While many people have switched to the digital age for lists and such, some people still prefer handwritten to-do lists and grocery lists. There is something so satisfying about checking something off your list when it is bought or done. I was given a grocery list tear off pad for a gift about 6 years ago. It has totally worked for me because all it takes is a quick checkmark on the list when I am out of something. Plus my kids are of reading age now and they can use it too. I created a custom list that you can edit to reflect your grocery needs.
Supplies:
Printable and customizable grocery list (26 copies)
cardboard (I used a cereal box)
paper cutter
scoring blade or bone folder
drill
1/4” drill bit
2 screwdrivers
2 posts 1/4” x 3/8”
binder clips
super strong magnets
glue (I used E6000)
Optional:
patterned paper
Mod Podge
pencil
1. Using the template I have provided make a personalized grocery list in Microsoft Word. Print out 26 copies. (For some reason the check boxes didn’t print when I had my husband print them off for me, but they are on the file and should print okay for you). This will allow you to have 52 pages (one for each week).
2. Using a paper cutter cut all the paper in half lengthwise.
3. Next cut a piece of cardboard the same size as your pages (4.25″ x 11″). Don’t be afraid to recycle old cereal boxes, etc.
4. Next cut another piece of cardboard 4.25” x 2”. Then score it at 1 1/8” and 7/8” one the long side.
Optional: If you want a decorative border do the same with a piece of patterned paper or cardstock. Then Mod Podge the decorative paper onto the cardboard making sure the score lines match up and that you burnish the sides down well.
5. Next take your stack of papers and line the sheets up by shuffling them even with the cardboard backer in place as well. Then take your cardboard border and put if at the top of your pad securing it in place with binder clips.
5. Using an electric drill, drill holes next to the blinder clips on both sides with 1/4” drill bit. Don’t worry if the hole doesn’t look perfect.
I found the posts at my local hardware store for $.45 each ($.90 total for one pad). They are called aluminum posts. Put the post in place and use a screwdriver to tighten the screw into the post.
7. Flip the pad over and glue two super strong magnets onto the back of your cardboard.
8. Then you can just rip off the page each time you go to the store and it will leave a fresh one in its place. The cardboard gives just enough of an edge for a nice tear.
Optional: Add a magnet strip to a pen to have easy access to a writing supply.
I had everything on hand and printed my own lists on my laser printer. But I am guessing they would cost you less than $2 a pad which makes a great neighbor, co-worker, or friend gift, don’t you think?
055
originally posted December 5, 2010. I took new pictures for the repost!
These are great! Thank you!! I've been needing something to finish off a couple of presents and these will do just the job as they are kitchen gadget presents!
Those are great! Don't look hard to do at all! Thanks for the template.
What a great project, thanks for sharing!
This is too cute and I have to make for thrifty gifts! Thanks!
I LOVE this idea! It's just what I needed! Thanks for sharing.
I love this project! I just might have to try it for myself!!
FREEEE-KIN' Brilliant. Thanks for sharing. I'm off to try a couple of these for holiday gifts.
Fantastic!! I love the idea of being able to customize the list to what I normally buy. Thank you for the tutorial, I plan to make one for me and some for Christmas
Brilliant, Beckie! I can always use more organization in my life. Thank you so much for the download!
This is fantastic- I'm so doing this, and featuring this while I'm at it;) Thanks for the great idea!
I did the same thing a few years ago, but mine does not look anywhere as beautiful as yours does. I can't wait to use your tutorial for mine. If you aren't printing them for gifts, I did mine in order of the layout of my grocery store so I don't have to skip around the list. Makes it much easier to convince DH to do to shopping!!!
That is adorable and a great idea! My sister saw mine (store bought) the other day and wanted one. Maybe I'll have to make one!
that is such a great gift idea! I like getting gifts that I can use after Christmas. I am practical like that – lol.
xoxo
Jen
Love it! Thanks for sharing your file and making it edit-able. You're the best!
Love it…do you know what your margins are set to because my computer shifts the layout onto two pages instead of one…so I probably just need to adjust the margins. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, never mind, I figured it out. You have two links for the file but each link is a different download. No problem, got it now, thanks!
this is so fun!!! I edited to fit my friend a little closer and am printing now!!! So much for getting a lot done today, I will be at my desk!! Thanks for ALL the great ideas you are sharing!!!
Great idea! I bought something similar from Target a while back, but I really like this because you can customize the items on the list. Thanks for sharing!
This is the bomb!!!!! I love this idea…..I'm going to make these for my DD office friends…..inexpensive but truly worthy!!!!! thank you so much for sharing this with us…..Oh and mod podge rocks too…..
This is awesome. I actually have a similar store bought, but you can bet that I'll be making my own from now on. Thanks for sharing.
These are so great! Love them! I just might make some of these for some gifts this year. Thanks for the great idea!
Cute, Beckie! perfect neighbor gift for sure!
