Gift wrap paper craft ideas for after Christmas

That's a Wrap: When Christmas morning quieted down and there's paper strewn across the living room, don't despair. Gather it up and put it towards some great craft activities.
That's a Wrap: When Christmas morning quieted down and there's paper strewn across the living room, don't despair. Gather it up and put it towards some great craft activities.

By Siandhara Bonnet

Staff Writer

Sometimes at the end of Christmas morning, people end up with a pile of

wrapping paper.

Of course, people can throw it away and add it to their garbage cans (unless they bought biodegradable paper or paper that scrunches easily, in which case recycle away).

However, for those in the spirit of waste-not want-not, here are a few ideas to reuse the paper no matter the condition:

  1. Origami: If the paper is in better condition, cut out some squares and use it for the art of paper folding. The creations can be used as decorations, ornaments for the next week or in the future (and the print on the front of the paper will give the origami a bit of pop). However, tradition origami paper is a little sturdier than wrapping paper, so be careful. The SpruceCrafts website has 10 Christmas origami ideas including trees, cards, boxes and Christmas crackers, but prepared for some difficulty.

  2. Envelopes: Although snail mail is slowly becoming a thing of the past, there's nothing like receiving a hand-written note and mailing it in a hand-crafted envelope (and grandparents will adore it). Although Poppytalk shows how to make tiny envelopes, it works for bigger ones, too.

  3. Cards: A letter needs to be written on something, so why not use the rest of that paper? Although it may need to be lined with notebook paper or printer paper, people may be impressed with your one-of-a-kind holiday greeting or thank-you cards.

  4. Confetti: Either use a hole-punch or shredder or tear it up yourself. Of course it will make for colorful fun, but make sure not to leave it anywhere outside in case it's not biodegradable.

  5. Box stuffing: Rather than using newspapers (like many often do), pack fragile objects away using old wrapping paper. It can be used as-is, or shredded for that extra cushion.

  6. Use it to line …well… everything: The nicer the paper is, the better it will look, but it can be used to line drawers, bookshelves, trays, frames, walls, doors… A simple decorative trick to bring everyday objects to the next level.

  7. Garlands: These can be as intricate or as simple as people want them to be. Use it for paper chains, cut it up to make paper balls or hanging loops.

  8. Book covers: Keeping track of dust jackets can sometimes be a task, or sometimes used hardbacks don't come with their own. Use the paper to protect the books and give them a little more pizazz — and, this way, no one will really be able to judge it by its cover if they all use the same paper.

  9. Cut out snowflakes: Again, this can be as intricate or simple as desired. Instructables has an easy tutorial on its website to cut out the snowflakes. Just be careful not to cut the connecting link.

  10. Reuse it: Wrapping paper doesn't have to be a one-time use. Store it with the rest of the gift wrapping material and be done with it until next year.

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