Make mealtime more fun with handmade place mats! This easy collage project is a great way to get the kids involved in special holiday dinners and gatherings. Make all of your guests feel welcome with a unique placemat designed just for them.

What you'll need:

• Bounty® paper towels—one sheet for each place mat
• Sources of inspiration: magazines, old greeting cards and calendars, photos (extra originals or color/digital copies), clip art, etc.
• Colored construction paper to cut out letters if you want to personalize your place mat (or you can use sticker letters)
• Letter-size, self-adhesive laminating pouches (no heat or laminating machine needed). You also can use clear, self-adhesive Con-Tact® paper.
• Scissors
• Other flat decorative items (bits of ribbon or wrapping paper, pressed leaves, etc.)

Directions:

1. Decide on a theme for your mat. Here are some ideas: • Seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall) • Animals (dogs, cats, horses, zoo animals, frogs) • Holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanza, Passover) • Sports (baseball, football, swimming, soccer) • Favorite foods (ice cream, fruit, pizza)
2. Find pictures from your sources of inspiration that match your theme. Different sizes and shapes will make your place mat more interesting.
3. Cut out letters from the construction paper or use sticker letters to put your name (or someone else’s) on the place mat if you want to make it even more personalized.
4. Add the bits of ribbon or wrapping paper or other decorative items if you want. Make sure the items are flat.
5. Trim your paper towel on all sides so it is about 1/2” from the outside edge of the laminating pouch. Lay your trimmed paper towel on a flat surface.
6. Arrange your pictures and other decorative items on the paper towel until you’re pleased with your design. Be sure to leave about 3/4” between each picture or letter so they don’t bunch together when you cover them with the laminating sheet.
7. Carefully center your place mat design on the clear side of the laminating pouch. There should be about 1/2” between your mat and the edge of the laminating pouch.
8. Peel off the liner strip from the top half of the laminating pouch, and then quickly press the adhesive side down over your place mat to seal.