Repurposing Leftover Holiday Items

Every year I find myself wondering what to do with all those leftover holiday items; i.e. candy, cookies, wrapping paper, bows, etc. With a little creativity, you can repurpose these items.

It's a wrap! When I am putting away my wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper and bows after the holidays, I purposely place the solid red and green items in a separate area. Use the red ones for Valentine's Day and the green ones for St. Patrick's Day or Easter. Have the kids make paper embellishments to decorate them! If you celebrate Hanukkah, you can easily reuse solid blue or silver wrapping supplies for graduations or anniversaries.

The inserts from leftover wine boxes are great for packing away those ornaments. Use some of the extra tissue and thin wrapping paper for cushioning.

It's in the cards! Have the kids use those holiday cards to make personalized thank you notes. They can cut out the parts that haven't been written on and glue them to blank cardstock or construction paper. A perfect activity for a snowy afternoon!

Sugar, Sugar! "Glue" two candy canes together with chocolate to make hearts (as per the suggestion of one of my clients, Ella). You can also crush up the candy canes and use them to make peppermint bark (which is not just for Christmas). Crushed up candy canes are also great toppers for frosted heart cookies or ice cream.

Separate the green and red holiday M&Ms. Line a baking sheet with mini pretzel twists and top each with an unwrapped Hershey kiss. Warm in the oven until the kisses are warm then remove. Smush each kiss down with an M&M. Use the red ones for Valentine's Day and the green ones for St. Patrick's Day or Easter.

Host a chocolate buffet! Take all those chocolate elves, Santas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa themed chocolates and melt them in a chocolate pot. Lay out an assortment of goodies for dipping: cubed angel food or pound cake, pretzels, marshmallows, fruit, and whatever strikes your fancy!

Freeze those leftover cookies and use them to make cookie crusts for pies or cheesecakes (replacing the traditional graham crackers or Oreos).

No more "bored" games! My nephew and niece used holiday candy chocolates as "poker chips" to keep track of our points when playing a board game recently. The winner of each round received one chocolate from each player.

Unleash Your Organized Me!