Tis the season for Christmas cards to start arriving in the mail. Before you know it, you can have dozens of cards adorning your mantel or entry way. When the season ends, your first instinct may be to toss those cards in the recycling bin, but the good news is, there are so many neat ways to reuse them! Take a look below at 7 ways to reuse old Christmas cards and instead breathe some new life into cards otherwise headed for the trash. You will never look at them the same way again.
7 Ways to Reuse Old Christmas Cards
1. Start scrapping.
If you are a scrap booker or know someone who is, Christmas cards can provide lots of cool graphics and wording. Simply snip out the text or picture you wish to use and add it to your scrap book materials to use now or later when the need arises.
2. Make your own gift tags.
While you may not be able to use them this year, you can always save your cards and cut them into gift tags for next year. Simply cut the cards in half and save the side where there is an image and no signature. Then, simply cut them into squares or circles and they make colorful and festive tags. If you want, you can also snip these into tags for yard sales, antique booth spaces, or any other time you find yourself needing some whimsical tags.
3. Dig out the decoupage.
Snip out your favorite pictures and text and you can decorate plates, cups, even small furniture pieces. Simply press the picture you wish to use on the object of your choice and apply some decoupage liberally. It will seal it to the object giving it some festive charm!
4. Make a memory flip book.
If you want to save your cards to reminisce with later, simply pile them up, clip the corners with a hole puncher, and run a binder ring through them. This will create a nifty little flip book perfect for looking at later when you wish to relive the season and the sweet messages you received.
5. Make ornament filler.
Shred your old holiday cards and place the shreddings into a clear glass ornament. This is a great way to make some fun holiday décor for less. Plus, you will know that the ornaments are filled with love, since they were once greeting cards from the people you care about. How sweet is that?
6. Make a fine motor skill kit for children.
In a shoe box place an assortment of cards and scissors. You can also place a hole punch and some yarn. Allow children to practice their cutting skills, as well as lacing skills using the cards and supplies in the box. This is an easy and inexpensive way for them to develop their fine motor skills, plus they will love using colorful cards instead of plain paper.
7. Make your own bookmarks.
Simply cut your greeting cards into strips, punch a hole in them, and tie on some ribbon. You can never have enough book marks on hand, and this is the perfect way to make your own for free! Kids will love creating these as well, so gather your cards and start snipping.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your Christmas cards long after the season is over. Give these ideas a try not only with your Christmas cards, but any greeting cards that may show up during the year. It is a great way to reduce, reuse, and recycle!
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Shirley Clement says
Been doing these since I was a teenager, now 65. What goes around comes around.You can also make hanging baubles by making circles of nice Xmas cards. Fold each edge over so that it looks square and then glue or staple them together until you have a hollow ball. Not sure now how many circles you need but it will all come together.
jayshree says
i am surely using few tips from these……great share
Kyra says
I use the parts of the cards not written on as recipe cards. Just cut out the card to size, getting as much of a good picture on the opposite side as possible, and write or tape the recipe on the blank side. Also, reuse blank sides as scratch paper.
linda says
I have used the front , if not written on, as postcards.
mjskit says
Great list Alea! I’m with you on #2. Every year I cut off the front of the cards and toss them with the wrapping paper. The following Christmas, I use them as gift tags. The receivers of those gifts love them!