Tags
Christmas, Christmas 2012, DIY Wrapping Paper, Eco-Friendly, Environmentally Conscious, Green Living, Holidays, Paper Bag Wrapping Paper, Paper Bags, Re-purpose, Recycling
I am usually good about bringing my own reusable shopping bags with me. However, being human, I forget from time to time and the paper bags pile up, using valuable space in my front closet. As I began to place my paper bag collection in the recycling bin the other day, an idea struck me – wrapping paper!
I love wrapping gifts, but there is this teeny, tiny little part of me that feels guilty purchasing rolls and rolls of paper just to be torn and tossed. Reusing a paper bag not only re-purposes a grocery bag, but also saves trees and money for holiday gift wrapping. Also, I hope it also serves as a little recycling reminder to those receiving them. To give is better than to receive, so why not give a little back to the planet?
Recycled Paper Bag Wrapping Paper
You will need:
- Paper shopping bags
- Scissors
- Colored pencils, markers, crayons, stickers, and/or stamps and ink
- Tape, Ribbons, String, and other gift wrapping materials
1. Remove the handles from your paper bags.
2. Find the seam and cut along it. Then proceed to cut along the base, removing the bottom of the bag. You should have one long sheet of paper.
3. If you want plain wrapping paper, you are done and can begin wrapping. If you want to decorate, measure out how much of the paper you will need and trim to size. (We don’t want to waste any!)
4. Decorate with a pattern or picture. Stamps and stickers are also great decorations. And if you have small children, they can customize their own wrapping paper as a fun project.
5. Your Recycled Paper Bag Wrapping Paper is now finished. Wrap some gifts, sip some cocoa, and sing a little carol or two.
Oh man, why didn’t I think of this? I love using brown wrapping paper but couldn’t find any at the store (or at least none that wasn’t more expensive than the other wrapping paper – how does that even make sense?!) Thanks for the tutorial!
I used to buy the brown paper, too. Such a “duh moment.” Why are simple things so hard?!
Cute idea! Brown paper wrapping paper is so chic! I hate all that shiny, printed stuff.
I love the rustic feel of brown paper and twine. You see that under a tree and think at any moment a horse-drawn sleigh might magically appear, or something.
So pretty! And most commercial wrapping paper isn’t even recyclable, so you’re doubly good with this.
I know! You’d think someone would tap into that market. Recycled/recyclable wrapping paper.
I really like this, did you also know the plan to
Protect Rural England and Keep Britain Tidy are fully
behind bringing in the 5p tax on all carrierbags.
A result of this even more people will be buying their own bags and taken these to the supermarkets.