Neighbor Gift Week: Beckie at Infarrantly Creative

 

Thank you Kari for inviting me to your house today to share an inexpensive gift idea ideal for neighbors, co-workers and friends.

I was given a grocery list tear off pad for a gift last year.  It has totally worked for me because all it takes is a quick checkmark on the list when I am out of something.  However, I have always wished the list were a bit more custom for my grocery shopping needs.  Wah-la!

Supplies:

Printable and customizable grocery list (26 copies)

cardboard (I used a cereal box)

paper cutter

scoring blade

drill

1/4” drill bit

2 screwdrivers

2 posts 1/4” x 3/8”

binder clips

super strong magnets

glue (I used E6000)

Optional:

patterned paper

Mod Podge

pencil

1.  Using the template I have provided make a personalized grocery list in Microsoft Word.  Print out 26 copies.  This will allow you to have 52 pages (one for each week).

2.  Using a paper cutter cut all the paper in half lengthwise.  3.  Next cut a piece of cardboard 4.25” x 2”.  Then score it at 1 1/8” and 7/8” one the long side.  Also cut out a piece of cardboard for the back that is 4.25” x 11”.

Optional:  If you want a decorative border do the same with a piece of patterned paper or cardstock.  Then Mod Podge the decorative paper onto the cardboard making sure the score lines match up and that you burnish the sides down well.4. Next take your stack of papers and line the sheets up by shuffling them even with the cardboard backer in place as well.  Then take your cardboard border and put if at the top of your pad securing it in place with binder clips. 5.  Using an electric drill, drill holes next to the blinder clips on both sides with 1/4” drill bit.I found the posts at Ace Hardware for $.45 each ($.90 total for one pad).  They are called nylon posts but they also have aluminum and brass ones as well which are slightly more expensive.($1.20 - $1.30 a pad). 

6.  Put the post in place and using two screwdrivers tighten the screw into the post.7.  Flip the pad over and glue two super strong magnets onto the back of your cardboard. 8.  Then you can just rip off the page each time you go to the store and it will leave a fresh one in its place.  The cardboard gives just enough of an edge for a nice tear.

Optional:  Add a magnet strip to a pencil to have easy access to a writing supply.

More natural look:

  Fun and colorful look:

I had everything on hand and printed my own lists on my laser copy machine.  But I am guessing they would cost you less than $2 a pad which makes a great neighbor, co-worker, or mailman gift don’t you think? Thanks for having me Kari.  For more inexpensive gift ideas I have a Pennywise Presents series going on this month featuring 16 amazing crafty bloggers.  Come over and say hi.