I was cleaning up my office this morning and I noticed there are some things I believe every home should have that I seem to be out of. I’m not talking about a $500 toolbox or a garage full of power tools.

I’m talking about the little things you reach for when something breaks, something won’t stay together, something needs to be secured, or something is stuck. Or something needs cleaned.

In our house, four of those things have earned permanent places in our cabinets and toolkits: Duct tape Charlie’s favorite. Super glue. Zip ties David’s favorite. WD-40 my dad’s go to fixer for everthing.

And before you ask, yes, I know WD-40 isn’t technically in the same category as the other three. Nor is Clorox Wipes but I don’t care. They’re family. There grandfathered in and they just have different jobs.

I you’re moving into a new home, stocking a classroom, building a homeschool supply cabinet, decorating your home on a budget, or simply trying to be prepared for everyday life, these are items worth having around.

The best part is that you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money on them, either. You can find many basic household repair and craft supplies at stores like Dollar Tree, depending on what’s available at your local store. So let’s talk about what each one actually does.

I’m one of those women you can give a butcher knife and a roll of duct tape to, and I’ll probably figure out how to fix something. Add a can of WD-40 to the situation, and now I really feel like I can fix anything.

I don’t necessarily need somebody to hand me a screwdriver and tell me how to do it. In fact, if you know me, you probably know better than to hand me the screwdriver. But give me some duct tape and WD-40?

Now we’re talking. And David isn’t much different. His repair philosophy is just a little more… creative. Or redneck.. David is one of those men who believes duct tape is basically a household miracle.

Something is coming apart? Duct tape. A shoe needs fixing? Duct tape. Something won’t stay where it belongs? Duct tape. Need a belt? Well, if there’s a piece of rope around, apparently that’s a belt.

This is why David gets called a redneck man. And, according to the people at work, sometimes he’s called the caveman. I’m laughing because I can’t even argue with them. He has a way of looking at something that isn’t working and thinking, “What do I have around here that will make this work?” And sometimes, surprisingly enough, it works.

And then there is Charlie. From the time Charlie was about two years old and up, he always had a roll of duct tape of his own. Yes. My little boy had his own duct tape. And there was a very good reason for it.

It was easier for me to give Charlie his own roll of duct tape than to hear him screaming from another room: “I need tape!” Then: “I need glue!” Then: “I need this!” Then: “I need that!”

As you hear a hammer in the background as he’s building something because Charelie is a child who likes to build, create, experiment, take things apart, and put them back together, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

So I solved the problem. Charlie had his own supplies and his own tools. And honestly, I loved it. Because when I was #homeschooling, those kinds of supplies weren’t just household repair items. They were learning supplies.

When Charlie was little, I kept duct tape, glue, zip ties, and other basic supplies around because you never knew what a homeschool project was going to require. Maybe we were making something. Maybe we were building something. Maybe something broke.

Maybe something needed to be reinforced. Maybe Charlie had an idea that I couldn’t possibly understand until he showed me what he was trying to build. And that’s the beauty of having simple supplies available.

You don’t always have to tell a child exactly what to make. Sometimes you can simply give them materials and let them figure it out. That’s problem-solving. That’s creativity. That’s learning.

And sometimes it’s also a really good way to keep Mom from hearing: “Mom! I need tape!” every five minutes. Although his calling me meant I knew what he was doing and it also allowed me to get my steps in.

If I had to give duct tape a nickname, it would be: The Hold-It-Together Tool. Duct tape is flexible, quick, and useful for temporary repairs, crafts, decorations, and all sorts of household projects.

It can be especially handy for: Quick temporary repairs. Sometimes something doesn’t need a permanent fix immediately. You just need it to stay together long enough to deal with the problem properly.

Crafting and decorating. Today’s duct tape comes in different colors, patterns, and designs, making it useful for creative projects as well as repairs. Budget decorating. This is a big one for me.

Because when you’re decorating your home on a budget, you’re often taking inexpensive pieces and turning them into something that looks much more expensive. And that’s where duct tape can come in handy.

And then there are zip ties. Forget the idea that zip ties are only for organizing cords. I use them when I’m decorating my home on a budget. Especially when I’m using Dollar Tree items.

You know those things that look adorable in the store, but when you get them home, they don’t want to stay together? Something won’t stand up. Something won’t attach properly. Something keeps falling apart. Something needs to be secured to something else.

That’s when I reach for the zip ties. I’ve used them more times than I can count when putting together inexpensive decorations. And honestly, this is one of those little tricks that makes budget decorating possible.

You don’t necessarily need to buy the expensive version of something. Sometimes you can take several inexpensive pieces and figure out how to make them work together. A zip tie can be the little piece that keeps everything together.

David has his uses for zip ties. I have mine. His might involve the garage. Mine might involve a Dollar Tree decoration that has decided it isn’t cooperating with my decorating plans. Either way, zip ties belong in my household fix-it supplies which more times than not Charlie borrows for his own projects.

Super glue has a completely different job. Duct tape wraps around something and holds it. Super glue creates a bond between surfaces. That makes it useful for small, precise repairs where the pieces fit together well.

