Wrap Up Holiday Gift Wrap

50 Ideas For Reusing Wrapping Paper

BY HILARY GROUTAGE SMITH

THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

In the wrapping-paper world, there are savers and crumplers.

That is especially evident at this time of the year when many a living room is about to be -- if not already -- covered with paper.

For the savers out there, and crumplers thinking about becoming recyclers, Decorating With Giftwraps by Carol Endler Sterbenz (Abrams 1989) is full of ideas for reuse of wrapping paper, particularly the quality stuff with a high rag content. It will enjoy a long life as covering for gift boxes, jewelry or frames, she writes.

Need more ideas?

Here are 50 compiled from the Endler Sterbenz book, now out of print, and various other sources:

1. Fold the paper for re-wrapping next year.
2. Cover cardboard boxes, either handmade or purchased in craft stores.
3. Make holiday placemats.
4. Cover coasters for a holiday flair.
5. Shred paper for confetti on New Year's Eve.
6. Use wrapping paper as bird cage liner.
7. Create a colorful backdrop for a fish tank.
8. Learn origami and fold Christmas wrap into beautiful little cranes.
9. Make party hats for New Year's Eve.
10. Wrap birthday and wedding presents for people born or married in January.
11. Make papier mache pinatas to fill with candy and smash at the next holiday gathering.
12. Decorate holiday pages of scrapbooks.
13. Cover picture frames.
14. Make book covers.
15. Use as drawer liners.
16. Wrap ornaments to safely store them for next year.
17. Shred the wrapping paper and put it inside clear ornaments available at craft stores.
18. Twist wrapping paper tightly and use as fire starters.
19. Cut paper into sheets that can be used for children's coloring paper.
20. Cut paper and staple it into notepads to keep by the phone.
21. Fold the paper into thank you notes for gifts received at Christmas.
22. Wrap paper around potted plants for a festive look.
23. Make paper dolls.
24. Cover file folders for an attractive place to keep household bills or the Christmas card list.
25. Cover small wooden shapes purchased at a craft store and turn them into necklaces.
26. Stuff wads of paper into the toe of boots to keep feet toasty.
27. Cover tissue boxes.
28. Wrap flower bouquets.
29. Use as cat box liner.
30. Cover plain brown paper ornaments found in craft stores.
31. Make tiny papier mache beads; string them for the tree or make necklaces.
32. Cover guestbooks used at holiday gatherings.
33. Create covers for writing journals.
34. Cut designs or figures for the cover of cards to send next year.
35. Cut shapes for a holiday mobile.
36. Make gift tags.
37. Cover a small, inexpensive lampshade.
38. Line jewelry boxes.
39. Make a cover for the telephone book.
40. Using diluted glue or decoupage to paste the used paper to wine or juice bottles.
41. Use it as a mat for the background of holiday snapshots.
42. Make a cheap cat toy -- no kitty can refuse batting around a piece of wadded up tissue paper.
43. Use trimmed sheets as holiday stationary.
44. Fold handmade envelopes for use with holiday stationary.
45. Cut wrapping paper into snowflakes to hang from the ceiling.
46. Fold into the shape of a hanky and put in a suit coat pocket for a festive look.
47. Make bookmarks for The Night Before Christmas and the Bible.
48. Use as a backdrop for seasonal shadowboxes.
49. Tie a piece to your car's antenna so it can be easily spotted in a parking lot.
50. Make a folder to hold your holiday sheet music.