Garland, Wreaths and Ornaments to Make

From Recycled Plastic Bags

© Mary Welling-Bonney

Nov 9, 2008

Today's project is a way of giving those plastic bags a new life and helping you decorate for the holidays at the same time.

Garland

Materials Needed:

• Lots and lots of plastic bags
• Twine - approx. 10 feet long
• Scissors
• Optional - Large red bows

Preparation

1. Cut the plastic bags into strips approximately 1" x 8". This can be done way ahead of time while watching television, or you can give it to the kids to do when they are stuck inside.
2. Tie a loop at each end of the twine about 6" in depth.

Assembly

1. Begin at one end of the twine just past the loop and tie the plastic strips onto the twine. Get them as close to the center of the plastic strip as possible.
2. Make sure the loop remains untouched as you will need it to attach the garland to your tree.
3. Every five strips or so bunch the knots up together so they are as close as possible.
4. Continue across until you get to the opposite loop.
5. Optional - You can add big red bows every couple of feet for a festive touch if you prefer.

Wreath

Materials Needed:

• Wire hanger
• Lots of plastic bags
• Scissors
• Big red bow

Preparation

1. Just as we did for the garland we need to cut all of the plastic bags into 1" x 8" strips. Again, this is something that can be done ahead of time.
2. Bend the wire hanger so that the hook at the top remains but below the hook is one large circle.

Assembly

1. Beginning at the top of the circle, tie the strips of plastic onto the wire. Aim for the center of the plastic strip.
2. Every five strips or so bunch the knots up toward the top to keep them tight.
3. Continue all the way around until you can't fit anymore strips onto the wire.
4. Add the bow to the top.

Ornament

Materials Needed:

• Twine
• Plastic bags
• Scissors

Preparation

1. Cut three pieces of twine, one measuring 14" and two measuring 6" each.
2. Tie a loop on one end of the 14" piece of twine to make a 2" deep loop.
3. Tie the bottom of the 14" piece of twine to the knot you just created. You will now have a 2" loop and a 6" loop on the longest piece of twine.
4. Tie each of the 6" pieces of twine to the knot.
5. Tie the bottom of the two 6" pieces of twine to the bottom of the 6" loop. It will look like a 2" loop on top and four pieces of twine meeting below the loop and reaching around to the bottom of the piece.
6. Cut up all of the plastic bags into 1" x 8" x 8" strips.

Assembly

1. Tie the strips of plastic to each of the pieces of twine below the 2" loop.
2. Fill the twine completely making sure to bunch it up and fill in spots.
3. When finished it will look like a snowball with a 2" loop for hanging.

plastic bag

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