Are you looking for creative ways to keep little (or big) hands busy this holiday season? The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) has put together three fun and eco-friendly paper-based festive crafts that everyone can enjoy.
Not only is paper recyclable, it is also renewable. Paper is made from the wood of farmed trees that grown, harvested and replanted, just like we farm corn or wheat. It is also a perfect material for craft and creativity!
- Paper Chains for Your Christmas Tree
- Swap out tinsel for a charming, eco-friendly paper chain to decorate your tree.
- Use white or coloured paper, or even repurpose old magazines.
- Cut the paper into strips approximately 1cm wide by 10cm long, depending on your preferred loop size.
- Take the first strip, glue the ends together to form a loop, and then thread the next strip through the first loop, gluing its ends together to create the next loop.
- Repeat until your paper chain is the desired length.
- Drape your chain around the tree or hang it anywhere in your home for a festive touch.
- Personalised Recyclable Wrapping Paper or Upcycled Gift Bags
- Create unique gift wrap by decorating brown kraft paper or paper bags with stamps, hand or finger prints, drawings, or handwritten messages.
- Wrap your gifts with the decorated kraft paper, tie them with a pretty ribbon, and add some greenery from your garden for a natural look.
- Upcycle branded gift bags by covering logos with a drawing, a piece of Christmas-themed paper, or an old greeting card.
- Paper Baubles
Use the printable template from https://thepaperstory.co.za/resources/printables/ to create your own festive baubles. Print the template on paper or card and follow these instructions:
For a 2D Bauble
- Colour in the baubles however you like. (If you’ve printed on coloured paper, you could skip this step)
- Carefully cut out each bauble shape.
- Glue two baubles back-to-back, with the blank sides facing inward.
- Punch a hole at the top, thread a ribbon or string through the hole, tie a knot, and hang it on your tree.
For a 3D Bauble
- Fold each bauble cutout in half to create a crease.
- Take two cutouts and glue the blank right-hand side of one to the blank left-hand side of the other.
- Repeat this process with the remaining cutouts.
- Once you have two glued sets, glue their blank halves together.
- Before gluing the final set, create a loop with your ribbon or string and glue it into the centre for hanging.
- Glue the last set to the others and fan out the bauble evenly to achieve the 3D effect.
You will also find a video tutorial here.
Safety Reminder
Always supervise children when using scissors or any sharp tools.
