Today we’re featuring another eco-friendly craft from our Green MacGyver series of crafts recycled from everday household items.  Recycling and reusing materials is a simple way to live green. Cereal boxes can be recycled in many creative ways and today, we’re going to upcycle and showcase cereal box gift bags.  Upcycling involves converting useless materials into new materials or products of better quality.  These cute and artistic gift bags are perfect for concealing moderate-sized gifts and represent a wonderful way to upcycle your cereal boxes.  Plus, they’re reusable and don’t take long to make!

What you need:
• Large Cereal Box (you can use smaller cereal boxes for jewellery gift bags)
• Magazines, Maps, Newspapers, Music sheets, Comics or construction paper to decorate – plus any other decorative items of your choice like stickers, markers, glitter, etc.
• Double-sided Tape or Glue
• Ribbon
• Scissors

Directions
1. Decide on the outside decoration based on the occasion for the gift bag (Birthday, Christmas, etc.).  You can even decorate the box with a photo in the centre or by hand drawing pictures or adding other garnishes like, glitter, stickers, or cotton balls (to create a snowy effect).  I find magazines work best because there are a wide variety of colourful images to cut and shape around the cereal box.  You can also use a solid colour paper or paint if you’re looking for something classic or you can even use old scraps of wrapping paper to decorate.  This craft encourages creativity! 
2. Cut the top off your cereal box and fold your decoration paper (magazines, comics, construction paper, etc.) around the outside to cover the printing. 
3. Secure the paper with tape or glue and punch holes in the top to secure a ribbon for handles.  You decide on the length of the ribbon based on how long you want the handles.  Tape or glue pictures or other decorations as you see fit!

And it’s that easy.  You’ve created your own reusable gift bag which is completely original with your design eye.  This is a fun and easy eco-friendly craft that can be enjoyed by all ages and inspires imagination.  Be sure to check out the Planet Forward Sustainable Scribe for more eco-friendly crafts in the weeks to come!