I’m always looking for ways to do things better, more efficiently, and/or frugally. I hope to share what I find with you here, and I hope you’ll share your ideas, too!
Since summer is here, I don’t like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, especially cleaning it. With two kids, sometimes it seems that I am a full-time maid! I have to share an idea with you that I learned from my sister who has two kids of her own.
Ever go to a fast-food grill or family restaurant where they serve you your food in a red plastic basket lined with wax paper?
Well, when I visited my sister in Nashville a few years ago, she popped popcorn for the kids to eat while they watched a movie. She took out a few red baskets, lined them with paper napkins, and put the popcorn in them. When the kids finished, she threw away the napkins and stacked the baskets – ready for the next use. Genius! When I returned home, I went to the dollar store and picked up some for our family.
Red basket found at dollar store.
During the summer, I use these A LOT! With the kids eating lunch at home, and because the food is stuff like sandwiches, hotdogs, pizza, fruit slices,etc., it makes using the baskets very handy.
I use the paper towels that have the smaller sheets and I place one paper towel in the basket as a liner.
Basket lined with paper towel
I use these to serve popcorn, chips, sandwiches, even bacon and toast for breakfast! I have small condiment bowls that I use for ketchup or syrup, and they can just sit in the basket, too. They’re so convenient, and the kids throw away their paper towel and stack their baskets on the counter. No dishwashing, no mess, less time in the kitchen and more time for playing!
Lunchtime!
I hope you found this tip helpful! Please share your ideas – I’m sure you have many ideas for shortcuts and timesavers.
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This is brilliant….. I’m headed to the dollar store right now!