25 Clever Calendar Repurposing Ideas That Are Creative And Fun

Repurposing projects are my favorites. Not only do you get to create new things, but you get to use up things that you would normally just throw away. Take calendars for instance. I have calendars hanging in my kitchen and office and of course, they’re no good after the year passes, right? Well, what if I told you that those otherwise useless calendars could be made into wonderful new things? Basically anything that you can make with any type of paper can be made by repurposing last year’s calendar or calendars from several years ago if you have them on hand.

What’s even better about these calendar repurposing projects is that even if you don’t have a calendar on hand, you can make these. Just go to your local Goodwill or other thrift store. I promise you that there will be calendars there from years past that you can pick up for just pennies. I found several at a bookstore sale on clearance (they were on clearance because they were old calendars) and only paid 25 cents each. And, if you love repurposing, this is a really cheap way to go. If you love repurposing as much as I do, you should really check out these 15 ways that you can upcycle empty Pringles cans.

Turning trash to treasure is an obsession for me. Seriously, I have recycling bins that hold plastic bottles, tin cans and so many other trash items just so I can grab them before they head out to the dump. I want to be able to turn that trash into wonderful new treasure! And that’s why I am excited about all of these ideas for turning calendars into wonderful new things. Many of these are so simple and if you have a few basic craft supplies on hand, they won’t cost you anything to make. And then of course, there’s the thrill of the upcycle. I just can’t get enough! If you can’t get enough upcycling, be sure to take a look at these 25 plastic soda bottle upcycling crafts, too.

So, if you have old calendars on hand and you love upcycling, you’re going to love these DIY project ideas. From gift boxes and bags to bookmarks and more, there is something that you can make with those calendars that’s fun and creative and I can’t wait to hear what you have DIYed!

1. Creative Calendar Bookmarks

Those old calendars are perfect for creating bookmarks. Just cut away the section of the calendar that you want to turn into a bookmark and glue it onto cardstock. This is really such a simple project and it’s one that kids will love doing. This would be the perfect snowy or rainy day project. Once they finish with their bookmark, they can use it to mark their place in their favorite book.

Tutorial/Source: craftideas

2. Decorative Recycled Calendar Boxes

I love these little decorative boxes that you can make from those old calendars. You just cut and tape the calendar pages together to create them. With the holiday season coming up, these would be perfect for little gift boxes. Just add in some tissue paper to hold your jewelry or other small gift and you don’t even need to warp them if you use holiday themed calendar pages.

Tutorial/Source: scissorsandspoons

3. DIY Paper Bow

Turn those old calendar pages into beautiful bows that you can use to decorate any gift. You need scrapbook paper for this but calendar pages are the same weight so they will work perfectly. There’s a bit of cutting and folding involved but overall, this is a really easy project and if you have several calendars to upcycle, you can create a number of bows to decorate all of your gifts the entire year.

Tutorial/Source: taunieverett

4. DIY Upcycled Calendar Coasters

I love coasters. I mean, you can just never have too many, right? And, they’re the perfect gift for holidays and weddings. So, if you have an old calendar that you need to repurpose, you can turn it into gorgeous coasters with just some ceramic tiles and Mod Podge. Just cut your pages the same size as your tiles and glue them on with Mod Podge. These are so easy and turn out so gorgeous.

Tutorial/Source: prudentbaby

5. DIY Jigsaw Puzzle

You can turn old calendars and any old image actually into a lovely DIY jigsaw puzzle. This one is a bit detailed but it’s so much fun to make and to put together when it’s finished. Once you have the template for your jigsaw pieces, the rest is a breeze. How much fun would it be to create your own puzzles? And, you can give these away as gifts to anyone who loves the joy of putting puzzles together.

