Removing Plastic Packaging

While wrapping a gift that was difficult to open, I had an idea. This particular gift was encased with that familiar hard plastic. This was a present for my young grandson. I knew he would be very excited when he saw the contents. I thought about what a pain it would be for the parents to open the package.

So I carefully opened the package around the sides and then taped it so it would not fully open while I was wrapping it. This makes it so much easier to open. But please be aware, do not allow the child to open it even if it is taped. The plastic is still hard and sharp and could slice the child.

I still do not why manufacturers still package their products like that. It is so frustrating to open these packages. I use a box cutter when opening them but I still must be very careful to prevent getting cut/sliced by the plastic.

When buying a gift that must be assembled, we usually assemble the gift and then wrap it. We save all the packaging and the receipt in case there is a problem and has to be returned/exchanged. If it a large item, I wrap it using a plastic tablecloth purchased at a dollar discount store and decorate it with stickers.

Assembling the gift makes it so much easier for the parents with young children. This is also a good idea for others, like an elderly person. Also, it is a good idea to provide any batteries if needed.

By mkymlp from NE PA / USA

I was having trouble opening a hard plastic package containing my new emergency window hammer. Then I thought of trying to use a manual can opener. I wore some light gardening gloves to retrieve the item. I think with a sharper can-opener I could have gone all around the pack and lifted up the plastic, making it a lot safer.

Source: My own but I have since seen others thought of the idea, too.

By Monique from Somerset, UK., Weston-super-Mare

One tip I have for toys under the tree is to remove them from their packaging before wrapping them. Toys these days have so much plastic and twist ties that it can take forever to get a toy out of their packaging.

It also saves space under the tree and allows us to put in batteries and check for missing/broken parts which eliminates Christmas morning disappointments. If the toy is an awkward shape once it's out of the box, I either wrap it in a gift bag, put it back in it's original box (minus all the plastic and cardboard inserts), or put it in a storage box that I plan to use for permanent storage of the toy after Christmas (like a photo storage box, plastic basket, a bucket, or whatever else I currently use to store toys.)

Make sure you keep the instructions and warranties/receipts in a safe place, but if you test out the toys beforehand you probably don't need to keep the boxes. Just make sure you throw them out or store them before the kids find them!

One other big benefit I've had from this is that second-hand or homemade gifts don't stand out and won't be rejected by kids who turn their noses up at something because it's not new or store bought.

Oh, and I must admit I also don't mind putting together and testing (i.e. playing) with the toys beforehand just to make sure they're in good working order!

By Trix