Cute! I'll be linking:-)
Love it – for years I had a pre-printed list, but this is sooo much cuter!!!
Love it! Passing it on to my friends
Great tutorial! I had been trying to figure out a way to make a weekly/monthly to-do list. I wanted to be able to put together the chores that I need to do once a week, once a month, etc, and be able to check them off. I decided that having a tear off pad would be the best thing for me, that way I wouldn't have to re-create the to-do list every week or month. I would just run to the fridge and check it off, tear off at the end of the week, start over. I couldn't figure out how to do it, but this should work perfectly. I'll have to try this, and maybe you have helped me to be more organized, with a cleaner house!
Great Idea. I have a store bought one but am always adding a section for Costco or the Dollar Store so I don't have to use another list.
Rather than checking off what we need, we highlight it. Then we check it off in the store. It makes it easier to see at a glance.
This is really neat. I shared your link on my blog so my readers can enjoy it also. Thanks so much!
I really love this – but I can't stop giggling at the abbreviation "animal crack." I'm sorry. Fabulous otherwise!
THis is an awesome idea – you are really handy!
This is Great! lol the animal crack is too funny!
Wow! Thanks! This is great, going to try to make a few this weekend for gifts!
I like how you saw a need and figured out a way to meet it. Awesome job! 🙂
Great idea! Years ago I made grocery lists up for myself that went in order of each section of the grocery store. What a great idea for a gift!
This is a great project. I'd love to make some but the template won't open for me. Can anyone help me please?
Kathy
eggdcr8tr@satx.rr.com
This is Amazing I am making some for everyone on my Christmas list today! Thanks
I'm not able to find the link for the shopping list. Could you please send it to me dkcalhoun@gmail.com Thank You!
I love this. I had to purchase a few things because my craft supply is very limited. $10 for a Martha Stewart scoring kit. $5 for red raffia. $2 worth of decorative scrap book paper. $40 for a good paper cutter. $6 for a large piece of white card board. (Unfortunately I recycled all of my cereal boxes.) I couldn't find my Ace hardware store, so I ended up at Lowe's and they only had aluminum posts for $.80 each. So the initial cost was a bit higher than I thought but many of those things I'll be using time and time again so I'm not calculating that in my per gift totals. I'm sure glad I bought two reams of paper at $1 each during the back to school sale.
I found that 26 copies = 52 pages was a little too thick for the 1/4" posts. So for the next one I'm going to make 18 copies. It's beautiful, practical, consumable, and inexpensive. Your directions are so clear and easy to follow. The one person that received one so far loved it. Thanks for the idea and for the file that can be edited. Love it! And yes, I really, really like you!
This is great! I just love it, and a great way to make sure you get everything!
A super idea! I'm going to make one to add to my sister's gift. Thanks so much for the wonderful tutorial!
What an awesome idea. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
Libby
This is genius! How did I miss this post? I wish I had seen it earlier. I would have made one for everybody. I'm making one for me tomorrow!
Can't wait to make these tear pads! Had a day off and figured out how to print the pages and will have them made in no time. This will make my life so much easier since my family will be able to make the list when something is needed.
Thanks for the great project.
A friend in my moms group told me about your template. Thanks and much luv from Texas!
I've been trying to download the template and it won't work for me in WordPerfect. Any hints?
nancy l.
This is AWESOME! I just made one and posted about it here: http://somethingwilde.blogspot.com/2011/01/grocery-list-tear-off-pad.html
Thanks for the inspiration!
I love it…but where can i find the template?
Love your idea of highlighting and then checking it off at the store! Good tip, thanks!
Very cute & helpful! Thanks for sharing this idea, I had to share it others!
http://diy4mommies.blogspot.com/2012/09/things-to-buy-fridge-helper.html
Thanks Felicia! Glad I could help and thank you for sharing 😉
Thank you for sharing this wonderful project.
I have problems to download the list.
Can someone send me the list?
Thank you in advance.
A big hug from Germany
Sonja
Thank you for the great inspiration! I made my own version here =D
Great idea! Totally going to try this. One tech tip: Unless you’re getting cash from 4shared.com….public Dropbox is free and it doesn’t require us to sign-up for an account 😀
Wow! This is really something I want to try! However, I couldn’t get the download. I clicked everywhere clickable, but no…must we download that program to get the download? Any way to get it as a jpeg? Thanks!
why cant you just paint a piece of a wall with chalkboard paint then write the items you are most likely to forget. i mean does anyone really forget to pick up the staples?
You definitely could paint the wall with chalkboard paint. I recently saw someone paint the inside of one of their kitchen cabinets with chalkboard paint for their grocery list.
Hi – I can’t download the item with the link above. Any way you can email me the list at susanlarsonmn@hotmail.com? Much appreciated! Thanks! Susan
Great tutorial – thank you for the printable!
You are welcome, Anne. So glad you can use it!
Thank you very much.