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How to Make Upcycled Calendar Envelopes

Don’t toss out the old calendars as you replace them in the new year.

Instead use them to make calendar envelopes for all your mailing needs. This is a simple way to make envelopes that also add a bit of whimsy to your letter writing and even your bill paying.

I have been making envelopes this way for years and yes I do use them for everything from paying bills to mailing thank you cards and more.  These envelopes always get talked about and are a fun way to use what you already have on hand.

A stack of handmade envelopes sitting on top of a calendar displaying the month of March and text overlay stating: how to make envelopes.

These are simple and quick to whip up.  They’re a great cold night project and great for kids too.

Supplies Needed:

Cutting:

Tear apart the calendars, so that each photo is a single page. Lay the template over the photo and arrange so that the center highlights a special or nice spot for the envelope.  Trace the template and then cut along the lines.

A photo of turtles on a log cut into an envelope shape laid flat.

Folding & Gluing:

Turn the envelope over so that you’re looking at the dates, not the picture. 

Fold up the bottom edge first, scoring with your fingernail.  F

old in the side flaps next again scoring with a fingernail. Run a bead of glue down the edge of the bottom flap and fold the side flaps over, pressing down firmly. 

An envelope being folded and glued with a hand holding a glue stick.

Let the glue dry for a bit before folding the top flap down.  Store your envelopes like this in a stack, in a drawer, or box. 

A calendar page that has been folded and glued into an envelope shape with top flap open, exposing the date squares.

Using Upcycled Calendar Envelopes:

Simply address and stamp as usual.  To make mailing addresses clearly visible use labels. I’ve done this for years and have never had a problem with the postal service in delivering these.

Handmade envelopes stacked on a table.

You can use any number of materials in place of calendars – old magazines, catalogs, etc.  Don’t forget the coloring pages and artwork of children, too.

If this is a project you really enjoy, check local thrift shops for supplies (like old books, magazines, even calendars).

How to Use Calendar Envelopes for Gifts

These upcycled envelopes make great gifts. Combine a stack in a theme for friends and put them in a little box or tie a ribbon around them with a nice pen and some labels. This is great for the person who loves to write letters.

Yield: 12 Envelopes

Making Envelopes from Old Calendars

A stack of homemade envelopes sitting on top of an open calendar displaying the month of March.

Upcycle old calendars by turning those photographs and other pieces of artwork into homemade envelopes.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $5

Materials

  • Old Calendars with Beautiful Images
  • Glue / Glue Stick

Tools

  • Envelope Template
  • Scissors
  • Marker / Pen

Instructions

  1. Unfold an envelope to use as a template. Make sure to choose an envelope that will fit over the photos of your calendar.
  2. Tear the calendar apart carefully so that the pages remain intact but unattached.
  3. Lay the template over the photo images so that it looks nicest on the big part of the envelope that will be the front side.
  4. Trace the template with a marker.
  5. Repeat for each calendar page.
  6. Cut the envelope out along the traced lines.
  7. Turn the envelope over, so that you're looking at the calendar squares / dates.
  8. Fold the bottom flap up.
  9. Fold the sides in.
  10. Use fingernail to crease the folds well.
  11. Glue the edges of the side to the bottom flap.
  12. Let the glue dry.
  13. Fold the top flap down.
  14. Repeat for each cut out template.
  15. Store the envelopes so that the top flap is folded down.

Notes

When ready to use, stuff the envelope with your letter.

Use labels for return and mailing addresses and add a stamp.

Seal the top flap with scotch tape or glue before mailing.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

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Jolyne Dunn

Saturday 6th of January 2024

I love this idea! I cut out calendar pictures and insert them into picture frames also.

Reet

Friday 10th of November 2023

Greetings from Australia, what a lovely & pretty idea!! I usually buy calendars with cats & kittens on them & i have a lot of friends that love cats as much as I do & these would make great envelopes for any greeting card. You can still use the original envelope that comes with the card but you can leave it blank & that envelope could be recycled if you need to send formal letters through the mail. I keep envelopes that junk mail or bills come in & I bundle them up & use them for shopping lists etc, it's cheaper than buying those little shopping list notebooks. LOL Thank you again for a cute tutorial.

Kindest regards Reet

Kathie Lapcevic

Friday 17th of November 2023

So tickled to hear this! glad you enjoyed the project.

Janette

Thursday 27th of July 2023

I am always on lookout for new crafty ideas and especially so when you can reuse like this idea. Also when you are putting out recycling papers and such,I have found old calendars,BINGO' someone's trash is our treasure!!!

Lynn

Friday 2nd of June 2023

Kathie, thanks for this amazing idea! Dunno why it never occurred to me - I love upcycling and reusing stuff. Every year I get 2-3 calendars with beautiful pictures that I feel are too pretty to throw out. Sometimes I send some to my little granddaughters when it’s something I know they’ll like. But now I’ll be able to use *all* the pretty ones! Great idea!

Kathie Lapcevic

Saturday 17th of June 2023

So tickled that you like the idea - have fun!

Pollie

Sunday 1st of January 2023

what a great idea! thanks for sharing.

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