No, I’m not talking about re-gifting, here. This is talking about recycling or re-using all the leftover stuff you find yourself with on Boxing Day. First of all, if you have kids, there’s going to be a lot of leftover cardboard and plastic. My advice is to keep things simple and put it all in the blue bin straight away. But here are two fun ideas for re-purposing at least some of the waste.
Take leftover wrapping paper, for instance. This year, I got some gifts that were wrapped in stunningly beautiful papers. It felt like such a shame to just ball it all up and toss it in the blue bin, so I carefully unwrapped the gifts and set it aside. Later on, I plan to frame it and use it for artwork in my downstairs powder room, because the colours are just perfect. Here’s an example for inspiration:
Simple!
And while we’re on the topic of framing artwork, I found a great idea for some vintage glass ornaments I inherited that have gotten broken over the years. Instead of tossing out these family heirlooms, I plan to mount them in a shadow box to use as a classy, modern Christmas decoration next year!
Just turn the broken side to the back, mount with a hot glue gun and voila!
Hope you had a wonderful holiday, and that you’ll find some ways to re-purpose some of the leftovers (and that goes for more than just the turkey!)
Yeah, this is great. I am from Germany and we learn recycling in school already. So it was a huge schook when I came here first.
I used all the cardboard for my girls to craft and draw on it, the left over wrapping papers, depend on there condition, either folded away for next christmas or used for little craft projects with the girls, same with the quit ribbons. And the christmas cards, my girls love to keep them, they get put up as decoration every year. And if we have too much, I give it to my daughters daycare, where they love to use it all for there projects. Asked your daycare, maybe they can use your recycle stuff as well.
I brought them all my empty cleaned jars, plastic yogurth cups, papers…. They do a lot more projects then me here at home and always can use it,
I also have some heirloom glass ornaments, as well as some natty old decorations made by a great aunt that I really want to preserve…I’ll be putting them in shadow boxes for sure! Thanks for the great idea.
these are very cool ideas. The shadow box is something I might consider for an old angel that had been on top of my tree since I was little that desperately needs to be retired. I just didn’t have the heart to stop putting it out during the holidays. This is a perfect idea for her! Thanks.
I love all of your amazing ideas! I can’t believe all the incredible things that you can do with your Christmas garbage. Thanks for the creative challenge.