probably just for her own information. My MIL dates everything she buys, we kind of rib her about it, but when you live alone it is a good idea to know how long that can of beans has been there or if you really need TP. and far easier than an Excel spread sheet.
At a garage sale I found a metal box with a drawer that was made for small tool. It is about 12" X 12" by about 1" high.
It holds perfectly a tray with filled bobbins and my needle packets. Perfect. I added a depression era glass knob which I love.