Real Simple "repurposing" ideas

I love to "repurpose" things. When I see a cardboard box, I don't see a cardboard box, I see the potential to turn it into a tractor or a spaceship! One of my favorite magazine, Real Simple, always has amazing ideas for repurposing things. The magazine is collecting all of its "a-ha" ideas together to publish a book, which I can't wait to get my hands on! In the meantime, here are some of my favorite repurposing ideas for parties from the Real Simple website.

Create an unique guestbook for a party by having each guest sign the surface of a flat stone with a colored marker. The stones can then be displayed in a tall vase at the party and can serve as a nice keepsake for the guest of honor after the party.



Freeze water//juice/punch in a bundt pan, remove the ice from the pan, and then

float the ice sculpture in your bowl of punch.

Use upturned champagne flutes or wine glasses as elegant candle holders.

Here's one I've done before.

A roll of wrapping paper can make an inexpensive and colorful table runner.

Pick paper to match any theme and use a simple, neutral colored table cloth underneath.

Attach foil cupcake liners to add sparkle to your Christmas lights.

I absolutely LOVE this idea!

Glue name tags on toothpicks and use them to identify the cheeses at your next wine and cheese party.

Have each cheese tell your guests a little bit about himself/herself too! How cute!

Here's another idea that I often use when transporting cakes to the party location.

Toothpicks inserted into a cake can be used to "tent" cling film over the cake, so the film doesn't stick to the icing.

Lollipops can double as drink stirrers that add a twist of flavor to your cocktail. 

Choose colors that match your theme. 

(Just don't let your kids get hold of them!)