36 Genius Ideas to Upcycle Old Calendar Pages

Loraine loves arts and crafts and used to volunteer at an elementary art class. She loves sharing fun and easy craft tutorials.

Why Should I Save My Old Calendars?

Do you remember searching long and hard for the perfect calendar, knowing you'd be looking at the pictures for a whole year? You finally found one you loved, but now the year is over, forcing you to decide if you should keep or toss the old thing.

Don't toss it! Calendars are made of high-quality paper, making them perfect for beautiful DIY crafts. Since they can be found in any theme or color, choosing the images you want is easy. Each project I found and linked to below shows a picture of what your project can look like and includes easy directions to follow. I've also added a few paper crafts that would work well with old calendar pages. I hope you find a project or two that you want to make!

1. Gift Bows

Save money on gift packaging and use calendar pages to spruce up your presents! Make the prettiest gift bows using the instructions at Craftster.

2. Custom Coasters

Imagine all of the fun coasters you can make using calendars. These would make great gifts for someone or a lovely addition to your home. Pretty Prudent has the step-by-step guide for you to make them.

3. 3-D Paper Stars

I'll admit that the pictured star uses magazine paper, but I followed the tutorial using calendar pages and it turned out beautifully! After I made one side of the star, I glued a flat piece of paper to the back so I could hang them on the wall.

4. Silhouette Heart

This project by Pink Stripey Socks uses magazine pages, but using a few calendar pages would be a fun alternative.

5. Flowers, Flowers, Flowers

Although Splish Splash Splatter's tutorial uses magazine pages for this floral project, I think lighter-weight calendar paper would be a better material to use. The flowers are easy to make, and the petal shapes can be cut in any style. The kids should enjoy helping put these flowers together!

6. Kokeshi Dolls

With the numerous calendar designs out there, making these outstanding kokeshi dolls is a snap. You'll love seeing how many looks you can create by following the 365Crafty tutorial.

7. Bird Mobile

It'd be an easy task to find this attractive bird mobile a home. Jane over at Buzzmills shares the directions for this simple project.

8. Rusty Tin Can Vases

Although you can make this craft any time of year, I think it is especially appropriate during the Lent and Easter season. Find the tutorial at Fishtail Cottage.

9. Paper Village Advent Calendar

Lia Griffith came up with the lovely idea of making a village advent calendar for little ones. I think this would be a great way to use old calendar pages. Try it out for yourself!

10. Kusudama Flowers

You'll learn how to make kusudama flowers in PlanetJune's tutorial. If this craft interests you, check out the next project to see how you can use the method to make a hanging ball.

11. Kusudama Ball

Imagine all of the decorating you could do with these stunning kusudama balls. You can choose calendar pages that have the colors you want. Find the tutorial for this project at iCreativeIdeas.

12. Glass-Dome Paperweight

This video tutorial will help you create an amazing glass-dome paperweight.

13. Gift Bags

Serendipity shares what I think is the fastest and easiest method to make gift bags. You'll have a great time making these, and it'll be hard for you to stop! The first image in this article shows the bags I made using this tutorial.

14. Bookmarks

This bookmark project from Craftideas is so easy the kids can make them by themselves. I think it's a great way for them to make and give gifts that don't cost a lot but make a big impact.

15. Envelope

This project by Homespun Seasonal Living is a beautiful and practical way to use calendar pages.

16. Votive Paperweights

A votive paperweight would make a wonderful gift for anyone with an office or classroom. Check out the tutorial over at MODGE PODGE ROCKS to see how easy and affordable these are to make.

17. Unique Gift Box

The Homesteading Hippy describes how to make an unique gift box using newspaper. You can substitute calendar pages to make the same project.

18. Napkin Rings

These napkin rings are so easy to make you'll want to make them for every holiday or special occasion. FAB MUMS shares the tutorial.

19. Window Frame

Meadowbrook Farm doesn't provide detailed directions to create this DIY, but I think it would be simple to do. Just cut the matting for the glass size, center a calendar picture on the back, add a cardboard backing to the picture, and use small nails or brads to attach it to the wood pane edges.

20. Paper Lanterns

I think these paper lanterns would be beautiful made using calendar pages. Use the directions given on Sweet Paul to make them.

21. Covered Storage Boxes

Cover oatmeal boxes to store things in your craft room. Find directions at Trash to Treasures. Love this idea.

22. Collapsible Box

I made these collapsible boxes using instructions and patterns from Aunt Annie's Crafts. I like how these turned out, and I recommend you try this project too!

