Things to Never Throw Away: 16 Everyday Items That Turn Into Useful Crafts

Things to never throw away are hiding in your kitchen trash right now, and most of us toss them without a second thought. Our grandparents knew better. They saved jars, buttons, tins and scraps because every one of them could become something useful later. That habit is back in a big way. Videos about everyday items you should keep have pulled in millions of views, and just this week Southern Living shared a list of treasures from grandma’s house that people should hold on to. With the holidays coming and budgets tight, saving a few things from the bin can give you free gift jars, ornaments, tags and storage. Below are the ones we love most, each with a simple project you can make this week..

Things to Never Throw Away Start With One Crowded Craft Table

Look at this table and you would never guess that nearly everything on it came out of the recycling bin. Jars hold cookies and buttons, a pile of wine corks became a trivet, cereal boxes turned into pretty magazine files and old cards became gift tags. Even a milk jug got a second life. None of it cost much more than a little glue and some time. Once you start seeing your trash this way, it is hard to stop. Which of these things are already sitting in your kitchen right now..

You will need: a box for saving clean items, a glue stick, scissors, ribbon, scrap paper, a little paint.

How to make it: 1. Set a box in a closet just for clean jars, corks, cards and boxes. 2. Rinse and dry everything before it goes in. 3. Pick one project from this list each weekend.

Foam Food Trays Become Printing Stamps

The flat foam trays that come under fruit and vegetables are perfect for printmaking. Wash one, cut off the edges and press a design into it with a dull pencil. Roll a little paint over the top, press it onto paper and you have a print. Leaves, stars and snowflakes work well for homemade cards and wrapping paper. Kids love this one because every print comes out a little different. It is easily one of the most fun things to never throw away. What design would you carve first?

You will need: a clean foam produce tray, scissors, a dull pencil, acrylic or block printing paint, a small roller or sponge, paper.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the tray and cut off the curved edges. 2. Press your design into the foam with the pencil. 3. Roll on paint, press onto paper and lift carefully.

Eggshells Make Tiny Seed Starters

Before you crack eggs into the bowl, try to break them near the top so you keep a nice deep half. Rinse the shells, poke a tiny hole in the bottom with a pin, fill them with soil and drop in a seed or two. They sit perfectly in the carton on a sunny windowsill. When the seedlings are big enough, you can crush the shell gently and plant the whole thing in the garden. Herbs and flowers both work well. Will you start a few for spring?

You will need: eggshell halves, the egg carton, potting soil, a pin, small seeds, a spray bottle of water.

How to make it: 1. Rinse the shells and poke a small hole in each bottom. 2. Fill with soil, add seeds and set them in the carton. 3. Mist with water and keep them in a sunny window.

Used Tea Bags Give Paper a Vintage Look

Do not toss that tea bag after your afternoon cup. Squeeze it out and dab it over plain white paper, and in a few minutes the paper turns a warm, old fashioned brown. Crumple it first for an even more aged look. Once dry, these sheets are lovely for journals, scrapbooks, recipe cards and old style gift tags. Many crafters keep a jar of used tea bags in the fridge just for this. It is a sweet and simple way to add charm for free. What would you write on paper like this?

You will need: used tea bags, plain white paper, a baking tray, paper towels, twine.

How to make it: 1. Lay the paper on a tray and dab the damp tea bag all over it. 2. Add a second coat on the edges for a darker frame. 3. Let it dry flat, then tie the sheets into a small journal.

Milk Jugs Turn Into Watering Cans

A plastic milk jug already has a handle and a lid, which makes it a natural watering can. Rinse it well, poke a few small holes in the cap and paint some cheerful flowers on the sides. It is light enough for little hands, so it is a great way to get kids helping in the garden. You can also keep one by the houseplants so watering is quick. This might be one of the most useful things to never throw away if you love plants. Which plants would you water with it first?

You will need: a clean plastic milk jug, a thumbtack or small nail, outdoor acrylic paint, a small brush.