Think about a little object that breaks cleanly and the two pieces fit back together. That’s where super glue may be the better choice. It can be useful for: Small household repairs. A little item breaks and the pieces fit neatly back together.

Craft projects. Especially projects that require a small amount of adhesive in a precise location. Hobby projects. When you need to attach two appropriate surfaces without wrapping something around them.

But super glue isn’t the answer to every repair. It’s not ideal for everything that bends or moves constantly, and because it bonds quickly, it needs to be handled carefully. And this is definitely one of those products that should be stored safely and kept away from young children.

Charlie may have had his own duct tape when he was little, but I wasn’t handing a two-year-old a bottle of super glue. There is a difference between encouraging creativity and creating an emergency trip to figure out how to separate glued fingers.

Zip ties are different again. If duct tape says: “Hold it.” And super glue says: “Bond it.” Zip ties say: “Secure it.” They are great for: Bundling things together. Organizing cords. Securing decorations and craft projects.

They are also handy for household, garage, outdoor, and temporary projects. And David has demonstrated that a zip tie can apparently become part of an emergency clothing strategy.

I’ve seen him use them for things I would never have thought of. Including a belt when he didn’t have one. I’m not saying you should replace your regular belt with zip ties. I’m just saying that when David needs a solution, he’s going to find one.

And now we get to my favorite. WD-40 which isn’t tape. It’s not glue. It’s not a fastener. But I still insist that it belongs in this family. Why? Because it solves a completely different kind of problem.

It can be useful for certain maintenance jobs, including helping loosen stuck components and lubricating appropriate mechanisms when used according to the product directions. That’s why I think of it as the fourth member of the household fix-it team.

Duct tape holds. Super glue bonds. Zip ties secure. WD-40 helps things move. Four different jobs. One very useful little family when you throw in Clorox Wipes to keep everything clean.

This is one of the reasons I love talking about these products. You don’t necessarily have to go out and spend a fortune stocking your home. Dollar Tree is one of the places I would check for basic tape, glue, adhesive, and craft supplies, especially when you’re trying to stay within a budget.

What you find can vary by store, so I always think of it as a place to look rather than a guarantee that every item will be available. I’ve also found that Dollar Tree can be a great place to look when you’re doing budget decorating.

And that brings me right back to my zip ties. Because when I’m buying inexpensive decorations and craft supplies, I’m not necessarily looking for everything to work perfectly right out of the package.

Sometimes I’m looking at an item and thinking: “I can make this work.” That’s where having duct tape, zip ties, and glue nearby becomes important. You start seeing possibilities instead of limitations.

If you’re moving into a new home, these are the kinds of things I would put on my basic household shopping list. Not because they’re fancy. Because they’re useful. You don’t know what’s going to break.

You don’t know what is going to need securing. You don’t know what you’re going to want to decorate. And you certainly don’t know when somebody is going to walk into the room and say: “Can you fix this?” That’s life.

So having some basic supplies available means you don’t have to make a trip to the store every time something happens. I’d rather have the supplies in a drawer and not need them than need them and not have them.

I also think these belong on a back-to-school shopping list and here is why you will find these items inside my Back-to-School Gift Guide. Teachers are constantly creating bulletin boards, classroom displays, crafts, activities, decorations, and hands-on projects.

#Homeschool families are doing the same thing at home. And sometimes you need something simple. A roll of duct tape. Some zip ties. A little glue. Clorox Wipes to clean up with.

Basic supplies don’t always look exciting on a school supply list, but they can become incredibly useful once the school year begins. And if you’re a teacher or homeschool parent shopping on a budget, checking discount stores for these supplies can make sense.

Summer is another time when these supplies come in handy and this is why you will find these products inside our Summer Gift Guide. Maybe you’re getting ready for a trip. Maybe you’re organizing outdoor equipment. Maybe you’re packing away summer items. Maybe something breaks while you’re outside.

Or maybe you’re finally looking at that pile of summer decorations and thinking: “Okay, where am I going to put all of this?” Duct tape and zip ties can be especially useful for temporary repairs, bundling, securing, and organizing.

And when summer is over, don’t forget to check your supplies before putting everything away. Because you never know what you’ll need next summer. So if you find these items on sale stock up. Remember to purchase extra because in my home they tend to disappear and that may happen in your home to.

Halloween is another perfect place for these supplies which is why you will find them inside our Halloween Gift Guide. If you’re making homemade decorations, costumes, props, or crafts, you’re going to run into those moments when something doesn’t quite cooperate.

That’s when duct tape and zip ties can become your best friends. And decorative duct tape makes it even more fun. You can use different patterns and colors as part of the design rather than trying to hide the tape.

That’s one of the reasons I love how duct tape has evolved. It’s not just the silver roll we remember from years ago. It’s become a craft supply, too. As well as a mom must have for me.

