Looking for something fun to do with a child? This wreath of recyclables is a beautiful way to repurpose those old plastic grocery bags, and given the longevity of the plastic, the wreath will last for many years. ;) I got the idea when visiting a friend. I noticed her door wreath; it was a beautiful plasticky translucent and looked to be on an old wire hanger (which would also work great with this project!) When I asked about it, she said their elementary school class had made them with plastic sandwich baggies. Of course, that got the wheels turning, and by the time I'd arrived home from errands and carted in the groceries, I knew just what to do with those white plastic bags I had saved up!

Supplies Needed:

About 50 plastic bags*
12"-18" 20 gauge wire
wire cutters and needle-nosed pliers (for curling ends)
Fiskars Pinking Shears
Fiskars Hole Punch 1/4" circle
Fiskars ornament shape punch
2 pipe cleaners
glittered chipboard ornaments

*I used around 50 for this 8" wreath. Number of bags needed will vary depending on the size wreath you are making, combined with the width you choose to cut your plastic strips. Also, I used bags in all the same color from the same retailer to maintain uniform texture and color.

Instructions:

1. Form wire in a 5.5" circle, leaving a hook for hanging on one end and enough wire to twist the wreath closed on the other end. Leave one end free, however, for threading on the plastic pieces.

2. Flatten bags one at a time on large surface, tucking in sides and straightening handles as shown. Trim off bottom seam and then, with pinking shears, cut body of bag into 2" to 2.5" strips.

3. Discard excess seam and handles into recycle bin. Remove printed areas of strips with pinking shears, sending them to recycle as well, and lay out finished strips. Lengths will vary depending on amount of printed material on bags.

4. Accordion fold strips, one at a time, into one little square, and holding securely in hand, punch hole in middle of square. Thread onto wire.

5. Repeat this process until you have a wreath that is round and full enough to your liking. Finish by twisting off wire end and attaching decorations, in this case, ornaments punched from flocked paper and glittered chipboard shapes.