Could you imagine X-mas without beautifully wrapped gifts? Lots of them ... Unpacking is as much part of the festive ceremonies as a tree and cookies (and others, of course). But, what after the packages have been unwrapped? Isn't it a pity to throw all those nice papers away? Let's go and recycle them!

In my family we have always been doing it this way: Gifts that go "outside" will get a new wrapping, gifts we exchange amongst ourselves are allowed the special vintage feel of reclaimed wrappings that comes with lovingly smoothened out papers, used ribbon curls, all kinds of decorative ornaments piled up over time, and, most importantly, name tags of nostalgic value.

The papers will be cropped after every usage, since reclaimed doesn't mean shabby. Nobody likes nasty creases and damages from adhesive tape, after all.

What comes off, are mostly more than little snippets, but oftentimes not large enough to reach around a gift. So, why not assemble the scraps into a gift wrap patchwork? Let's go and try ...

You'll need

• Scraps of wrapping paper,
• 1 piece of supporting paper, e.g. tissue paper, copy paper etc.,
• a glue stick,
• scissors.

this is how it's done

Prepare a piece of supporting paper the size you need. Glue together several smaller pieces, if necessary.

Cut your collected scraps in shape, which could be straight, wavy or zig-zags, figurative shapes, if you like ... or anything else you come up with.

I cut waves.

Arrange the paper scraps on the supporting sheet. Spread glue on the backside of every scrap and attach them, piece by piece. Cut off the protruding parts. And - tadah - your patchwork pieced gift wrap is done!

Have fun with your creative wrapping!