Variables are analogous to hangers

Variables in Alice are analogous to hangers in a closet.

A variable is a place in memory where data of a specific type can be stored for later retrieval and use.

The hangers in a closet provide a place where clothing items of different types can be stored for later retrieval.

Unlike the hangers in a closet, each variable is given a unique name to make it easy to find in order to store data into and retrieve data from it. 

(The hangers in my closet don't have unique names.)