In a couple days, I expect the living floors of many homes to be covered in a variety of brightly colored paper in various states of disrepair. Upstairs, stashed in a closet, are a few rolls with just a little bit remaining attached to the paper tube because my wife suggests we keep it just in case there is a small last minute gift to wrap. The end of the holidays doesn’t have to be the end of the paper; take a look at these 6 ways to reuse wrapping paper.
Rather than just tossing it in the trash (well, preferably the recycle bin) here are some ways to reuse this wrapping paper.
- Packing Material: Reuse wrapping paper that’s crinkled and ripped to cushion delicate ornaments or other Christmas décor when you are packing it away for the season. Use it when you are shipping items too.
- Art for the walls: Remember covering picture frames with wrapping paper to give your home a festive flair? (Well, ok, I didn’t do it but my grandma did.) If you have an interesting paper, try putting it in a matted frame to add some holiday spirit to any room.
- Make confetti: Reuse wrapping paper by running the paper through a paper shredder or cutting it by hand to create confetti for a New Year’s Eve celebration or birthday.
- Make paper bows: My artistic ability doesn’t stretch this far, but there are lots of tutorials on YouTube for how to turn the paper into colorful one of a kind bows.
- Donate it: If you have extra rolls, check into donating them to senior centers, elementary schools, or other charity organizations. They will gladly reuse wrapping paper in crafts or for wrapping gifts.
- Just add cardstock: Glue wrapping paper onto a sheet of cardstock and the possibilities are endless. Kids can make bookmarks, cards, paper ornaments, or whatever their imagination comes up with.
