Looking for creative ways to keep little (or big) hands busy this holiday season? The Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) has come up with three fun and eco-friendly paper crafts that everyone can enjoy.
Not only is paper recyclable, but it is also renewable. Made from the wood of farmed trees that are grown, harvested, and replanted, just like crops such as corn or wheat, paper is the perfect material for crafting 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 about 1cm wide by 10cm long.
- 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 around 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, handprints, 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 this printable template 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, 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 can also find a video tutorial here.Safety Reminder
Always supervise children when using scissors or any sharp to
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