Punkiesmom

For that annoying gap in the drapes, I clip 3 plastic clothespins to an index card and put them in my misc. bag. I use two on the drapery and clip one to the outside of the misc bag to remind me to retrieve the other two.

PamNC

I just had to respond due to your name - Punkiesmom. I don't know how you came by the name, but we used to have a Lhasa Apso that we named Punkin. What a sweet baby! We enjoyed him for 18 yrs., 3 mos. and 2 weeks. He was our "dog child" and we often referred to ourselves as Punkies' mom or dad. Your "handle" just brought back GREAT memories.

Now, as for your tip, great idea! We can't stand to have blackout drapes and then have a thin line of light blazing into the room. It never seems to fail though. One time I resorted to large paperclips that I was using for some trip notes. Yours is a much better way to go. Thanks....

HappyTrvlr

I also carry an extra large safety pin to close the drapes, a tip I learned from reporter Charles Kuralt in his book "Life on the Road." I pin it to my toiletry bag in the morning.

spcfa

I carry safety pins in every size - there are endless ways these tiny, lightweight and versatile objects have helped me over the years in my travels, from closing drapes, emergency hems/clothing repairs, keeping a pair of glasses together when the pin fell out, keeping my backpack zippers closed to pickpockets in downtown Madrid, getting out a splinter, helping me re-thread a drawstring that had come out, expand a pair of pants that had become tight in the waistline, keeping on a scarf in a strong wind, etc. They are worth their weight in gold if you remember you have them!

LSky

I carry plastic clothes pins, the type that are attached to plastic hangers so the pins do double duty. They can be used on the hanger or on the drapes.