Daily DIY: Turn Used Wrapping Paper Into a Festive Papier-Mache Ornament

Want to make a greener holiday for your family? Recycling old wrapping paper is an easy way to incorporate an eco-friendly lifestyle into your routine, and one of my favorite ways to do so is by creating a New Year's Day papier-mache project. Why not make a fun, brightly-colored ornament to ring in the new year? Re-use old Christmas wrap as your base and follow the below, super easy steps from Thrifty Fun:

1. Mix 1 part flour with 2 parts water in a mixing bowl. The glue should be slightly runny, and definitely not thick. If it is too runny, add 1 teaspoon of flour at a time until it is a good consistency. If it is too thick, add 2 tablespoons of water at a time until it is the right consistency.
2. Cover your work surface with paper to protect it and to make clean-up easier.
3. Blow up a balloon and tie it in a knot. You will want to hang your balloon from a piece of string, as this will make it easier to work.
4. Start by dipping a strip of your recycled wrapping paper into the paper mache glue. Using your forefinger and thumb, rub excess glue off of the strip back into the bowl.
5. Lay the strip onto the balloon. Be sure to smooth it out to help make the ornament as smooth as possible. Continue doing this until the entire balloon is covered with strips of wrapping paper. It is a good idea to overlap pieces of wrapping paper on top of each other to ensure total coverage.
6. Let the paper mache dry for 24 hours.
7. Repeat steps 4-6 above the next day. The trick is, the more layers of newspaper you add to your balloon, the heavier and more durable it will become. Two layers is good for this particular project.

Decorate as you wish and you've got an instant, crafty ornament for the new year! Happy crafting!