Lemondrop

'Twas the day after Christmas, and all through your home,
Not a present lay unopened, especially not that new iPhone;
Bags of torn wrapping paper lay scattered about,
In hopes that green angels wouldn't see waste and pout.

One last glass of egg nog and you're ready for bed,
But that mountain of paper just won't leave your head.
What to do with shiny stuff that's scattered and torn?
You think to yourself, "There must be something more I can do than just mourn."

So you open your calendar and pick out a date,
For when that wrapping paper may find another fate.
Your eye falls to New Year's Eve, a night you enjoy with glee!
It's time to celebrate repurposed wrapping paper with DIY projects for all guests to see.

Read on to learn how you can recycle and repurpose used wrapping paper with four easy do-it-yourself ideas for a crafty New Year's Eve.

THE PARTY BEVERAGE: Do-it-Yourself Wine Decorations



After a few glasses of vino, your guests won't remember which glass is theirs. Repurpose paper from holiday greeting cards to make personalized wine-glass decor for an evening (and glass) your guests won't forget.



Using a Sharpie marker, stencil and cut out easy shapes, like hearts, crescent moons and stars. Or, cut shapes from pre-designed holiday cards, like this card's classic snowman. I cut out his hat because the snowman was too big for glass-stem decoration.



Add guest initials or names to the wine-decor for a personalized monogrammed touch. Wrap a garbage bag tie around the glass stem and using a bit of bubble tape, append decorations onto the tie for secure positioning.

Wine glass decor doubles as name tags -- great for party guests to meet and greet comfortably without resorting to "Hello, My Name Is" stickers worn awkwardly on cocktail dresses and blazers.


THE PARTY ACTIVITY: Do-it-Yourself New Year Fortunes



Sure, New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest is on cable and there's always the Twilight Zone marathon to watch, but what about interacting with guests over something other than a digital screen? And no, there isn't an app for that!

Skip spin-the-bottle and play pass-the-fortune instead. Wrap an empty coffee container with crumbled wrapping paper or aluminum foil. Write sweet fortunes on torn bits of wrapping paper like, "You will find true love in 2011" or fun (and ironically true) statements like, "You will become Mayor of your favorite bar on FourSquare."

Fold papers in half and place fortunes in container for happy pre-midnight predictions.





THE PARTY CELEBRATION: Do-it-Yourself Midnight Noise Maker



At 11:59, give your guests a reason to truly ring in the New Year -- by repurposing tissue paper, ribbon, bows to decorate plastic bottles and make a colorful midnight noisemaker.



Pour half parts white glue and half parts water into a plastic condiment container (think mustard or relish size). Use a spare eyeshadow applicator as a paintbrush to glue torn bits of tissue paper onto a plastic water bottles (ketchup and dish detergent bottles work too).

Cover entire bottle with at least three layers of tissue paper. Tie loose ribbon and bows onto the cap. Append sequins or cut-up pieces of ribbon to create an illusion of confetti on the noisemaker.

After a day of drying, open bottle cap to insert buttons, beans or loose change for sound effects heard best when shaken after the ball drops at midnight!


THE PARTY PLEASER: Do-it-Yourself Festive Favors



Your holiday stocking was stuffed with candy canes, chocolates and other New Year diet resolution no-nos. Lose the potential craving casualties by giving guests takeaway treats in a festive party favor.



Grab trashed wrapping paper rolls (paper towel and toilet paper rolls work too) and cut into mini rolls no more than 6-inches long.

Lay roll on large pieces of torn wrapping paper and cut enough paper to cover the roll, plus 2 to 3 inches of extra length per end. Twist one end's extra inches (see picture above) and tie tight with loose ribbons and bows. Add in treats, and stuff remaining paper into the roll's opening, securing with scotch tape. It's a sustainable way to jump start 2011 sweet!


Sammy Davis spends her days doing what any thrift nut loves most: blogging about her totally vintage life on her site, Sammy Davis Vintage, and shooting video that inspires you to pursue your passions on her YouTube channel. Have a question about fashion or just want to say hi? Drop her a line here, and she'll hit you back with some Sammy D Sunshine ASAP.