This is the ultimate in recycling!
All you need are the following items -
Old Christmas cards - just the picture sides. Old Birthday cards can be used too.
Christmas wrapping paper and/or giftwrap
Paper/card carrier bags in all sizes - with minimal writing on. Start collecting them throughout the year
Nice cardboard boxes - with minimal writing on - start collecting them throughout the year - if you have space.
Scissors - old pinking shears are good here
A Punch hole
Glue - suitable for paper
Coloured twine - they come in multiple colours. Ebay is a good source. Or old ribbon etc.
To turn your old paper bags into gift bags - look at the amount of "brand" writing on the bag - you are going to need to cover it up with either Christmas wrapping paper or an old Christmas card - depending on the size of writing you need to cover. You may need to cover writing on both sides of the bag.
Cut the wrapping paper to size - enough to cover any writing and simply glue it onto the bag. Repeat on the other side if necessary. Alternatively, if you have a Christmas card - large enough to cover the writing - use that if you want to. Pinking shears are good here as you can cut round the card giving it a festive edge around the sides.
With boxes - do the same as per the bags - just covering up any writing.
To make gift tags - simply cut around Christmas cards - picture side only, and use a punch hole to make a hole in a corner of the tag. Use coloured twine to make a loop and pull through the hole, and tie it into a knot at the top. Depending on the picture - you can cut them into all sorts of shapes and sizes.
Of course, if you want to make birthday gift bags, instead of Christmas wrap to hide the text, use birthday wrap - or other craft papers - or even glossy magazines etc.
This activity is very therapeutic and a great way to spend an evening instead of watching the rubbish on TV.
