Recycled Craft Project: Make Bows from Wrapping Paper and Christmas Cards

Don't you just hate throwing away greeting cards people have sent you in years past? Maybe you feel just the slightest tinge of guilt trashing all of that sparkly, colorful wrapping paper once the kids have torn it off their gifts. If so, you will be pleased to learn that both of these holiday items can be recycled in a delightful way. Learn how to repurpose greeting cards and wrapping paper into decorative bows to top Christmas, holiday or birthday presents. For this craft, all you need is an old greeting card or two, some leftover wrapping paper, scissors and tape.

To begin making bows out of cards and wrapping paper, cut the greeting cards into 1 ½ inch squares. Cut the wrapping paper into ½-inch strips, each strip about four inches long. You will need one greeting card square and about 25 strips of wrapping paper per bow.

Take one strip of wrapping paper and bend it into a small loop, with the undecorated sides of the paper inside of the loop. Tape the loop onto the center of one side of a greeting card square, as close to the edge as possible. Make three more loops, adhering one to the center of each side of the greeting card square. Make four more loops and tape them to the spaces between the first four wrapping paper loops on the greeting card square. Your craft project should now begin to resemble a bow.

Continue making loops with the strips of wrapping paper. Tape another row of loops just in front of the first eight, offsetting them slightly to the left or right of the one behind it to provide a lush, layered appearance. Tape one more row of wrapping paper loops onto the greeting card square. There will be a blank spot in the center of your recycled craft bow. Make one final loop and tape it right into the center of the bow.

If desired, you can attach your recycled craft bows onto presents using double-sided tape. You can also use regular clear tape wrapped into a loop with the sticky side out. If you do not have any old greeting cards or leftover wrapping paper but would still like to make these recycled craft bows, use what you have. Multicolored pages from magazines or comics cut into strips will work just as nicely as wrapping paper. Empty cereal or mac-n-cheese boxes can be cut into squares in place of the greeting cards. Use your imagination and have fun!