Use large envelopes to make head masks. Cut holes for the eyes and nose, paint it using your favorite color and glue leftover yarns to make the hair and eyebrows. You also can make an animal or Halloween mask. Use smaller leftover envelopes to make hand puppets. Turn the envelope upside-down so you can put your hand through the opening. Draw the eyes and mouth on one side of the envelope. Glue pipe cleaner, strips of fabric or colorful paper on the top to make the hair. Alternatively, you can glue your puppet's arms on the side of the envelope, draw its face and glue on pieces of fabric to make the clothes.
Transform leftover envelopes into luxurious gift envelopes to give your family and friends. Decorate them with sequins, satin and leftover pieces of ribbon. If your friends like to travel, glue pieces of old maps and vacation pictures on the envelope. Use old Christmas cards to decorate a Christmas gift envelope. You also can redesign the leftover envelope by cutting off its edges to create a round or heart-like shape. Do not forget to glue or tape the new edges.
Collect envelopes of the same size and shape to create a memory game. Cut pairs of identical pictures or illustrations from old magazines. Place one picture into each envelope and play the game. Alternatively, you can glue a picture on one side of each envelope. To create a jigsaw puzzle, place nine to 12 envelopes together to make a canvas. Use paper clips or small pieces of tape on the borders to hold the envelopes together and make a drawing using the whole surface. When separated, each envelope will be a piece of your jigsaw puzzle.
Draw a heart, star, flower or any other shape on one side of your envelope. Cut it out and put a picture inside the envelope. Decorate it with buttons, beads, small sea shells or ribbons. Glue a piece of cardboard of the same size on the back side of the envelope, to support it. Organize your paper clips, pens and pencils using an utility board made of leftover envelopes. Glue the envelopes side by side on a piece of cardboard and decorate them. Alternatively, use the utility board to keep your children's coins or stamp collections.