This post is sponsored by Crates & Pallet, who provided me with the crates for this project. I have also included affiliate links to products. As always, all work done, opinions, and writing are 100% my own. For my full disclosure policy, click here.
We celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah in our family. For Hanukkah, where there are eight nights to celebrate, that means eight presents for each kid.
Those gifts usually end up all over the dining room table, which drives me bonkers.
This year, I am using these large crates from Crates & Pallet to corral the gifts!
One crate for each kid – perfect!
Of course, you could use these crates for Christmas gifts or to hold toys or art supplies throughout the year.
The crates started off as natural wood. I decided to stain them, using Varathane (Rust-Oleum) wood stain in Antique White and Vintage Aqua, a variation on the traditional Hanukkah colors of blue and white.
But, before I stained them, I taped off an area to paint with chalkboard paint
I used Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Paint in traditional black finish. It took two coats to get a good, smooth chalkboard surface. Pull the tape off while the last coat is still a little wet, so you don’t pull the chalkboard paint off, too.
Once dry, I traced around the trim of the chalkboard paint square with a gold Sharpie pen
I wrote each kid’s initial on the chalkboard square with a chalk marker
The kids love them, because they can see all their gifts together, and I love them because they are a cute and functional storage solution to a messy dining room table!
Happy Holidays!
A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.
I can think of many ways to use the crates. First, they could start by being filled with gifts and be given as part of the gift. Each year, I prepare a “stocking” for my mom, mom-in-law, sister and daughter and always use a different container for the “stocking.” This year it is red plaid fabric drawstring bags, but in the past it has been a more functional storage container of some type and these crates would be great to use. I can also see filling them with “theme” items for bridal showers , housewarmings, and baby showers and being a much more useful part of the gift than the traditional basket often used. It would go on to many uses. I would also use them to transport foodstuffs anytime of year. Much more attractive than cardboard boxes for transporting goodies and ingredients to make goodies to family and friends homes for helping out with special celebrations. I usually sit the box in my kitchen the week before we leave and pack as I go. These crates would be much more attractive to live with than a cardboard box!
Such wonderful ideas, Karen!! Thanks!
I tried to vote, but could not see Sawdust Snow contest! Would you please see if you can? Thanks.
You are not the only one having problems with the contest. Let me check. Thank you!!
It should be up tomorrow. I checked tonight and it was up, but my photo was wrong, so I fixed it and it is “pending approval.” Thank you again for voting!!
we give wrapped gifts to the children in the shelter from our church these crates would be a perfect way to deliver them and the crate can be used to store toys the children get
That’s a great idea, Carol! So sweet!
the sawdust and snow category at ryobi nation appears to be empty of content
It should have content now. It’s being added all this week, apparently. Thank you for going over to vote!!
still checking and yours is not there yet but as soon as it is it will get my vote
Thank you, Carol!!
One of these crates would be great to organize/store all my Christmas wrapping paper, etc. and small gifts.
Great idea, Ann!
I would use one crate for each of the holidays we celebrate. That way I could easily find the special dishes or literature or decorations for each holiday by simply looking at the chalkboard label! What a fantastic idea!
Great idea! Thanks, Rebekah!!
your entry finally showed up ..voted Hope you win!
Thank you, Carol!!
I would use them to organize the granddaughters’gifts! Such a cute idea and now I’mean off to vote!
Great idea! Thank you!!
I am going to get several of them and paint them for my Grandson to organise his toys. My daughter can also take them to her living room to have him help put his toys away.
Great ideas!! Organization is key this time of year, especially! Thanks, Linda!!
My kids have so many “holiday” toys. I’d love one or two of these crates to put by the fire place or in the kitchen with the Rudolphs and Frostys and snowflake bouncy balls. It would turn those toys into Christmas decor!
That is a great idea!! We keep our Christmas books by the fireplace – maybe I’ll use them for that, too! Thank you!!
I would use this crate to organize all of the hats, gloves, and scarves that we keep by the door during winter.
What a great idea! Thanks, Ella!