'twas the night before the classroom party

...when all through the house

the crafter was crafting,

ignoring the snores of her spouse.

Just kidding, actually I got everything finished before midnight, and my husband kept me company the whole time.  Wanna know how I made them?  You probably won't have time to do this in time for Christmas this year, but you can hold onto the idea for other holidays or Christmases to come, right?  Thought I should put the instructions and little tutorial together now, while I remember. 

Can you guess what the packages are made out of?

Yup.  Empty toilet paper roll.  So useful, those things!  So, collect yourself some paper tubes, and gather your supplies.  You'll need the tubes (one tube makes one package), some gift wrap (preferably 24" in length so you won't have any scraps at all - love the way that works out), something to measure with (I used my Omnigrid), something to cut with (I had an Xacto knife), double-stick tape, glue stick, and a paper crimper.  Oh, and small little things to put inside, of course.  You could use scrapbooking paper, too, but I think the gift wrap is a little thinner (which is good, because the toilet paper tubes are pretty thick), and probably works out to be a *lot* cheaper, especially if you're making quite a few.  I had 24 of these done in about an hour.

Cut your wrapping paper into 4.5" x 6", use glue stick or tape to wrap your paper tube with the cute gift wrap, then put a strip of double stick tape on the inside edge of one end.  Run it through the paper crimper, turning the handle about three times.  You're crimping about an inch.  Incidentally, Cindy has a great tutorial for this, too, only she made hers entirely out of cardstock. 

Insert your goodies (remembering that you'll lose about another inch again when you close it up), and flatten the other end, making sure it's perpendicular to the first edge (whoa, what's that *math* word doing on my blog?!).  I think you'll get it if you just look at the photo.  I used a screw punch to make holes in the corners where we attached little "From Rebecca" tags.  Turned out cute, but I hope the kids don't care that there's only stickers, mini erasers and peppermints inside.

I even got all the teacher gifts made and wrapped up, but I'll save that for another post.  Did you notice the wrapping paper I used?  How it says "Randolph" right next to the reindeer?  Do you think that's a crazy, glaring typo?  Is there a Randolph Reindeer legend I don't know about?

Comments

[Beth]

Maybe Rudolph is trademarked? Very cute idea! I've never seen a crimper before - very cool!

[lizandrsn]

Maybe Randolph was was that mysterious "other" reindeer, as in "all of the other reindeer." Never mind. He had a bad attitude. Little did he know that he would be immoralized in wrapping paper for all eternity.

That's how it goes sometimes.

[kim]

Love this idea...! Always looking for good favor ideas... thanks!

[Amy]

You always have the cutest ideas! Randolph - hilarious!! We got a snowflake sticker book this year with all 8 sided snowflakes. Yeah - the editorial staff on christmas goods isn't so strong... Merry Christmas to you all!

[regina]

these are great!!

[jenny]

Fabulous! Glad to see someone is crafting. I haven't lifted a needle and weeks and (just between you and me and the gatepost)I'm loving it!

Hope you have a fabulous Christmas. Catch up in the New Year when things are less hectic!

[Sandra]

There's an old, old "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer" cartoon on the end of the DVD "A Christmas Carol" starring Alastair Sim as Scrooge. My personal favorite version of this classic. Anyway, the cartoon was about Santa Claus naming Rudolph and that he didn't look like a Randolph. This is the only time I've heard of the name Randolph. Check it out, it is a really cute cartoon. Have a wonderful Christmas and thanks for your instructions!

[Junie Moon]

I love your packaging idea and am definitely adding it to my Christmas arsenal of tricks. As for Randolph, he's Rudolph's twin (but without the red nose) and serves as Rudolph's backup in case he gets the flu and can't fly on the magic night. Naturally, I made all this up as I've no true idea as to Randolph's actual identity. But it's fun to contemplate his origin.

[jenny]

Congrats on the win over at allsorts!

[kristin]

i swear...you have great give-away karma. i saw the allsorts post too...this is such a cute idea Michelle! i'm sure the kids were beside themselves to break into their packages.

have a Merry Christmas!! xx

[joy]

nice!!!
what did you do for the teachers?-i am going to give my teachers presents after the new year...life is too crazy right now

[Carrster]

Those are adorable! I'm bookmarking this tutorial for next Christmas! :)

[Mrs. Pickle]

I totally agree! I teach preschool and there is nothing my kiddos love more than a toilet paper roll! The members of my household are firmly scolded if they dare to throw one away!!! RECYCLE PEOPLE!!!!!

Precious gift- you are so thoughtful and teachers adore parents like you!!!

Congrats on winning the giveaway!

[connie jones]

Great little treats. TFS!