Gifts From the Kitchen Drawer: Wooden Spoons, Tea Towels and Clips

By Kelly · Updated 2026-10-17

Repurposing common household items into gifts reduces waste and utilizes supplies already found in your kitchen or utility drawers. These projects transform standard wooden spoons, plain linens, and utility clips into coordinated sets suitable for housewarming or host gifts.

Color-Blocked Wooden Spoons

Adults · 45 min · about $3

  1. Lightly sand the handles of the wooden spoons to remove any existing rough spots or factory finishes.
  2. Wrap a strip of painter's tape around the handle approximately 3 to 4 inches from the bottom to create a clean paint line.
  3. Apply a thin layer of acrylic paint to the handle area below the tape line using the foam brush.
  4. Allow the first coat to dry for 20 minutes, then apply a second coat if the color is translucent.
  5. Peel the tape away while the paint is still slightly tacky to ensure a sharp edge.
  6. Once the paint is fully dry, rub the unpainted wood (the bowl and neck of the spoon) with food-grade mineral oil to protect it for kitchen use.
  7. Safety note: Do not paint any part of the spoon that will come into direct contact with food.

Potato-Stamped Tea Towels

Adults · 60 min · about $5

  1. Wash and dry the fabric without fabric softener to ensure the paint adheres correctly.
  2. Slice the potato in half crosswise to create a flat stamping surface.
  3. Use a paring knife or a small metal cookie cutter to carve a simple geometric shape, such as a triangle or chevron, into the flat face of the potato. Cut away the surrounding potato so the shape is raised by about 1/4 inch.
  4. Blot the potato surface thoroughly with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
  5. Apply a thin, even layer of fabric paint to the potato shape using a brush or by dipping it into a shallow tray of paint.
  6. Press the potato firmly onto the fabric, hold for two seconds, and lift straight up. Repeat the pattern across the hem of the towel.
  7. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours, then heat-set the design by running a dry iron over the back of the fabric for 3 minutes.

Embellished Magnetic Kitchen Clips

Adults · 30 min · about $2

  1. Paint the wooden clothespins and your chosen embellishments (pasta shapes or buttons) with acrylic paint and let dry completely.
  2. Apply a small bead of hot glue to the center of the clothespin's top face.
  3. Press the painted pasta or button onto the glue and hold until set.
  4. Turn the clothespin over and apply a bead of hot glue to the back of the top half (the part you squeeze).
  5. Press a magnet into the glue, ensuring it is flush so it will sit flat against a refrigerator.
  6. Apply a clear spray sealant if you want a glossy finish or extra durability against kitchen moisture.
  7. Safety note: Use caution with the hot glue gun to avoid skin burns; use a silicone mat to protect your work surface.

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