One Actual Use for Childrens’ Artwork

Parenting as infographic, #5.

My daughter churns out artwork like she’s competing in a toddler Olympics event called Synchronized Scribbling. I chuck the stuff to which she’s most attached into a large portfolio for future historians to study.

In order to make at least some of the output Someone Else’s Problem, I’ve also hatched the idea of using it for giftwrap for birthdays, which we seem to attend at least twice a month. I sometimes have to use industrial tape, but it works, generally speaking. We cut a card to match, which she “signs.”

If all goes well (i.e., so long as I’ve chosen art she is ready to, er, re-gift) it also seems to add to her pride in gift-giving. With this, I’m basically set for life on gift-wrap, which is just fine with me, as giftwrap is about as single-use and pointless as it gets.

Please forward through the interwebs as you like — maybe we can even start a movement. Moms for upcycled child artwork, or something.

If you are determined to do something more elegant but still eco-friendly, you might consider using furoshiki, or Japanese wrapping cloth, which gift receivers can always reuse. And here’s anti-plastic crusader Beth Terry’s post on wrapping gifts without plastic or glue.

Like this post? You might also like these…

Crafting and Upcycling Ideas for Greener, More Sustainable Living:

• It’s Etsy Being Green
• Flipping a Dollhouse: Upcycling Project from a Thrift Store Find
• Green Tips for Thrifty Parents
• The Un-Toy: A Celebration
• Used Wooden Blocks and Trucks — Made New Again
• Greener Gift Review: A (Delish) Fungus Among Us
• DIY Gift: Photo or Holiday Card Wine Corkboards