New Uses for Old VHS Casesby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 23 Jun 2007 06:06 AM We are slowly in the process of getting through our many VHS movies. Over the years, we've picked up quite a few of them from thrift stores and yard sales. Friends have given us their VHS tapes when they have upgraded to DVD because they knew that we would use them. We were one of the last hold outs in purchasing a DVD player. Some of the movies are starting to wear out and are so loved that we will have to attain the DVD versions. Others have been watched a few times but are not worthy of precious space in our home. And there is a small group that will never be watched. These are ones that got bad reviews or are not appropriate for our family. I pay attention to the movie reviews here on Families.com, and that has been a big help. So, now I have a bunch of VHS movies that no one seems to want, not even the local thrift store. I've tried giving them away on freecycle, and no one has stepped forward there either. So, I will do my best to reuse and recycle. Many of those movies come in plastic clam shell packages or other plastic cases, and here are some creative uses for those cases. One of my favorite uses is as a paperback holder. I am always carting around paperbacks, and putting them in one of the VHS cases keeps them from getting dog-eared and ruined. Using a VHS cases to hide money or jewelry is another great idea. No one wants to steal a VHS movie, so valuables will stay hidden and safe. If you have a lot of these cases, why not glue them shut and give them to the kids for building blocks? Another favorite use for these cases is for wrapping gifts. Just insert the gift and decorate or wrap the outside of the case. Use a VHS case to make a time capsule. Put in a few favorite things that will tell the future you about you know and bury it in the backyard. Dig it up in five or ten years. The kids will love this idea. Now, does anyone have any ideas for using the movies themselves? Mary Ann Romans also writes for the Computing Blog here at Families.com where she shares everything from the latest news on technology to cool downloads and fun websites. Related Articles: The Third Principle of A Frugal Lifestyle: Recycle What to Do with Old Toothbrushes Real Kitchen Uses for Egg Cartons Real Storage Solutions Using Egg Cartons Recycling Yarn: Unraveling a Thrift Store Find Can Save You Big Bucks Creative Uses for Thrift Store Finds New Uses for Old Baby Blankets Interview with A Dumpster Diver (1) Interview with A Dumpster Diver (2) Interview with A Dumpster Diver (3) Benefit from Plastic Grocery Bags More New Uses for Old Soda Bottles Things to Do with Cardboard Tubes More Things to Do with Cardboard Tubes New Uses for Old Inflatable Toys Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments jonesx6 (1606) 25 Jun 2007 03:07 PMI like the book idea. Thanks for the ideas!! Laura Community Tags gift boxes, money safe, reuse, recycle, VHS Discuss this article
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