The 8 day long Jewish holiday of Chanukah starts on the eve of December 22, which means now is the time to start planning all the amazing crafts we can do to make this holiday extra special for our families and friends! Seven weeks or so may seem like a long time, but truly it is not, so NOW is the time to start collecting recyclables so that in another few weeks or so you'll have some of the supplies you'll need on hand to get crafting! I have already started this process, then again I save recyclables all year long, and I"ll admit I often pull things out the garbage that my family just doesn't seem to realize is great crafting material! Today for example after one of my sons removed 5 new dress shirts from the packaging he threw all the tissue paper and plastic and cardboard inserts into the garbage, ah yes and there was some great logo imprinted ribbon as well........so I rescued the shirt liners as they are cardboard pieces with cut outs that I can use in many ways, and that ribbon, I have a plan for that too. But lest I digress, I have taken a photo here of some of the most important items to collect, and keep on reading for a list as well as links to my favorite Chanukah crafts that use these items, or most of them!
Okay, so as promised, here is a list of the recyclables I recommend collecting right now, together with a link to my favorite Chanukah craft using that item. Ready?
- Cereal boxes which can be used to make fabulous gift packages here.
- Aluminum foil boxes and tubes which can be used to make very crafty Chanukah menorahs, here.
- Egg cartons which can be used to make star string lights, here.
- Wine corks, which can be used to make dancing figures, here.
- Toilet paper tubes, which can be used to make party favor packages here, or a fun menorah, here.
- Milk cartons can be used to make lanterns, gift packages, houses with Menorahs in their windows, and so many more things.....yet to come!
- Bottle caps can be used to make fun spinning tops, here.
- Plastic baskets can be used to make gift baskets, and I'm planning to use mine, or the bottom portion at least, to make plastic glitter snowflakes, stay tuned for that!
Of course this list is just a suggestion, and I just realized should include glass jars, as tissue paper luminaries are also perfect for Chanukah! Happy crafting and happy planning!