Longaberger Travel 5: Go Big with Laundry Baskets

Nothing beats the access of a Small Laundry Basket, perfect for some types of travel. Not something you would carry through an airport, Longaberger's Laundry Baskets are built to carry heavy loads and do it beautifully. With their wide-open tops, carefully-packed items are easily located, removed, and replaced, perfect for vehicle-to-hotel or camper travel.

Our family used to take our bass boat over and stay at Lilley's Landing in Branson, Missouri, about an hour from our home. Located on Lake Taneycomo, near Table Rock Lake, Lilley's offered small cabins that were close to all the fun and excitement of Branson but were still secluded. In the morning, my son and I would go have breakfast and shop while my husband and his friend fished for lake trout on Taneycomo. We would meet for a tasty lunch, and then my son and husband would go fishing on Table Rock while I shopped at more outlet malls. A wonderful dinner topped off the day. We had the perfect routine, and Laundry Baskets were very useable in the cabin. They also corral all of your Branson purchases well in your SUV.

One afternoon we headed to Branson without a reservation at Lilley's, having always had success getting a cabin. Surprise! Lilley's had no vacancy. We ended up staying at Chateau on the Lake. What a gorgeous place, right on Table Rock! Not somewhere you want to pass through the grand lobby carrying Longaberger Laundry Baskets, contents open to the world (and we didn't, having found elevators close to a side door). 

Three of my favorite Longaberger Laundry Basket styles, shown to the left and from the left, are the Small Laundry, the Lattice Laundry, and a Blanket Basket. 

The sturdy Small Laundry Basket (left) was available for many years (off and on from 1979 through at least 2017) and is loved by many. With handles cut under the heavy top band, the Small Laundry Basket carries a load. I had spaces built for two to slide out like drawers in my laundry room cabinets, and I have Classic stained Small Laundry Baskets there. A family cat obediently had and raised her kittens on folded towels in one, years ago. This Signature Weave Small Laundry was available for a short time in 2010-2011. My other favorite Small Laundry Baskets are a Bold Red stain and a Santa Belly Small Laundry.

The hostess-only Lattice Weave Laundry Basket (center) was available in 2006-2007 as Longaberger tried some diagonal weaves for something different. It has pretty, braided leather loop ears on each end and an inverted openweave bottom. There was a booking basket miniature of this basket at the time that is very cute.

The Blanket Basket (right) was introduced in 2007. It has a "cat's head" bottom, with pointy corners and a slightly inverted open-weave middle, as well as leather loop ears. This design was supposed to save the basket from daily wear and tear and add strength and airflow. This special American Craft Traditions weave combined olive, merlot, rich brown, and deep brown stain colors, reminiscent of the Maine landscape. Blanket Baskets have leather loop ears on each end.

We use Small Laundry Baskets to carry items out to the camper from the kitchen, leave them at home, and take them back out when we get home to carry laundry, food, and anything else. They also create good traditions, A favorite photo has my son and his little cousin, both toddlers, sitting together in a Small Laundry in their little first Halloween costumes one year. Some of my favorite Laundry Basket memories are carrying food and wrapped gifts to family Christmas gatherings and bringing home leftovers and gifts.