Introduction: Re-use That Old Gift Tissue Paper!

Recycle old tissue paper! Same use...different form!

Gift bags,clothing boxes---almost every style of gift wrapping contains tissue paper.

I like to save the tissue paper and use it again, but sometimes the tissue paper is too wrinkled or torn to use in a gift.

Here is a way to make it useful again ...

Step 1: Materials Needed

The stuff you will need:

a paper shredder (or scissors if you don't have a shredder), and

some old tissue paper



CAUTION!
Please be careful when using a paper shredder and follow the manufacturers guidelines. Some other cautions:

Do not place hands or fingers in the shredder.

Do not allow children to operate paper shredders.

Unplug the paper shredder power cord when not in use.

Do not operate a shredder while wearing loose clothing.

Keep hair, necklaces and ties away from the shredder opening.

Step 2: Prepare the Tissue Paper

Open the tissue paper up and smooth it out so that it is fairly flat. Remove any tape or stickers from the paper.

Stack several smoothed sheets together then fold the paper in half and then in half again.

You want to fold the paper small enough so it will fit in the shredder slot.

The folds are important because they will shred (or cut) into longer pieces and shorter pieces, rather than all small bits.







Step 3: Empty the Shredder Basket

Empty the shredder basket when beginning and in between shredding different colored sheets that you don't want combined.

Step 4: Before Shredding

Many shredders will accept multiple sheets at once, but there are a couple things to consider before you shred (or cut):

1) Shred (or cut) complimentary colors together. It is hard to separate the colors after they have been shredded.

2) The shredder compresses the shredded pieces, so the less you put through together, the less compacted the layers are.

3) Fewer layers feed into the paper slot easier.

4) Fewer layers are easier to cut through if you are using scissors.

Step 5: Begin the Shredding

Plug the shredder in, turn the power on and place one end of the folded paper into the shredder slot.

Once the shredder teeth grasp the paper edges they should pull the rest of the paper in.

Once all sheets are shredded, unplug the unit and clean the shredder teeth out to remove any stuck paper.



Use your scissors and cut the paper into strips.

Step 6: Fluffing

The shredded paper will need to be fluffed up because the shredder compresses the layers as it shreds.

Fluff it up and it is ready to be used!



Step 7: Use It!

I use mine mostly inside gift bags, but you can also use it inside clear balloons for a little extra decorating flair, inside gift baskets, or as a decorative padding when shipping things.