7 Christmas Items You Can Recycle

The holidays are upon us.  Today, I’m sharing tips on Christmas items you can recycle.  There’s food, music, carols, lights, Santa and reindeer. We spend hours trimming the tree, wrapping gifts, and preparing to entertain family and friends. Also, we spend days reading Christmas cards from family and friends and finding the perfect spot to display them.

Finally, Christmas day arrives! We find a mountain of ripped gift wrap and bows in the middle of the floor. The kitchen is filled with empty wine bottles and corks from the gathering, and you realize that you purchased too many candy canes for the kids. Not to worry, don’t throw any of it away. There’s tons of ideas to recycle all of it.

 

 

Christmas Items You Can Recycle

 

Check out our tips on Christmas Items You Can Recycle:

Christmas Cards – First, Christmas cards have beautiful scenery on them.  You can recycle and use them as gift tags, frame them for a vignette, or donate them to your local school.

Candy Canes –   Next, candy canes can be used as stirrers for hot chocolate.  Kids love them.  Also, they can be pulverized and used in sugar scrubs or cookies and brownie recipes.

Wrapping Paper –  So, piles of wrapping paper are sitting in your living room. A 33 gallon garbage bag should be big enough to hold it.  But, don’t throw it away.  Wrapping paper can used for crafts, book covers, scrapbooking, shreds, puzzles for kids and more.  Save the best pieces and get creative.

Wine Bottles and Corks – Paint the wine bottles and use them as vases or for seasonal messages on mantel.  Joy or Peace can painted on them for Christmas or BOO for Halloween.  The wine bottles are perfect for ring toss games.  Additionally, turn corks into wreaths, ornaments or other crafts.

Christmas Gift Bows and Ribbon – Furthermore, turn Christmas bows into wreaths or use them on next year’s gifts.  Save only those that are in good condition.

Cardboard Shipping Boxes –  Cardboard boxes make great craft material.

Gift Wrap Tubes – Last, these make tubes are sturdy and make great bases for kid’s crafts.

Finally, I hope that you will find Christmas items you can recycle.  So, if you’re a crafter put your creativity hat on and get to work next season.  You have plenty of time to find projects, and be sure to involve the kids!  You may also like: 7 Christmas Morning Tips You Need.

 

Kid’s Christmas Craft: Christmas Tree

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on a kid’s Christmas crafts.  It’s easy and would be perfect for little hands.  It makes a beautiful Christmas card for parents or grandparents.  Furthermore, it is also a great project for first or second grade students. 

 

Kid’s Christmas craft:

 

 

kindergarten Christmas crafts

 

  • Cardstock or construction paper  (I purchased a pack of construction paper from Dollar Tree)
  • green washable paint  (I purchased the paint from Michaels)
  • brown washable paint
  • glitter (optional)
  • gold or silver star

 

Kindergarten Christmas crafts

 

 

Step 1 – Fold your stock card in half.  Use any color that will make your days jolly and bright.  Just make sure that you Christmas tree will show well on whatever color you choose.

Step 2 – Next place a few dots of brown paint on a paper plate.  Add green paint to your plate as well.  Instead of making a circle, you will need to form a straight line on the plate.  You will be dipping the toothbrush in the green paint, so you will need the line long enough so you can cover the toothbrush bristles.

Step 3 – For your information, I found it easier to draw the tree truck on the cardstock in pencil.  It’s easier for the kids to try to paint inside established lines rather than trying to paint the tree truck freehand.  You can sharpen the outline of the tree truck with a small brush once the kids finish painting it.

Step 4 – Allow the tree trunk to dry completely before you proceed.  It should take approximately 10  – 15 minutes.

Step 5 – Once the trunk has dried, dip the toothbrush into the green paint.  Help the children move the toothbrush up the paper to make strokes for the tree branches.  Dip the brush back into the green paint and move the toothbrush down the opposite side of the card to make a branch.

 


 

 

Step 6 – Repeat Step 5 until the tree is complete.  Allow the paint to dry completely.

Step 7 – Once the tree is dry, add a star to the top.  (This step is optional).

Step 8 – Add glitter to the branches (This step is also optional).

 

We hope our kid’s Christmas craft will be a fun family activity.  Last older children can write a message inside the Christmas card wishing mommy and daddy or their grandparents a Merry Christmas.  Let the smaller children write a message or their name as well.  Most importantly, they will be sure to put a smile on the recipient’s face.

 

28 Holiday Recipes, Crafts and Decorating Ideas



Happy Holidays!  They’re around the corner and if you’re like me, you’re looking for delicious recipes, great decorating ideas, and fun crafts for kids.  I like to start decorating after Thanksgiving. Check out my holiday round-up, here’s 28 great ideas for recipes, crafts and decorating.  

I have so many Christmas decorations that I acquired over years, so I’m always looking for a way to re-purpose them. As my readers know, I’m all about budgeting and doing things in the most cost effective way. Not only have I hung to years old decorations, I’m surrounded by woods and evergreens.  So I look for ideas to use with natural items that I can retreat from my neighbor’s or my yard.  A can of paint from the Dollar Store and a new twist on an old item and I’m good to go.  

Lets get ready to whip up fabulous dishes, decorate awesome trees and tables, and spend time making fun crafts with the kids.

holiday ideas, holiday round-up

Rainbow Christmas Tree found at Inspired by Charm
White Center Piece found at Discover 0
Candy Cane Sleighs found at  Princess Pinky Girl
Champagne Punch found at Between Naps On The Porch
Chocolate Spoons found at Cherished Bliss
Gingerbread Kids found at Just Imagine
Grinch Punch found at Parent Map
Pillsbury Christmas Tree found at Pillsbury
Holiday Sled found at Junk Chic Cottage
Christmas Party Punch found at Fashion and Pop Culture
Candy Cane Candle Holder found at The Mother Huddle
Popcorn Snowmen found at Creative Kids Snacks
Epsom Salt Centerpieces found at Hing Design
Santa Bread found at Taste of Home
Christmas Wagon found at Style Estate
Baby Food Jar Snowmen found at Hip 2 Save
Snowman Doughnuts found at Dukes and Duchesses
Christmas Mail Box found at Christmas Holiday
Paper Plate Christmas Tree found at I Heart Crafty Things
Oranges and Cloves  found at Your Nest Design
Rainbow Tree found on Ebay
Monogram Wreath found at Martha Stewart
Mistle Toes found at Babble
Pull Apart Christmas Tree found at Electric Recipes
Gift Basket Idea found at Megan Shipton
Wine Glass Center Pieces found at Pinterest
Tomato Cage Christmas Tree found at NEDC Design and Construction
The Stair Case found on the Relax Deco

 I’m loving the Monogram Wreath, Stair Case, and the Doughnut and Popcorn Snowmen. My grandchildren love both, so guess what will be on their snack plates during the holidays.  I hope these ideas have motivated you too. If you need more information on how to create your inspiration, click on the link and go check out these crafty bloggers.  What are some of your favorites?