How to Recycle Household Items for Christmas Presents

When wanting to save money this Christmas Season, consider items you have around the house, finding a new use. It's beyond regifting, it is recreating.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• items from your home
• some craft supplies

1. Buy some spray paint in pretty colors or try antique copper or silver. Spray baskets, decorative boxes, wire baskets or photo frames. Use the nice new basket for a gift basket. Take the new frame and add a family photo or a poem, now you have an outstanding gift.

2. 
    

   CDs, 45s or DVDs - Create gift ornaments or coasters with your old 45 rpm records or cds. Determine which ones you are willing to part with and create something new. Use a backing for the coasters to keep furniture scuff free.

3. Reuse gift wrappers or gift bags to wrap all Christmas gifts this year. This is a tip you probably already use. But if you don't, start this year. When you receive presents in gift bags, try to open items carefully and save for next year. Get a large plastic tote to store Christmas wrapping and trimming for the next season. Under the bed storage works great if you are challenged on space.

4. 
    

   Old mirrors can take on a new life. Find materials larger than the mirror and glue the mirror to the backing. This creates a frame around the mirror. Small circular mirrors can be placed on top of large charger plates. Embellish the edges, if needed. It'll look so nice you might want to keep it for yourself.

5. 
    

   Take your wine glasses and make pretty candles out of them.

6. 
    

   Give your used books on tape, CD or DVD. They might even be in perfect shape.

7. 
    

   Dig back into the past photos. Look for older family photos and make a calendar. Christmas is a great time to give calendars. What fun to receive a unique gift, with a mix of old and new photos.

8. Give a gently used t-shirt, as long as it's in in good shape and maybe almost vintage!

9. Get a group of friends to do an exchange. Call it an exchange party event! Everyone can bring their books, toys, clothes, household items, decorations and clothes that they don't want any longer. Lay items out and let everyone pick things they want to take. Whatever is remaining gets donated to your local shelter or charity.

10. Reuse different items as gift wrapping paper. Try old posters, holiday sections of the news paper and a great favorite previous holiday cards.

11. Take your old keyrings and give them a new life. Cover with a nice fabric or paint for pretty new keychains. Add items like jewelery to create a new look. Have some fun and see what you can come up with.

12. Regift if you can during the holidays. Caution here be certain to remove tags. Do not regift the item to someone the originator knows.

13. Make fabric book marks out of clothes you no longer need. Or use any left over scrap booking paper.

14. Take your frame with matting and wrap fabric over the matting for a new look, add photo and you're done.

15. Take a good look around your home. You might have some recycling gift ideas around for this year too.

Tips & Warnings

• You can check what used records are cds are selling for on eBay if you think you should retain them.
• Search the web for tutorials to make homemade items.
• Tell your family your intentions to recycle and save this year. With the economic issues we are having all will understand.

[Sounique]

on 12/6/2008 Great tips!

[leanan]

on 11/16/2008 Very cool ideas! I like the mirror one.

[listenhere101]

on 11/13/2008 Great way of making your own crafty furniture. WOnderful way of recycling items around your home. 5 stars!

[chenderson00]

on 11/12/2008 Very crafty! Good Stuff! 5*s

[kluke82]

on 11/11/2008 I really like the candle idea!