If you are sentimental and keep everything then your storage space is likely running low. Check out these fun and creative ways your family can re-purpose last year’s Holiday cards. The next time you’re on the hunt for a quick, easy craft check out these ideas. From toddlers through adults; we think everyone will find a way to create something fun with all those old greeting cards.
Ideas to Use Old Holiday Cards
Crafts Ideas for Holiday Cards
Post Cards
Cut off the front of the card so you only have the pretty design. Draw a thick line down the back to separate the message from the address. Save money on postage and stationary!
Design New Cards
Take thin strips of card and piece them into a tree or ornament.
Make a Tree
Cut circles in descending sizes. Slip the biggest circle over a thin dowel rod attached to half a Styrofoam topiary ball. Stack each circle on top of a bigger circle for a 3d Christmas tree.
Create Puzzles
Cut up the front of the card into various shapes and sizes. Have your little one piece together like a puzzle!
Make a Book
Bind a years’ worth of cards together and create a keepsake book. Or, cut up cards to create a special message to a loved one.
Gift Box or Bowl
“Sew” cards together with thick string or yarn.
Bookmarks
Easy as cutting about 1.5 inch wide strip from a card. Punch a hole in the top and tie a ribbon or tassel to it.
Photo Frame
Cut out the center of a card with a star or window design. Use that as your frame. Or, frame a festive piece of paper and use cut out greeting card embellishments to decorate it.
Blocks
Grab some old baby blocks and cut cards to fit on each side of the block. Decoupage onto wooden or painted blocks!
Create Tree Decorations with Holiday Cards
Ornaments
Can be as easy as cutting out a pretty scene or figure or as complex as an origami ball made from a few cards. Have the kids cut out a few shapes and glue them to felt or cardstock for a pretty tree adornment. (pic)
Ring Garland
Cut strips of cards the same length and width and create rings, attaching a new ring to the last to make a long stand of rings to encircle the tree.
Garland of Circles
Cut small circles from cards and glue two together with a length of yard in between them. Continue until you have a good sized length to wrap around the tree.
Set the Holiday Table with Old Cards
Place cards
Dress up your holiday table with one-of-a-kind place cards. Cut a scene or character from a card and glue to the front of a piece of paper folded in half. Have the kids write the name of whoever is to be seated at that spot.
Placemats
Place a few cards together to create a rectangle. Seal with clear contact paper or slide into a clear page protector.
Attach Old Holiday Cards to Gifts
Gift tags
Cut a 2×3 inch (or so) piece of card and write to and from info on the back. Tape an edge to your gift. Super easy!
Wine Bottle Tag
Using the same idea as the gift tag above to label your bottle. Glue or tape the cut out piece of card onto a piece of paper. Cut to slip on to the neck of the bottle.
Custom Food Tag
Write the recipient’s name on the back of the cut out card, punch a hole in it and use a ribbon to tie around a jar of homemade applesauce or bag of cookies.
Gift Bag
Decorate a plain gift bag with a cut out card
Ugly Sweater
Cut out a sweater shape from a festive card. Use for any of the above ideas.
Gift Embellishments
Not only can you use the cards for gift tags but so many holiday cards come with beautiful bows, bells and die cut graphics it is easy to add something extra to your bow and gift tag.
Christmas Decorations with Holiday Cards
Christmas Bunting
Cut triangles or circles of the same size and string along a length of yarn. Hang each end from the mantle, across a window or above a doorway for festive décor.
Non-Christmas Bunting
Use the thick greeting card paper for this. We like to use the blank white back of the card or paint it the color of your choice and make bunting for any other occasion! New Year’s Eve, Birthdays or Valentines Day!!
Wreaths
Glue circles of cut cards onto green paper. Hang anywhere that needs a touch of whimsy.
Paper Chains
Make a Christmas countdown chain or advent chain. Write good deeds on the back to keep kids in the spirit of the season.
If Nothing Else…
Recycle Old Holiday Cards
Cut or peel off any glitter and embellishments then toss the paper cards into the recycle bin.
Donate Old Holiday Cards
Nursing homes, Girl Scout troops, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, art teachers, and others are always looking for cards.
Did you know you can donate used stamps? Charities like “Amnesty” and “Stamps for the Wounded” accept used stamps. They either sell them to collectors or to paper and crafting recycling programs. Trim the stamp off the envelope leaving about 1 cm border around the stamp. You can usually find prepaid envelopes to send them in. The holidays are a great time to start clipping those stamps.
Ready to move on from up-cycling Christmas cards? Check out these DIY ornaments!