And then there’s Christmas. I’ve learned something about David over the years when it comes to stocking stuffers. If I’m creating David’s Christmas stocking and I put any of these four things inside: duct tape, super glue, zip ties, or WD-40…

I have one very happy camper. I’m laughing out loud just thinking about it. Honestly, if David could make his own Christmas list for Santa, I’m pretty sure these four things would be on it.

He’d probably tell Santa: “Just give me duct tape, super glue, zip ties, and WD-40, and I can take over the world!” And you know what? He probably believes it. That’s just David and it’s why I love him.

He doesn’t need fancy stocking stuffers. He doesn’t need expensive gadgets. Give that man something he can fix, secure, glue, tape, or lubricate, and he’s happy. And it doesn’t stop there.

When Charlie was little, there were plenty of Christmas mornings when David wasn’t particularly interested in wrapping his presents the “right” way. There were plenty of times when a trash bag, newspaper, or whatever else he could find became wrapping paper.

And then, naturally, came the duct tape. Because why spend time looking for Scotch tape when you have an entire roll of duct tape? That’s the kind of Christmas memory that makes me laugh now.

It wasn’t about having perfectly wrapped presents. It was about getting the job done. And that pretty much sums up David. So if you’re looking for stocking-stuffer ideas for the person in your family who loves fixing things, building things, organizing things, or simply being prepared for the next household emergency, don’t overlook the practical stuff.

A roll of duct tape might make somebody much happier than a fancy gadget. A package of zip ties might actually get used. Super glue can solve a little repair problem. And a can of WD-40?

Well, if you’re David, that’s practically a Christmas present from Santa himself. Four little household staples and it’s bonus brother Clorox Wipes makes David one very happy camper. And if David had his way, that’s probably all Santa would need to put in his stocking.

The Great Four-Way Comparison So which one is best? That depends on what you’re trying to do. Duct Tape– Think: “Hold it together.” Best for temporary repairs, crafts, decorating, and quick fixes.

Super Glue– Think: “Bond it together.” Best for small, precise repairs and appropriate craft or hobby projects. Zip Ties– Think: “Secure it together.” Best for fastening, bundling, organizing, and keeping things from wandering apart.

WD-40 Think: “Help get it moving.” Best for appropriate maintenance jobs where lubrication or loosening is needed. They’re not really competitors. They’re a team or a family.

If someone told me they were moving into their first home and asked what inexpensive things they should pick up, I’d tell them to start building a little household fix-it collection. With these items and a small toll kit with Clorox wipes and they can do anything.

Remember you don’t have to buy everything at once. Watch for sales. Check Dollar Tree. Look at what you already have. And start putting together a little drawer or cabinet with the basics.

Duct tape. Super glue. Zip ties. WD-40. Clorox Wipes. And then, as you have room in your budget, you can add the other basic tools and supplies your household actually needs. Because you don’t have to be a professional handyman to be prepared.

Sometimes you just need to be willing to figure things out. If you ask David what you need to fix something, you’re probably going to get a completely different answer than if you ask me.

He’ll find the duct tape. He’ll find the rope. He’ll find a zip tie. And somehow, he’ll make it work. If you ask me? Give me my butcher knife, my duct tape, and my WD-40 with my Clorox Wipes. I’ll figure something out.

And if Charlie is around? Well, don’t worry. He’s had his own duct tape since he was two. He’s prepared. If he needs help he knows he can always ask David or I and his grandmother to help.

That’s really what this whole conversation comes down to. Duct tape, super glue, zip ties, and WD-40 aren’t glamorous. They’re not the things you necessarily get excited about buying.

But they’re useful. And useful things have a way of becoming household staples. They belong in a new homeowner’s cabinet. They belong in a homeschool supply closet. They can be useful in a teacher’s classroom.

They can help with summer projects. They can save a Halloween craft. They can rescue a Christmas wrapping emergency. And they can help turn inexpensive Dollar Tree finds into something that looks like you spent much more than you actually did.

Most importantly, they remind us that you don’t always need an expensive solution. Sometimes you just need to look at what you already have and think: “How can I make this work?”

That’s something Charlie learned when he was little. It’s something David has mastered. And it’s something I’ve been doing for years. Because if you give me a butcher knife, a roll of duct tape, and a can of WD-40… I can probably fix something. Just don’t give me the screwdriver.

Whether you’re moving into your first home, stocking a classroom, building a homeschool supply cabinet, preparing for Halloween crafts, packing away summer gear, or getting ready for Christmas, these are staples worth considering.

And if you’re buying them through our Amazon links, you’re helping support Greatful Moments while stocking your own home with things you’re actually likely to use. Just remember that household repair products aren’t toys.

Keep super glue, WD-40, and other potentially hazardous supplies safely stored and out of children’s reach. Young children should only use these products with appropriate adult supervision and according to the product directions.

Charlie having his own duct tape was one thing. I was not giving him free access to every product in the household repair cabinet. There is a difference between encouraging a child’s creativity and letting them loose with products that require adult handling.

Fix it. Create it. Build it. But do it safely. And when all else fails? Ask David. He probably has some duct tape. If not you can ask me and I will do my best to help you when I can or find the answer for you.

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates