If there’s one time of year my Type A personality shines through the brightest, it’s around the holidays. I usually have all my Christmas shopping done by Halloween. My tree is ready to set up by Black Friday. And when it comes to holiday cards, they’re usually addressed and stamped by December 1. 

This year, I ordered our photo cards and envelopes through Minted. I spent about an hour hand-writing the addresses and slotted another chunk of time for sticking stamps. The only thing I didn’t plan? Staying hydrated enough to lick and seal all 75 envelopes. If I were truly Type A, I guess I would have been prepared with one of these inexpensive moisteners.

To make the job easier, I enlisted my husband, who came to the dining room table with a surprisingly effective solution from the kitchen: a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Rather than wasting time (and, I’ve always wondered, spreading germs?) licking each envelope, he simply moistened the corner of the Magic Eraser and slid it across the adhesive part. 

I was worried this method somehow wouldn’t be sticky enough, or that it would get too much water on the envelopes or card, but turns out it was the perfect Hail Mary solution. The entire process of stamping and closing all the holiday cards took all of 10 minutes, and I was able to move on with my day (and, just as importantly, stay on track with my card-sending schedule). 

They say Magic Erasers are the Swiss Army knife of the kitchen, and now I couldn’t agree more.

P.S.: No Magic Eraser on hand when you’re getting your own cards ready? Try the corner of a clean sponge or even a little paint brush or cotton ball. Happy holiday card addressing!

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