I cut the envelope open with a letter opener (unless the flap can easily be opened without cutting). Uses: store coupons, to do lists, store receipts.
If it has see through window on back, with plastic then when I am done with the envelope, I cut that out with border to use for crafts. Put 2 back to back and put a fortune cookie paper inside. Glue 3 sides then fill with confetti or glitter. Seal 4th side = gift tag.
Use the inside and outside to write lists, etc. If it has flap reuse for mailing or see above. The insides: find and cut out my address-use as return label on mailings with glue stick. There is normally an extra envelope or 2 use them! Colorful paper gets saved for crafts; confetti, paper punches and shredded for packaging gifts.
If there is plain paper with a blank side it gets saved for lists or writing on. Any images that can be saved for collage get saved, too. If you have to store anything fragile save the unusable paper and scrunch for protection. Anything else unusable gets recycled!
By cara from Kent, OH
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This is a good idea, I also give return envelopes to my kids to play office or postal carrier with, and they love them.
Use the plastic windows on the envelopes for picture frames. put a magnet on the back and put your child's picture in it and hang it on the refrigerator! it will keep the picture clean!
Good idea and the back of blank paper can be used in the printer for non important printing.
My dad saves the security envelopes for me (printed design normally black or blue inside) & gives me a bundle of them every so often. I save mine too & from those I cut long slender triangles to roll paper beads.
I too save junk mail and reuse the blank space for everything. I make grocery lists, scrap paper stacks for beside my phone, daily lists, etc.
My latest use for the influx of paper that comes into our home, including newspapers, finished crossword puzzle books, fast -food drink carriers,etc., is as cat litter. The cat hated it at first, then decided that recycling paper wasn't that bad. It's saving me at least $10 a month.
There are about 2,760 search results "for thriftyfun junk mail" on google but handmade paper beads made from security envelopes & also pendants will always top my list ! www.google.com/
Both ideas are awesome. Neither of the ideas are mine. Other uses (just scanning down the results page include): napkin rings,and a tiny house! I love to look at craft ideas & projects! It really starts my heart pumping!
Great ideas folks. All junk mail with a return envelope in it.It is always taped neatly to a solid house brick (which is wrapped in news paper), and put back in the post, an idea broadcast on radio once. They pay extra postage.
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Like many others who receive junk mail, we tended to discard these into the trash. After realizing that many of the inserts had blank backsides, I quickly turned these pages into scrap pads. I just simply cut each page into quarter sections and added them to the scrap paper holder, located near our telephone, for messages. I also use the scrap near my computer for writing down new websites or information I may need. A simple small container of plastic, wood, or wire can be used to house the scrap paper.
By Debbie from Mocksville, NC
We reuse junk mail to print out coloring pages, shopping lists, coupons etc, just as long as there's no "private" information on the back! (01/27/2006)
By Rebekah
Debbie, Many thanks for the ideas. Also if you are into scrapbooking, you can use the inside of some envelopes. Check and get the ones with printed designs in them, then take colored pencils or markers and enhance the design even further. Use it as part of a background page or layered design on a page. Carol Duvall enlightened me to this idea. Is really cute idea -- use your imagination. Crystal from Bennettsville, SC (01/27/2006)
I too re-use some of the junk mail. Any preaddressed envelopes I stash in a drawer of my computer desk where they are handy for a couple purposes: sending lunch money to school, also to send money for field trips. Also I put my coupons in them and write my grocery list on the blank side. Anything that is blank, I save for scratch paper, even the envelope things come in can be re-used.
Some junk mail have a envelope in it If you are short of envelopes, you can carefully take the glued envelope apart and turn it inside out and tape the envelope back together. I have done this when I happen to be out and need to pay a bill. (01/28/2006)
By suzq
I take the blank side of the papers and cut into same size pieces to form a note pad. Holding tight, I smear Elmers glue on the top. Use clothespins or clips to hold the pads together until dry. You now have a notepad that the papers stay together. (01/31/2006)
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Hi - sitting here scanning the site and writing tips on my junk mail scrap pad as we speak - another use for junk mail/waste paper, sawdust, cardboard etc is to turn it into burnable logs for your open fire. You can buy a "paper log/brick maker" - you soak waste then put in the maker and push down handles to compress/squeeze into a log/brick. Ive noticed them on ebay. Have added it to my wish list and placed request on Freecycle sites, so I cannot comment on how effective they are personally. Small investment to save money and recycle. If anyone knows an effective way to make them without the "machine" please add your comments. The price of coal/real logs these days is scary as well as raping our planet so any alternative gets my vote (02/22/2006)
By zillah bell
We use our shredder and shred all junk mail and save it in garbage bag and use during the holiday season for packing our goodies and gifts to send to family and friends all over. Saves money and time. (09/02/2008)
By Connie
We save a lot of the prettier junk mail for my 4 year old daughter's craft box - it gets cut up and stuck onto paper for gift cards and the like, or just for fun.
(09/02/2008)
By KerrinA
