What do you do with all those freebies?

I'm sure of you are thinking - holy cow, what does she do with all those freebies? Probably seems like 'junk' to some but trust me, I put all of it to use. Here's some of the ways:

1. Pet items - I have several friends and family with pets. We all love our pets and pet food and treats are expensive. When Christmas time comes around, all the freebies get divided up and put into holiday style cellophane bags wrapped with recycled ribbon and gift tags for all my K9 and feline friends. If there is anything left, then I donate to a rescue shelter by my house.

2. Health and beauty items - there are lots of uses for these things:
-stocking stuffers
-travel bags
-glove boxes for 'emergencies'
-I've even stuffed numerous samples a travel bag and given as a gift
-A couple of years in a row we created stockings for the homeless shelter
-Given boxes of these samples to women's shelters

3. Baby items - these make great fillers for baby shower gift baskets; i've filled diaper bags with these freebie sample items for shower gifts and just given 'care packages' of these things to single moms on low budgets.

4. Free music - i've loaded onto MP3players i've given as gifts, I've also burned to CD's and shared with friends who enjoy it and have no money for extras like CDs.

5. Laundry products - these are a great way to try out new products with out the expense or the numerous bottles sitting on the shelf because you either didn't like them or they didn't work as promised. These are also great things to add to college bound 'care packages' and to add into "welcome" gifts for people with new apartments or as fillers for bridal shower gifts. How cool is it to get a nice laundry basket filled with towels, wash cloths and some laundry samples?

6. Medicinal items - Oh boy, these do not go to waste. I have a box I keep at work that is filled with sample band aids, aspirin, tylenol, antacid, etc. etc. I don't know about you, but never a day goes by that someone doesn't ask for these. These are perfect to keep in your purse - with grandkids and communting, you never know when you'll need them!
The list and possibilities are endless.