Tutorial/Source: instructables

6. Upcycled Tin Can And Calendar Vases

Turn empty tin cans and those old useless calendars into gorgeous vases, pencil holders or anything else with just a bit of time. This project won’t cost you anything since it’s made with all upcycled materials! You just cut the calendar pages to size and hold them onto your empty cans with Mod Podge. You may need to do a couple of coats to make sure that the pictures stay in place.

Tutorial/Source: fishtailcottage

7. DIY Decoupage Furniture

Imagine turning old furniture into something new and beautiful with just an outdated calendar. You can! From tables and chairs to just about anything else, you can use those calendar pages to decoupage furniture throughout your house and give it a wonderful new look. This is a fairly easy and super cheap way to get new to you furnishings throughout the house.

Tutorial/Source: bhg

8. DIY Upcycled Calendar Wall Art

You can also turn old calendar pages or covers into beautiful wall art. This one doesn’t even take much time and you don’t need anything but your calendars and some corrugated cardboard. If you have that on hand, you’re all set. Just attach your calendar pages to the cardboard and hang it up. You can also do frames if you prefer that over gallery type artwork.

Tutorial/Source: houseofjoyfulnoise

9. Easy DIY Drink Tags

Those old calendar pages would be perfect for creating these DIY drink tags, which are really useful during parties and outdoor get-togethers. You just cut circles from your pages and then another circle inside that one to fit around your glass stem. Then add the names of your guests and no one will ever lose their drink again. You can also theme these by using summer calendar pages for cookouts and holiday pages for Christmas dinner.

Tutorial/Source: sunset

10. DIY Upcycled Calendar Page Envelopes

I love having pretty envelopes on hand but I never remember to buy them when I go out. With these DIY upcycled calendar page envelopes, you never have to worry about that again. You can turn those pages into beautiful envelopes that are perfect for any letter or card that you need to send. With just a bit of cutting and folding, you will have gorgeous DIY envelopes that are perfect for any occasion.

Tutorial/Source: makingmondays

11. DIY Upcycled Calendar Gift Bag

Something else that I often forget to buy is gift bags. I just never have enough of those on hand and find myself running out after one every time I give a gift. Well, you can turn your old calendars into really decorative gift bags and never worry about those gifts again. I love this idea because although gift bags aren’t really expensive, they’re just not personalized enough for me. I can turn calendar pages into beautifully customized bags that are perfect for everyone on my gift list!

Tutorial/Source: idohaveatalent

12. DIY Goody Bags

Turn those old calendars into these adorable DIY goody bags that you can use for trick-or-treaters or parties. There is a bit of sewing required for these, but it’s not at all difficult and when you’re finished, you have these lovely goody bags that are perfect for all of your goody bag occasions. Fill them with candy, raisins, cookies or anything else you want when they’re done.

Tutorial/Source: babyccinokids

13. Easy DIY Japanese Kokeshi Dolls

These Japanese Kokeshi dolls require heavy paper, which your calendar has. Use those pages to create these adorable little dolls that you can then use for décor or to give to a special little girl in your life. These are so simple to make and they’re the perfect rainy day project for kids. You make them by wrapping your calendar pages around an empty toilet paper roll and then adding a foam ball which is decorated for the face.

Tutorial/Source: 365crafty

14. Japanese Kusudama Flowers

Origami is so popular these days and these Japanese kusudama flowers really resemble origami. These flowers are traditionally made from real flowers but you can replicate the look with your calendar pages. Just fold the pages origami style to create the petals and then glue them together to form flowers. The flowers can then be used for any number of decorating needs or assembled into a beautiful kusudama flower ball.

Tutorial/Source: planetjune

15. DIY Upcycled Calendar Magnets

What better use for an old calendar than to turn it into a beautiful new kitchen magnet? I’m a sucker for refrigerator magnets and love making my own. That’s really easy with an old calendar, clear accent gems, glue and magnets. You can get the gems at the Dollar Store and they’re really cheap. Other than that, you just need to buy magnets so this is a really cheap project, too. These make wonderful gifts for the upcoming holidays!

