How to Make Christmas Card Ornaments

Ever wonder what to do with the pile of Christmas cards you're left with at the end of the season? Here's a great way to recycle them into whimsical ornaments you can hang on the Christmas tree, tie to a chandelier or accent a mantel.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Christmas cards
• Craft punch (or drinking glass to use as a tracing tool)
• Clear-drying craft glue
• Dot sticker or eyelets
• Small hole punch
• Glitter
• Rickrack ribbon
• Mini pom pom balls
• String or ribbon

1. Unpack all your cards from Christmases past to find the best ones. If you have never saved Christmas cards before, start a new tradition this year. Store your cards along with your holiday decorations to keep them safe from the elements and to prevent them from molding.
2. Round up your favorite Christmas cards to make the ornament. Pick out cards that have the most colorful and whimsical themes. Cards with images of snowmen, birds, candycanes and Santa Claus make for nice ornaments. While looking at the cards, keep in mind how a particular scene will look cropped into a smaller circle or other shape. This will help you choose the best cards to turn into ornaments.
3. Decide what shape you want to make your ornament. There is an endless amount of shapes you can use for an ornament, such as diamonds, stars or squares. A circle is a popular choice for this particular craft.
4. Prepare to cut the card. First, fold the card in half with the images on the inside. Place the card on a flat surface. (Having two layers will give the ornament more thickness and help you to decorate it.) Use the bottom of a glass or jar to trace a circle on the back of the card. Trace the part of the card that has the theme you want displayed on your ornament. (To cut out the circle you can also use a craft punch.) Add a small amount of craft glue to adhere the two circles together.
5. Punch a hole at the top of the ornament using a small hole punch. Then, place a dot sticker or scrapbooking eyelet over the hole. Next, dab the outer rim of the ornament with glue and then sprinkle with glitter, or attach either rickrack ribbon, or mini pom pom balls.
6. Thread the ornament with a heavy gauge string or thin ribbon that matches the colors of your ornament. Then, place the ornaments on your Christmas tree or hang them from thick ribbons tied to your staircase. Vary the shapes and sizes of your ornaments to create a more dynamic theme for your Christmas tree or home.

Tips & Warnings

• Use vintage Christmas cards if you want to create a retro or Victorian look for your holiday decorating scheme. Ask relatives if they have any old or antique cards that they would like to donate to your decorating project.