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Thursday
Nov202008

D.I.Y. Eco-Happy Pom Pom Gift Topper

Last Holiday season I became obsessed with making yarn pom poms.  They are perfect as garlands, ornaments, gift toppers, and more! 
Today I am super excited to share a cool twist on the standard pom pom (I dreamt this up while driving the other day)... plastic grocery bag pom pom gift toppers


I know.... it sounds crazy.  But what better way to reuse something as benign as a grocery bag, then to give it new life by turning it into something fabulous for adorning your holiday gifts!

If you are not familiar with the basic steps to creating a pom pom, then first check out this short video I found on YouTube.  Disregard the scruffiness of the end result... and the fact that she is using yarn.  It is only the process that you will need to be familiar with.

Okay... here you go:

You will need: * 1 plastic grocery bag (per pom pom) * pair of sharp scissors * 5-10 minutes of free time *

Step 1. Lay your shopping bag flat and cut both handles off.  Set handles aside for later.  Cut the bottom off of your bag.  Cut just enough so that you are left with a tube of plastic (open at both ends).  Open your bag and cut down both of the side seams (this will create two squares of plastic).

Step 2. Starting at one edge, cut around your plastic square in a continuous line (as shown in the picture).  Don't worry about making it super straight or even.  Repeat with your second plastic square.  You will end up with two long strips of plastic (they will be all crooked... but that's okay).

Step 3.  Starting with one of the strips (I chose the white plastic first so that the red would stand out at the end.  Yours will look differently depending upon what your bag looks like), begin wrapping the plastic around four of your fingers using your thumb to keep it steady as you wrap it around. (see photo).  Repeat with your last plastic strip.

Step 4. Carefully tie one of the handles (that you cut off in step one), around the entire bundle of plastic securing with a double knot.  You may want to knot it more than one time.  The ends of the plastic handle that you used to tie your bundle with will be hanging loose.  Do not cut these.

Step 5.  Take your scissors (the sharper and pointier the better) and cut through the loops that were formed when you wrapped the plastic around your hand.  These might be hard to see and will probably be all bunched together at this point.  (if this step is not making sense, refer to the video I link to above.  It's easier to see with yarn).

Step 6 + 7. Once all the loops have been cut, grasp the two long ends (that you didn't cut because you followed the instruction above) in one of your hands.  Gently shake your pom pom to fluff it up a bit.  You can also use your other hand to re-arrange things to your liking.  You may like the untamed version at this point... which means you can stop now.  Or if you want something a little more groomed, begin cutting around your pom pom with your scissors (give it a haircut)... trimming any pieces that stick out or that make it lopsided.

Step 8. Once you have it trimmed to your liking you are done!  Yay!  You can tie pom poms to your gifts using the two long pieces that you left uncut.  Or trim the long ends and string a bunch of these together for a garland or attach them to a wreath form for some festive decor!

Eco-bonus: Try wrapping smaller gifts in the paper from brown grocery bags!

Coming up next... the first installment of the Creature Comforts' Holiday Gift Guide! xo Ez

References (1)

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Reader Comments (88)

So adorable! The red and white of the Target bag looks especially nice!
November 20, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMaking it Lovely
splendid! i love this for so many reasons: diy, recycling, creative, unique, and pretty! i live in puerto rico and we have some pretty colorful baggies, which will give my xmas packaging the perfect hint of san juan life. thanks and brilliant as always.
November 21, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterskye t.
these are gorgeous & super fun. i have a ton of hot pink bags let over from another recycled grocery bag project.

also, where did you get that lovely paper?
November 21, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterann
That is cool! I remember making a crocheted plastic bag, right before they put in the plastic bag tax here in Ireland.

So we don't really get as many as you get in the US. I suppose recycling them (if you get them) is a good use for them too!
November 21, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterheather
What a cool idea! I'm always looking for ideas how to reuse things. I try to avoid plastic bags in the first place, but you can't always, so it's good to make something cute out of them! Let's try to reduce, reuse and recycle:)
November 21, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterTiina
Oh thank you! What a fabulous idea! I must have a go at that, and if I do, I will photograph it and put it on my blog, with a credit and link to you Ez........................... Beautiful photographs by-the-way........................
November 21, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterdo you mind if i knit
Very Cute. I use to work at Target along time ago & never thought to do that with the bags.
November 22, 2008 | Unregistered Commenter~Tina
Great! I did something similar a while back, but yours it cuter. See link (scroll down)

http://blog.betzwhite.com/2008/07/collecting.html
November 22, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterbetz
What a great idea! It looks gorgeous and I couldn't even tell it was a target plastic bag until I scrolled down. Very cool!
November 22, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterDesign Lovely
This is brilliant. And just in time for the holidays!
November 23, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterperfect bound
Thanks for all of your great comments everyone! I'm so happy that you like my little project! Have fun!xoxEz
November 23, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterEz
I love it! I linked to it on my blog: http://www.savvyhousekeeping.com/?p=232
November 24, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterSavvy
love these!!! I hate buying ribbons and bows and try to reuse stuff I have around the house. This is perfect! I use yarn instead of ribbon, actually. Thank you!!
November 24, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterteenytinycute
These are great! Thanks!
November 24, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterNatalie
this is really clever! I'll be linking to this on dabbled.org.
November 24, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterdot
This is brilliant. I hope when they are received they will be saved for other gifts! I will definitely add this to my gift wrapping plans! Thanks.
November 24, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterCarssa
Fabulous idea and fantastic tutorial description. So wonderful, thank you!
November 24, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJill
Creative, green and cost effective! I am going to make these ASAP!
November 24, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAnnie
A great way to use those stray plastic bags if we *gasp* forget our cloth ones. So pretty! I've included a link to this in our DIY wrapping guide (linked from name).

Thanks for sharing!
November 25, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterCaley
i love this idea :)where is the wrap from?
November 25, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterkatrina
Thanks so much everyone for your great comments! I'm so glad you like my little project!

For those of you who have asked... the blue gift wrap is from the Martha Stewart collection at kmart.xoxEz
November 25, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterEz P.
I LOVE this idea! Environmentally friendly and cute! Thanks for sharing.
November 26, 2008 | Unregistered Commentererin @ dessert girl
Oh. I gotta try this. I have some wonderful polka-dotty bags from Gymboree that are going to look great! Thanks!
November 26, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterRelyn
This is so cool. I also see myself wearing one of these as a fascinator :)
November 27, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterOutsaPop
Wow, I'm so glad this site was linked by Design*Sponge! So full of creative ideas! Awesome. Thanks for bringing all this cool stuff to one place.
November 27, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterEmme

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