Use a Recession Move to Recycle

When it became clear that my daughters were having trouble adjusting to the move we were going to have to make due to the recession, I started racking my brain for fun project ideas that would include them in the move and make them feel better about moving to an unfamiliar space. The projects that I have included here were not only her favorite, but while we were making them we talked about her feelings about moving as well as the importance of recycling. All of these projects used items that we didn't want to take to the new house as is, and they cost little to no money to recycle them.

Recycle Old Picture Frames
I have a gazillion of these guys and I only know where half of them came from. Now that digital cameras are the norm, I find myself printing out fewer and fewer pictures. I simply upload them to my computer and then e-mail them to my friends and family. And now old picture frames are threatening to overrun their designated box. But luckily, picture frames have loads more uses than just holding old family photos.

You can frame just about anything. I used a lot of my old picture frames to house some of the old greeting cards that I couldn't bring myself to throw away. But, as Green Living points out, there's really no limit to what you can frame. Magazine covers, record albums, vintage wallpaper or fabric, the first dollar you ever earned...the list goes on and on.

Making something to go in the frame like a collage or inspiration board can make a great project for the family. Each of your children can make one for their rooms, and then the family can make one to go in the living room. You can even fill them with pictures of fun times in your old house if the kids are feeling reluctant about making the move.

Old Greeting Cards
Speaking of saving old greeting cards, I have saved almost every birthday, Christmas and Easter card that I have ever received. And lugging a box of them to my new place seemed a little ridiculous and a big waste of space. But then I looked on the 'net and discovered a great craft project: turning old greeting cards (or cereal boxes, or stock paper) into gift boxes. The holidays are right around the corner, and when you have a large family like I do, every saved penny helps around the holidays.

You'll need a greeting card, ruler, pencil, pair of scissors, fork, glue, paper clips and a card you don't mind ruining just in case you mess up the first time. Check out Wikihow for instructions complete with pictures. The resulting box has the card's design on the top of the box, and the inscription on the bottom of the inside of the box. Creating the boxes only takes a few minutes, and they are a great way to save money and make it look like you put a lot of thought, love and care into the gift.

Recycle Wine Bottles
So, I want to preface this admission by saying that I entertain. A lot. Which is why I had so many empty wine bottles around. In my old house, I put them around the window sills and on empty shelving to decorate and commemorate all the tasty wine I've had with friends. But, there's just not room for all of those bottles in my new apartment.

So, I tossed all but five of my favorite bottles in the recycling bins and saved the corks to make cute, recycled place card holders. All you need to transform your wine corks is a razor, some card stock and a fancy pen (or a flexible printer).

Take your razor and cut a lengthwise slice off of the cork so that it will lay flat on the table without too much rolling around. Then, make an incision, lengthwise down the middle on the opposite side of the cork so that the card can fit in it. Next, cut your cardstock into a rectangular (or any other) shape and write in the name of your party guest.

These placeholders are great for large dinners (which I love to throw), baby showers, holidays or any type of gathering.