Tutorial/Source: popsugar

16. Fun DIY Matching Game

Turn those calendar pages into cute little matching games that are really educational for little ones. Just cut matching images from your calendars and glue them onto cardstock. You can laminate them to keep them sturdy or cover them with a couple of coats of Mod Podge. Once they’re dry, little ones can use them to help strengthen their memory. You could also do number and letter learning cards in this technique using the words and dates from your calendar pages.

Tutorial/Source: bugbooandbean

17. DIY Glass Paperweights

You can use the images from inside your calendar to create these lovely glass paperweights. I love paperweights. Not only are they actually useful for keeping papers on my desk, but they’re just so decorative. These are also super easy to make. You make these using Dollar Store candleholders, which are really inexpensive so these are among the cheapest DIY calendar projects I’ve seen and they make wonderful gifts.

Tutorial/Source: modpodgerocksblog

18. Upcycled Calendar Page Napkin Rings

These napkin rings call for magazine pages but you could just as easily substitute those calendar pages to make them. They’re super colorful and so very easy to make. You can actually create an entire theme for your table using your old calendars and you can make them all seasonal by using holiday colors for the winter months and brighter colors for spring and summer.

Tutorial/Source: fabmums

19. DIY Mini Calendar Notebook

Turn your old calendars into useful notebooks that you can keep in your purse or glove compartment for those writing emergencies. I always have a notebook on hand just in case something comes up and these little DIY mini notebooks are perfect for having on hand. You use the cover or pages of your calendar to create the covers for the notebook and then just add tiny pieces of paper and tie it all together with a ribbon or embroidery thread.

Tutorial/Source: abeautifulmess

20. Upcycled Calendar Office Desk Accessories

These office accessories are all made from upcycled materials. You use cardboard that you would probably just throw out and cover it with your otherwise useless calendar. Using this concept, you can create just about any decorative accessories for your desk including a pencil holder, storage box for CDs or letters and so much more!

Tutorial/Source: hubpages

21. DIY Colorful Origami

Origami is a great way to upcycle any paper products, including that outdated calendar. You can use the origami technique to create any number of wonderful things, including these origami hangers that have fringe and beads at the bottom. These would make beautiful curtain tiebacks or you can just hang them up to decorate for parties or other get-togethers. They’re super easy to make and give you a wonderful use for that old calendar.

Tutorial/Source: popsugar

22. Upcycled Calendar Paper Beads

Paper beads are great for decorating so many things. You can make a nice little collection of paper beads with an outdate calendar and then use those beads to make jewelry or add décor to just about any household item. Making paper beads is not difficult once you get started and you will be amazed at how many beads you will get from just one outdated calendar.

Tutorial/Source: rookiemag

23. DIY Rustic Pendant Banner

Whether you are decorating for a special occasion or you just want to add a little rustic look to your home, this pendant banner is perfect and you can make it from that old calendar. You just cut your pages into triangles and once you have enough, string them all together with twine or string. They’re so easy to make and such a lovely addition to your rustic decorating.

Tutorial/Source: raisingmemories

24. Easy DIY Paper Reed Picture Frame

Those old calendars can be used to create this stunning paper reed picture frame. To make this, you roll up the calendar pages and glue them as you go so that they stay rolled. Once you have enough rolled reeds, just assemble them over a basic frame and glue them into place. This is a wonderful project for kids and it’s makes a wonderful gift for the kids to put pictures in for the grandparents.

Tutorial/Source: illgetyoumypretties

25. DIY Calendar Wrapping Paper

When all else fails, use those old calendars to create your own DIY wrapping paper. Just tear out the pages and use it as you would sheets of wrapping paper. The date pages give your gifts a lovely rustic look and you can use the other side with the images if you want something a bit more elegant and picturesque. Depending on the number of gifts you give in a year, this little trick could help you save a bundle.

Tutorial/Source: blah-to-tada