How to make it: 1. Wash the jug and the cap well. 2. Ask an adult to poke six small holes in the cap. 3. Paint flowers on the jug, let dry and fill with water.

Things to Never Throw Away Before December: Coffee Cans

Sturdy coffee cans are perfect for storing delicate ornaments. They stack well, the lid keeps dust out, and the round shape protects glass balls better than a flimsy box. Wrap each can in festive fabric so they look nice on the shelf, then nest the ornaments in tissue paper inside. Sort them by color or by room so decorating next year goes faster. It is one of those things to never throw away that pays you back every December. How many cans would your ornaments fill?

You will need: empty coffee cans with lids, fabric scraps, fabric glue or double sided tape, tissue paper.

How to make it: 1. Wash and dry the cans and lids. 2. Wrap each can in fabric and glue the seam. 3. Wrap ornaments in tissue, fill the cans and snap the lids on.

Things to Never Throw Away at Christmas: Glass Jars

Pasta sauce, jam and pickle jars are free gift containers waiting to happen. Soak off the labels, give them a good wash and fill them with cookies, cocoa mix or candy. Cover the lids with a circle of fabric, tie on a ribbon and a kraft tag, and they look like something from a gift shop. A row of these makes an easy teacher or neighbor gift. Glass jars are on almost every list of things to never throw away for good reason. What would you put in yours?

You will need: clean glass jars with lids, fabric scraps, ribbon, kraft tags, cookies, cocoa mix or candy.

How to make it: 1. Soak the jars in warm soapy water and peel off the labels. 2. Fill them with treats and close the lids. 3. Cover each lid with a fabric circle and tie it with ribbon and a tag.

Wine Corks Make a Sturdy Trivet

If you save corks after dinners and celebrations, you probably have enough for a trivet. Stand them on end in a tight circle, glue them together and wrap a wide band or an old belt around the outside. The cork protects your table from hot pots and looks great on a rustic kitchen table. It also makes a thoughtful hostess gift with a little bow. Ask friends to save their corks too and you will fill it in no time. Do you have a bag of corks tucked in a drawer?

You will need: about 40 wine corks, strong craft glue, a wide strip of leather or an old belt, small clips.

How to make it: 1. Stand the corks up in a tight circle. 2. Glue them together in small groups and clip until dry. 3. Wrap the band around the outside and glue the ends.

Old Buttons Become Christmas Ornaments

That tin of loose buttons from grandma’s sewing box is pure treasure at Christmas. Stack green buttons from big to small on a piece of wire for a little tree, glue red and green ones in a ring for a wreath, or cover a cardboard star in yellow buttons. Each ornament ends up one of a kind. They make lovely gifts for anyone who sews. Buttons are small, but they are one of the most charming things to never throw away. Which shape would you make first?

You will need: loose buttons in many colors, craft wire, a cardboard star, craft glue, ribbon for hanging.

How to make it: 1. Thread buttons on wire from biggest to smallest for a tree. 2. Glue buttons onto a cardboard ring or star for other shapes. 3. Add a ribbon loop and let the glue dry.

Cereal Boxes Turn Into Magazine Files

Cereal boxes are the right height for magazines, catalogs and folders. Cut the top off at an angle, cover the box in pretty wrapping paper or wallpaper scraps, and you have a magazine file that looks like it came from a stationery shop. Make a matching set and line them up on a shelf for an instant tidy look. Kids can make their own for school papers and art. This is a nice way to bring order to a messy desk for free, and it puts cereal boxes high on our list of things to never throw away. What clutter would yours hold?

You will need: empty cereal boxes, scissors, wrapping paper or wallpaper scraps, a glue stick, a ruler.

How to make it: 1. Draw a slanted line from the top of one side down to the middle and cut it. 2. Glue paper over the whole box. 3. Fold the paper edges inside and smooth them flat.

