13 uses for leftover wrapping paper

FOR THE HOME:

1. Use as a mat in a picture frame
Who says mats have to be white? Cut wrapping paper to size and mount your chosen photo onto it and place in any frame.
2. Line shelves or drawers
Refresh your cabinets with some festive wrapping.
3. Decoupage and scrapbooking supplies
Take those small trimmings you might just toss out and cut into shapes and strands to dress up a scrapbook or decoupage project.
4. Cover soup cans for chic desk organization
A pop of color turns a plain old can into a cool corral for pencils and pens.

FOR THE KIDS:

5. Back to school book covers
Trade grocery bags for glamorous wrap. A heavier or coated paper works best for this project.
6. Make origami squares
Cut thinner wrapping paper (heavy or coated paper is harder to fold) into 6-inch squares. The kids will be entertained for hours.
7. Pretty pins or buttons
Have a button making kit? Use wrapping paper for a festive fashion statement.

FOR THE HOLIDAYS:

8. Handmade holiday cards and envelopes
As crazy as it is to start thinking about next holiday season, get a head start and use those wrap and ribbon scraps to make homemade holiday cards.
9. Perfect packing shred
Run the paper through a shredder to create filler for gift boxes, shipping containers, and even Easter baskets.
10. Make festive pendants and garlands
Paper pendants and garlands are all the rage. Take some twine or ribbon and string shapes of wrap onto them for easy and free decorations.
11. Make bows
Did you know you can curl paper like you can curl ribbon? Cross one more thing off your to-buy list next year by making your own bows from old paper.
12. Make an Advent calendar
Now there's no need to buy those punch hole versions with the waxy chocolate! You can make your own Advent calendar with wrapping paper leftovers and fill it with whatever you want.
13. Create a holiday memory box
Hate throwing out each season's cards from friends and family? Wrap a shoebox top and bottom separately, store that year's cards in it, and label with the year for an instant time capsule.

Do you have any creative crafts with leftover wrapping paper? Share with us in the comments or tweet at @DIYBoston!

~Tara