosses, another holds little sample perfumes.
I use them for all the different cosmetics I’ve accumulated over the years, separated by type and color
Wow! Such fabulous ideas from all you ladies! I’m stealing them all! Thanks!
So many great ideas, thanks!
These would be great with magnets glued to the back of them and hung on the refrigerator
OR
Attaching velcro strips to a solid picture frame or a piece of plywood and attaching velcro dots to the back of the plastic storage boxes, and hanging them on the wall.
Wow, thanks for all of the ideas. We are going on a long road trip and I love the snack idea. I am going down to Walgreens to buy some of these so that everyone can have their own little snack container.
Loving all these great ideas… You could also use them to contain all those gift tags at Christmastime.
These are the greatest ideas!!! My son will love this, we’re planning on making little kits to use as stocking stuffers this year. THANKS so much for including this.
I dont know what an index card holder is…..you mean like a recipe box?
@nanasewn,
It’s a plastic box that snaps shut and holds about a full pack of index cards and is just a little bigger than a pack of index cards.
These would work well for gift giving if the main part of the gift was a gift card to slip in the little clear pocket. Recipes with grocery gift card, baby safety items or travel size w/card, beauty and cosmetics, arts and crafts, snacks with movie card and lots more. Gives some physical “heft” to your gc without spending a bunch a silly holder.
@Nicole, Nice ideas Nicole! That really makes a gift card a lot more personal. Love it and will use it!!
Thanks!
I’m keeping one in our car to hold our insurance and registration cards, EZ Pass and maybe a $10 bill for emergencies!
The budget envelopes are a fantastic idea!!!! I also find paper envelopes to be less than sturdy.
does anyone know when this goes off sale?
I believe these are only on sale through Saturday.
I think they would make a great “airplane kit” as well, especially international travel. I would include floss, earplugs, lip balm, mini mascara, gum/mints, Clean & Clear oil absorbing sheets, travel toothbrush and toothpaste, hair bands, bobbie pens, an eye mask and a PocketBac from Bath and Body Works! This would make a cute gift for someone who is going on a trip! Glad you posted about this!
Ok, now I am wishing we had a Walgreens close by, just to be able to make these cute and handy kits! These are great ideas!
These would be great for carrying Scripture memory verse cards around… I like to write my memory verses on 3×5 cards to have handy throughout the day.
Love all the great ideas! How would you use one as your money envelope? If for several categories, how would you divide the money within the holder? Or would you just use one for each category? Help!!
@Susan,
Most have dividers in them. If so, you label the divider and put the cash belonging in each category behind the appropriate divider. If not, you can make dividers using card stock or even more frugal would be construction paper. I use one and have extra dividers in mine.
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