Odd Socks Are Things to Never Throw Away for Cleaning Day

Every laundry basket seems to swallow one sock from each pair. Instead of waiting for the missing twin, slip the lonely sock over your hand and use it to dust. Soft cotton socks grab dust from shelves, lamp bases, blinds and picture frames, and they go straight in the wash afterward. Fuzzy socks work even better. Keep a little basket of them with your cleaning supplies. It is one of those small, practical things to never throw away. How many odd socks are hiding in your drawers?

You will need: clean odd socks, a little spray cleaner or water, a basket to store them.

How to make it: 1. Slip a sock over your hand. 2. Lightly mist it if the surface is extra dusty. 3. Wipe and toss it in the laundry when done.

Bread Clips Become Cord Labels

Those little square clips from bread bags are perfect for labeling cords. Snap one onto each cable near the plug and write on it with a fine marker, or simply use different colors for each device. No more pulling the wrong plug out of a crowded power strip. They also help around the TV and the desk. It is a tiny habit that saves a lot of frustration, and it shows that even the smallest things to never throw away can earn their keep. A small jar of saved clips on the counter is all you need to start. Which tangle of cords in your home needs this most?

You will need: plastic bread clips, a fine permanent marker, a small jar to collect them.

How to make it: 1. Collect clips in a jar until you have a handful. 2. Write the device name on each clip. 3. Snap one onto each cord near the plug.

Shoe Boxes Become Drawer Dividers

A messy drawer is easy to fix with a couple of shoe boxes. Cut the boxes and lids to fit your drawer, cover them in pretty paper, and set them side by side to make neat sections. Socks, scarves, belts and craft supplies all find a home. The best part is you can make the sections exactly the size you need. When you change your mind, just cut new ones. This idea works in bathrooms and craft rooms too. Which drawer in your house would you fix first?

You will need: shoe boxes and lids, scissors, a ruler, patterned paper or contact paper, glue.

How to make it: 1. Measure your drawer and cut the boxes to fit its height. 2. Cover them with paper. 3. Arrange them inside the drawer and fill each section.

Old Greeting Cards Make Pretty Gift Tags

If you keep the Christmas cards you receive, you already own a whole stack of beautiful gift tags. Cut out the prettiest parts, like a red cardinal, a holly sprig or a snowy cottage, punch a hole and thread a piece of red string through it. Write the name on the back. They look lovely on presents wrapped in plain brown paper. It also feels good to give those cards one more moment. If you love reuse ideas like this, our empty food container ideas are worth a look too. Which card picture would you save?

You will need: old greeting cards, scissors or a tag shaped punch, a hole punch, red string or twine.

How to make it: 1. Cut the best part of each card into a tag shape. 2. Punch a hole at the top. 3. Thread the string through and tie it to a present.

Old Silverware Becomes Garden Markers

Mismatched forks and spoons from the back of the drawer make charming plant markers. Push the handle into the soil so the bowl of the spoon or the fork tines stand up like a little sign. Write the plant name on a small paper tag and tie it on, or paint the name with outdoor paint. They never blow away, and they look like something from a cottage garden. Thrift stores sell single pieces for pennies. Which herbs would you label in your garden?

You will need: old forks and spoons, outdoor paint pens or small waterproof tags, garden twine.

How to make it: 1. Clean the silverware. 2. Write the plant name on the bowl with a paint pen or on a tag. 3. Push the handle into the soil next to each plant.

Fabric Scraps, the Prettiest Things to Never Throw Away

Fabric scraps are one of the prettiest things to never throw away, and they make wonderful gift wrap. Set the gift in the middle of a square of cloth, bring the corners up and tie them in a simple knot on top. Plaid, florals and plain linen all look beautiful under the tree. The person who opens it can use the fabric again, so nothing ends up in the trash after Christmas morning. Old scarves and pillowcases work too. Would your family love gifts wrapped this way?

You will need: fabric squares about three times the size of the gift, pinking shears, ribbon or a sprig of pine.

How to make it: 1. Lay the fabric flat and set the gift in the middle at an angle. 2. Tie two opposite corners in a knot over the top. 3. Tie the other two corners and tuck in a sprig of pine.