The back of a colorful envelope.

Make a Calendar into an Envelope

Looking for a way to reuse your outdated calendars from the Marine Debris Program Art Contest? Follow this step-by-step guide to transform the calendar, or any other scrap of paper, into an envelope. 

Supplies: 

  • Outdated calendar or other scrap of paper

  • Template envelope

  • Scissors

  • Glue stick

A calendar, envelope, glue stick, and pair of scissors on a table.
You don't need many supplies to repurpose your calendars. You can even use one plain envelope as a template to make several more! (Credit: NOAA).

Steps:

An envelope deconstructed and unfolded.
Your pattern envelope may look different, but the steps will work the same way (Credit: NOAA).

  1. Gently deconstruct an actual envelope, that once unfolded, will fit the size of the calendar page. Pro tip: if you plan to make several envelopes, trace the deconstructed envelope onto a cereal box and cut it out to create a more stable template.

  2. Trace the envelope onto the calendar in pen or pencil.

  3. Cut out the envelope shape.

  4. Flip the envelope over and fold up the back tabs and glue or tape them into place.

Steps 2-4 of making the calendar into an envelope.
It might take an extra couple of tries to get the pattern exactly right. And make sure you have some overlap on your lower flap so that you can glue it to the sides without sticking to the back as well (Credit: NOAA).

  1. Turn the envelope over and write the address in permanent marker, or add an address label. 

  2. Add postage and mail it!

A colorful envelope with an address label.
Ready to send! (Credit: NOAA).
 

For citation purposes, unless otherwise noted, this article was authored by the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

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