Instructions for Homemade Recycled Party Favors

Make recycled party favors for your guests to enjoy.

Recycled party favors are an inexpensive and eco-friendly alternative to traditional party favors. Depending on the recyclable items you already have in your home, you could make a wide variety of different kinds of favors. Even if you don't possess the necessary materials in your home to complete the project, you can probably solicit friends, neighbors or a local business such as a grocery store to acquire the items you need free of charge. Consider the age demographic of your party guests to choose an appropriate recycled party favor design. Use decorative materials like fabric, ribbon, paints and markers to spruce up your recyclables.

Things You'll Need

• Old crayon nubbins
• Aluminum foil
• Baking pan
• Glass bottles
• Acrylic paints
• Ribbon (optional)

Instructions

Favors for Children

1. Gather old crayon nubbins in your home and remove the wrappers. Place the bits into an aluminum foil-lined baking pan.

2. Melt the crayons in the oven at 300 degrees.

3. Remove the melted crayons and allow them to cool. Use cookie cutters to cut out crayon shapes of your choice to give away as party favors.

For Adults

1. Lay out old newspapers on a flat surface and place a glass wine or soda bottle on top to begin creating a recycled vase or candle holder. For a wider mouth, use a plastic bottle and cut the neck portion off with scissors.

2. Paint the bottle with acrylic paints in colors and a pattern of your choice. Allow two to four hours for it to dry.

3. Tie a decorative ribbon around the neck of the bottle, or glue on decorative embellishments if desired. Place a flower, real or fake, in the opening of the bottle to indicate its use as a vase, or turn it into a candle holder by inserting a candle stick.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many different uses for recycled items. To narrow your options, try to make items that incorporate your party's theme or purpose.

References

• Family Time; Make Your Own Crayons
• We Know Stuff: Recycled Bottle Vases