Every holiday season, we eagerly anticipate the excitement of giving and receiving gifts. However, with the joy of gift-giving comes the aftermath of discarded wrapping paper, which often ends up in landfills. Did you know in the U.S. every year produce approximately 4.6 million pounds (2.1 million kilograms) of wrapping paper, with about half of it ending up in landfills? While most wrapping paper is recyclable, some styles cannot be recycled, especially if it has Scotch tape on it. But don’t despair – there are many creative ways to upcycle leftover Christmas wrapping paper and reduce waste.
Make Paper Bows
No gift is complete without a festive bow. Leftover wrapping paper can be turned into a gorgeous bow, adding a personal touch to your gifts. Many DIY paper bow tutorials are available online that are easy to follow, even for beginners.
Make a Pen Holder
If you’re tired of boring pen cups, use leftover wrapping paper to decorate a pen or pencil holder. Old tin cans can be repurposed and dressed up with holiday-themed wrapping paper, making delightful holiday-themed office decor.
Safely Store Fragile Decorations
Use leftover wrapping paper to protect ornaments and fragile decor during storage. Wrap breakable ornaments with it or scrunch it between packed decorations for extra cushioning.
Turn Paper into Confetti
Extra wrapping paper is perfect for creating paper confetti. Just run Christmas gift wrap through a paper shredder and sprinkle it over the table or mantel for decoration. Put confetti around boxes of cookies and other treats being shipped to make the package more festive.
Make a Paper Wallet
Create a wallet made from leftover wrapping paper for a fun and Christmas-y way to stash some of your holiday cash. WikiHow has directions for three styles of paper wallets, including one for bitcoin.
Frame It
Some Christmas paper is too gorgeous to throw away. Display your wrapping paper on the living room wall or add it to a picture frame to infuse your home with the holiday spirit. Add embellishments to the artwork as you would to a present.
Create Paper Ornaments
Making attractive paper ornaments and decorations with leftover wrapping paper is a perfect craft for families with kids. Many tutorials are available online that provide step-by-step instructions, making it easy to get started.
Make Decorative Tray Liners
Line treat trays and cookie spreads with leftover wrapping paper to create a festive setting. Yummy holiday treats look even more appealing when presented on a bed of colorful wrapping paper.
Design a Paper Christmas Tree
Using leftover wrapping paper to create a cute homemade paper Christmas tree is a unique and fun activity. This can even put the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to shame.
Finally, upcycling leftover Christmas wrapping paper is an easy and creative way to reduce waste and spread cheer during the holiday season. From creating paper bows and wallets to designing a paper Christmas tree, the possibilities are endless. With a little imagination and some wrapping paper, you can add a personal touch to your gifts and make the world a better place, one craft project at a time.
