Upcycle Last Year’s Calendar: DIY Paper Lanterns for Festive Decor and School Holiday Fun
Author: Rebecca Robinson Date Posted:6 December 2024
Why Upcycle with Earth Greetings Calendars?
At Earth Greetings, we pour so much love into our calendars that it feels only natural to give them a second life! Made with sturdy, earth-friendly materials and stunning artwork, our calendars are designed to last. Instead of tossing them away once the year’s over, why not turn those gorgeous prints into a meaningful craft?
Upcycling isn’t just about being resourceful; it’s about reducing waste and creating something special. When you use your old calendar to make paper lanterns, you’re embracing a little bit of creativity and sustainability. Plus, these upcycled lanterns make a beautiful addition to your holiday decor and are a fantastic project to enjoy with your family.
Paper lanterns make wonderful Christmas decorations and add a cosy, handmade touch to any space. Not only is this a great way to create something unique, but it’s also a chance to teach the kids about reusing and reducing waste. So, grab those calendar pages, a few craft supplies, and let’s make some magic together.
What You’ll Need To Make Your Own Paper Lanterns
- An old calendar (last year’s Earth Greetings Calendar is perfect!)
- Scissors or Pinking Shears
- Glue or double-sided tape
- Hole punch (for threading twine, if desired)
- String
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Your Paper Lanterns
Let’s dive into the steps. These instructions are simple enough for kids to join in, making this a perfect school holiday project.
1. Select Your Pages
Start by choosing a few of you favourite pages from your calendar. Our Earth Greetings calendar has an array of beautiful botanical patterns, native animals, and nature-inspired designs which are especially lovely and bring out that festive feel.
2. Cut the Paper Strips
Cut 5 strips of paper along the width of the calendar page around 2cm wide (or cut along the length of the page for a larger lantern). Punch a hole near the end of each strip.
3. Create the Lantern Shape
Make two groups: One of 3 strips and one of 2 strips. Overlay the centre of the pieces into two groups. Make a star with three pieces and a cross with two pieces and glue the centres in place. After gluing, punch a hole in the centre of each group. Place both groups together, lining up into the centre into a star shape.
4. Thread the String
After doubling a piece of twine over (ours was about 30cm after doubling), knot one end into a loop. Thread the loose ends through the centre. Then thread the ends through the hole at the end of each strip, bringing them into the centre one by one. Make sure the coloured part of your calendar is on the outside.
5. Assemble the Lantern
Leave a bit of string at the top for hanging, and a little tail at the end. Trim the tail to whatever length you like :)
Creative Ideas for Display
Now that your lanterns are ready, here are a few fun ways to display them around the house:
Hang them on your Christmas tree
Create a paper lantern garland by stringing multiple lanterns together along twine, and drape them around your tree.
Table Centrepieces
Cluster a few lanterns together on the holiday table for a charming, earth-friendly centrepiece. Add native flowers or greenery for a natural touch.
Shelf or Mantel Decor
Line up the lanterns on a shelf or mantelpiece, mixed with seasonal ornaments for a soft, inviting touch, that will add some charm to your space.
Other DIY Holiday Craft Ideas with Old Calendars
If you’re feeling inspired to get crafty, there are plenty more ways to repurpose old calendars! Here are a few ideas to keep the upcycling spirit going:
Gift Wrap and Tags
Use calendar pages to wrap small gifts or cut them into festive gift tags. They’ll add a personal, handmade touch to any present.
Ornaments and Bunting
Cut shapes from calendar pages and string them together for homemade bunting, or create your own ornaments for the tree.
Mini Gift Boxes
Turn calendar pages into mini gift boxes for small presents like jewellery or trinkets. Simply cut, fold, and tape the pages into small squares or rectangles. They make your tiny gifts really stand out.
Bookmarks for Stocking Stuffers
Cut the pages into long, narrow strips to create one-of-a-kind bookmarks. Punch a hole at the top and add a tassel or ribbon for an extra festive touch. These make thoughtful, personalised gifts for the book lovers in your life.
Advent Calendar Pouches
Cut and fold calendar pages into small pouches or envelopes, label them with numbers 1 to 24, and fill each with a little treat. Hang them on a string for a DIY advent calendar that’s both charming and earth-friendly.
Holiday Recipe Cards
Turn calendar pages into decorative recipe cards for festive treats. Write your favourite holiday recipes on each page, cut them down to card size, and gift them as a personal, heartfelt present.
Personalised Gift Card Holders
Fold pages into small, snug pouches to hold gift cards. You can customise each one with ribbon or small embellishments for a unique, reusable gift card holder.
Paper Stars or Snowflakes
Fold or cut calendar pages into festive stars or snowflakes to hang as ornaments or add to gift wrap. These intricate shapes add a lovely seasonal touch and are easy to create with a little folding or cutting.
Plan Ahead for Next Year’s Upcycling: The 2025 Earth Greetings Calendar
Love the idea of crafting with last year’s calendar? Our 2025 Earth Greetings Calendar is not only a functional tool for staying organised, but it’s also filled with stunning artwork by Australian artists—perfect for upcycling projects like these! Each page features vibrant, nature-inspired designs that will brighten up any space, and at the end of the year, you can repurpose each month’s artwork into new creative projects.
Made from sturdy recycled paper and printed with Earth-friendly, VOC-free inks, our calendars are made to last. So when December 2025 rolls around, you’ll have a collection of beautiful pages ready for your next round of DIY magic. Plus, every purchase supports local Artists as well as wildlife and habitat, helping to make a positive impact on the planet.
Ready to get inspired for 2025? Explore our calendar collection and discover a new year of beautiful designs that can live on beyond the dates on each page. When you choose Earth Greetings, you’re choosing sustainability, creativity, and a little bit of art to enjoy every day!
Celebrate the Season with Creative, Earth-Friendly Crafting
Upcycling last year’s calendar into paper lanterns is a beautiful way to celebrate the season sustainably. Not only do these handmade lanterns bring warmth and charm to your holiday decor, but they also serve as a gentle reminder that beauty and creativity can come from the simplest, most earth-friendly choices.
If you give this project a try, we’d love to see your creations! Share your photos with us on social media and tag us so we can celebrate your handiwork. Here’s to a festive season filled with creativity, love, and a little bit of Earth-friendly magic.