Long, long ago -- before there were plastic storage bags which were resealable or zip-locked -- there were ***Baggies***.  They were the first plastic bags designed to store food and other vulnerable items and it wasn't long before most of us were wondering what we ever did without them.  Today, ***Hefty Baggies Plastic Storage Bags*** are still made by Pactiv Corporation and packaged in the familiar red boxes in three sizes:  150 "Sandwich" bags, 75 one-gallon bags, and 20 two-gallon "Jumbo" bags.  Prices may vary but all are reasonable and affordable. ***Hefty Baggies Plastic Storage Bags*** are not fancy -- no zip or reseal feature of any kind -- and their secure closure requires a twisted red tie yet it is this very simplicity which makes them so flexible and suited for such versatile uses. **What Would I Have Done Without Them?** Years ago, when I packed everything up to move from my apartment over on Lake Street to my condo, I brought a lot of stuff with me including beautiful and fragile lead crystal wine, water, cordial, and sherbet glasses.  Back then, I didn't even know I could buy moving boxes so whatever containers I could find had to be packed to the max.  I wrapped each piece of lead crystal in a ***Baggie*** "Sandwich" bag and tied it with the twist-tie in such a way that there was enough air left to inflate the ***Baggie***, thereby creating a slight balloon effect which didn't take up a lot of space in the box but protected each crystal from bumping against another.  Because each item was packed this way, I could fit them all into one box (without added fillers or cushioning material), and they all survived the trip in perfect shape. **How Do I Love Them -- Let Me Count The Ways!** Wherever clear, transparent and dependable protection is needed, ***Baggies*** perform like champs -- especially suited for those storage places where moisture and mildew could be a concern such as cabinets under sinks or basement areas.  Any book stored in the basement or storage locker (not a great idea but sometimes unavoidable) should be wrapped in a ***Baggie ***first.  The two-gallon (Jumbo) size are especially good for the storage of seasonal decorations and gift-wrapping materials or as *impromptu* canisters to protect opened boxes of kitchen staples.  If you have an "open" kitchen, where some things cannot be stored in the protection of a cabinet, ***Baggies*** can be slipped over certain items as protective dust covers which will display the items as well.  ***Hefty Baggies Plastic Storage Bags*** are so soft and flexible that excess air can be squeezed out before twist-tying, thereby affording a protection for various kinds of refrigerated food and leftovers that will rival Tupperware or Rubbermaid.  I have also used this airtight storage method to save space and organize things packed into my luggage for trips. **MY VIEWPOINT:** The **bad** news about ***Hefty Baggies Plastic Storage Bags*** is that they are being gradually elbowed out by fancier, more sophisticated storage bags (ironically including other Hefty products).  It is more and more difficult to find ***Baggies*** in the stores and the wonderful "Jumbo" size is now only available at [Alice.com][1] where I am sure the guys are wondering what the heck I am doing with all these ***Baggies*** I have been ordering.  The answer to that is easy -- I tend to appreciate and remain loyal to products I have come to trust and I have learned not to take for granted that they will always be there, so I'm stocking up on ***Hefty Baggies Plastic Storage Bags*** while I have the chance and I would recommend that to everyone else too.         [1]: http://www.viewpoints.com/Alice-com-review-1ade

AnnaBanana

Oak Park, IL