23. Origami Wreath Ornament

Imagine how beautiful this ornament can be with fun calendar pages! Just follow the instructions at Domesticali and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

24. Sparkling Bird Ornaments

Make beautiful bird ornaments for your Christmas tree, a mobile, or party decorations! Kids & Glitter has the instructions for you to try.

25. Glass Plate Wall Art

I think this is a great idea using the season calendar pages. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter and Fourth of July for a wall arrangement. Go to Hometalk for the tutorial for making this glass plate art.

26. Picture-Box Lid

Jazz up a plain container by adding a calendar image to the lid using this creative idea by ThriftyFun.

27. Matching Game

Bug, Boo, and Bean describes how to use old calendar pages to make a matching game! It's sure to keep little ones busy, and I love the idea of using religious calendars for this project.

28. Small Gift Bags

You can make craft bags that are the perfect size for smaller craft items. The colorful pages create a festive look, and the whole project is very affordable. Find the instructions for making these bags at Etsy Treasure Chest.

29. Paper Reed Frame

This craft is a lovely photo frame—and to think it's made of old calendar pages! Find the tutorial for this paper reed frame at illgetyoumypretties.

30. Desk Accessories

Do you want to organize your desk in a fun and creative way? Here is a great tutorial to make a lidded desk storage box out of a cereal box!

31. Wall Art

I love how Tallgrass Design used floating frames to display the calendar art!

32. Butterflies

Believe me when I say that if you make one of these calendar butterflies, you'll end up making more to decorate your home!

33. Magnets

This cute idea from Snapguide is easy to make and a great way to use those calendar pages.

34. Upcycled Wall Art

This video tutorial will teach you how to make beautiful wall art while upcycling your old calendars.

35. Pillow Box

Crafty Journal shares how to make this calendar-page pillow box!

36. Goody Bags

Babyccino Kids has a fun tutorial for these adorable goody bags that remind me of sour cream pouches. Use them to hold treats on Halloween, Valentine's Day, or Christmas. You could even put these together for bridal showers, weddings, or baby shower favors!

© 2013 Loraine Brummer

What Do You Do With Your Old Calendars? - or leave a comment.

Kara Skinner from Maine on July 04, 2017:

I love the practical ideas here like craft bags and bows and boxes. Those I could do over and over without cluttering up my house. The jigsaw puzzle is a good idea as well.

Louise Powles from Norfolk, England on January 17, 2017:

There's some really good ideas there. Shame I've always thrown my calenders away in the past now. I like the idea of the butterflies, that's lovely. Thanks for the great ideas!

peachy from Home Sweet Home on December 18, 2014:

i like the pinwheel and bookmark ideas. Worth to recycle those calendars

beyondagarden on January 11, 2014:

Thank you for the mention. Great ideas!

Fay Favored from USA on June 18, 2013:

So many fantastic ideas; love this. Giving it a tweet.

readty7 on June 15, 2013:

Your bags with calendar pages are so beautiful and creative!

Elizabeth Lynn Westbay from United States on June 14, 2013:

The flowers are soooooo pretty

Virginia Allain from Central Florida on June 12, 2013:

I can't bear to throw out old calendars (and apparently my mom was that way too as I found quite a few at her house). Thanks for all the great ideas.

someone111 on June 10, 2013:

Some fun ideas on here! I'll have to try some :)

RazzbarryBreeze on June 07, 2013:

Great ideas here. I've seen the Kusudama flowers before. Have an awesome day!

SheilaMilne from Kent, UK on June 06, 2013:

I've never done anything with old calendars and often feel so terrible throwing them out that I have quite a few hanging around. Now to make some gift bags....

HughSmulders LM on June 05, 2013:

It seems to me that hand-made stuff is always the best present ever. Thus, I try to make all my gifts by myself.

noner on June 04, 2013:

I have always cut them up and used them for collage bits in my art journals. Now I REALLY want to make a block puzzle!

seegreen on June 04, 2013:

I still have old calendars from 15 years ago, It takes me weeks to find the perfect one so I hate throwing them out. I always knew I would find something crafty to do with them and as a fan of paper crafts I've now got an awful lot of ideas to choose from. How clever!

cassieann on June 01, 2013:

I toss my old calendars - but not anymore. You have some great projects here. Thanks for sharing!

Cynthia Haltom from Diamondhead on June 01, 2013:

How clever You really put a lot of thought and talent to work on these projects. I am about to make some shopping bags from recycled bird seed sacks.

aleesya_aqilah on May 31, 2013:

ur lens look great..and creative!

dawnsnewbeginning on May 31, 2013:

Lots of great ideas here!