Thursday, July 16, 2009

Stair Baskets

I've been eyeing these pretties for 2 years now (seriously, 2 YEARS). I could never bring myself to pay the regular price ($30 each at Micheals... that's like $100 for 3 baskets + taxes!).
Good things come to those who wait and finally this week they went on clearance. Waa Hoo!
I snatched up 2 of them then rushed back the next day to get one more and I'm thinking I should get another one for when my baby gets older so they will match.
I put a name tag on each one so I can sort the toys/ shoes/ clothes/ junk! according to who needs to clean it up. I'm also going to use them to put their clean laundry in. And sometimes I think I will surprise them with an empty basket and just a love note or maybe a treat inside. I have great kids and I don't do that kind of stuff nearly enough.
Every evening it is each child's responsibility to grab their basket (there is a handle attached to it {giddy}) and put everything away.
Aaaahhhh, my house feels cleaner already.

33 comments:

Jill@Barnes Yard said...

Love these! I can't believe I've never seen them! So cute with the name tags :)

Kari Sweeten said...

What an AWESOME idea!

Ter said...

I love those, I need something like that I think!

Loving Life said...

I've been eyeing those for a long time too!!

Char @ Crap I've Made said...

I did not know Michael's had those!

Sarah said...

I've never seen those before! Such possibilities :)

Beth- the mama bee said...

I used to have one and loved it... then we moved to a house with no stiars so I gave it away.... now we have stairs again and no basket :(

Sarah said...

Love the idea - too bad I don't have a house with stairs.

Jennifer said...

That's a wonderful idea!

Lesley said...

Did you get them at Michael's? I'd love to go buy three of them.

Joanne said...

So smart! Off I go to Michael's tonight!

Jenette said...

What a great way to get the kids to help! I love it!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

I *so* need these! I really do! Love the cute name tags.

Controlling My Chaos said...

What a great find!

Tamaratravel said...

love the idea of individualizing them...great way to teach responsiblity..Being on sale is just a bonus...

seven thirty three said...

I saw these on monday and almost grabbed some, and now I'm kickimg myself for not doing so! Bavo to you.

Natalie Meester said...

great idea to have one for each child! I just have one that I cram junk into.

Thanks for the idea!

Denise @ Life on Stepping Stone Lane said...

Great idea!! They are never too young to learn to take care of putting away their own stuff!!

Jen V said...

Awesome! I got mine at 50% off at Hobby Lobby a few years ago and I love it. I've got 3 messy kids, so laundry is a different matter altogether, but just having one on my staircase is usually enough to handle the trickle of toys, books and clothing that make it down stairs.

You are right, it is easy for the kids to pick up, take upstairs and put things away.

My oldest sister (superhuman) did a teach on organization and decluttering that has honestly changed peoples lives. I am really weird (like she is) about that kinda stuff, so I already had a few of her ideas going on in my daily routine, but honestly - this is the Bible of organization and decluttering - there's no other way to put it.

Check my blog at www.viettiview.blogspot.com and look under June 7th - 21st everything under "Organization" you'll thank yourself just for reading all that amazing (years of researching and living - with 6 kids - that she's shared with us!)Your husband will thank you and you never know how much money you will make at the garage sale you'll inevitably have after 'decluttering'! Check it out!

Scott Law said...

Kathryn and Melissa

I think you've got something going here. Now you just have to keep up with the new posts and ideas. It looks like you've got a lot of people depending on you. It is so cool that you two are so creative and clever, and you know how to share it. Keep up the good work.

Love,
Dad

Lynn Kellan said...

Awesome idea!

Is there a way that we can teach the dog to put her toys away in her own basket??

Michelle said...

What a great idea...thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

My mom did this same idea for us when we were younger. Every night before prayer we had to do a 5 minute pick up as a family. Everyone would just pick up what needed to be picked up and put it in the different baskets. Then when prayer was done and we were headed up stairs for bed, we took our baskets to our room. My mother always thought a day should begin with a clean house and I think this also gave her some time to herself each night to relax.

TwoHeartsTogether said...

wow those are awesome! I have never seen those before, good thing they are on sale

Sew Can Do said...

Thanks for this tip - I'm going to run over to our local one today and hope they have some left. At 8 mos pregnant going up & down all the stairs in our house is taking it's toll and this has ideal solution written all over it!

Danielle (Life with the Hewitt Family) said...

I love this idea! I wonder if my Michael's store has any on clearance. I think leaving a special treat for them would be a great start to a random day!

Stephanie said...

What a fab idea! I've never seen anything like these.
Great tip:)

Melany @ Project Anthologies said...

I want those too! I can't believe I haven't seen them. Hmmm... I must go searching tomorrow. Thanks for sharing!!

Anonymous said...

These are great! what a good idea... I bet my mom wished we had these when we were growing up. the stairs looked almost as bad as our rooms. lol

Pretty Nerdy said...

I love these stair baskets! So much so I remember buying one in Ross about 5 years back for $3.99 (yes 4 bucks!) At that time I was living in an apartment with no house in site. I bought that basket and it sat in my apartment for all that time and I am finally going to get to use it when I close this week in my townhouse! Look around! They may be in TJ Maxx, Ross, Home Goods etc for way cheap!

Unknown said...

Must go to Michaels NOW!! I have been eyeing these forever too!! Bubbye!

Heidi Boos said...

Is it weird to say that I wish I had stairs just so I could buy these baskets? ;)

Just found your blog...so fun!!

Unknown said...

I know this is an old post but I'm looking for similar stair baskets. Id love to find out how well they have held up and how useful they were.