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Step 1
Wrap up gifts in them. They're a great size for small toys, candies, marbles and jewelry. You can cover them in pretty contact paper and wrap them with a twist on each end to look like a popper.
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Step 2
Stuff them full of old newspaper, napkins, or junk mail and throw them into your campfire or fireplace for free starters. You can also use these in charcoal grills, chimineas or burn piles in the yard.
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Step 3
Glue several paper towel and toilet paper tubes together and set them in a tall tissue box as a base for a modern-looking organizer. This can be covered in contact paper, spray painted, or decorated with crayons and stickers by the kids. These can hold pens, pencils, markers and rulers.
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Step 4
Store all your grocery bags or clean, dry rags inside a paper towel holder. These are a great place to store hair ties, too.
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Step 5
Cut them into one inch sections and decorate them for instant napkin rings. You can wrap them in raffia, fabric and ribbons, contact paper or anything else you like. You can also cut them into 2 1/2 lengths for makeshift hair curlers to use in a pinch.
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Step 6
Tape three paper towel holders together. Place them into boots. This will keep your boots looking nice by storing them with the legs upright. You can also cut cardboard tubes in half lengthwise and tape them over wire hangers--to put an end to ugly crease marks in clothing.
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Step 7
Use cardboard tubes in your arts and crafts room. Store unopened embroidery floss in them. Wrap the opened thread around the outside. You can also store knitting needles in them--just seal up one end. If you use contact paper, put a piece of plain paper over the bottom so the sticky side won't gum up your needles.
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Step 8
Make bracelets by cutting cardboard tubes into rings and decorating with fabric, ribbon, lace, beads or anything else that suits your fancy. This will also make a great rainy day craft to do with the kids.
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Step 9
Use these tubes in your shed or around the yard. Cut a paper towel holder down one side and cover the base of young trees when weed eating around them. Use tubes to store extension cords. Seal one end of a cardboard tube and store garden ties, screwdrivers and other small items. Stuff shop rags in them, too.
