How to Use Old Christmas Cards for a Green New Year

When Christmas is over, what should you do with all of the Christmas cards you received? Although many people send email Christmas greetings, some people still mail out traditional Christmas cards. Some are photo Christmas cards, funny Christmas cards, religious Christmas cards, and scenic Christmas cards. Here are a few ideas for those Cards you've collected.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Christmas cards

1. Make new cards with last year's Christmas cards. Cut out the artwork and use when making homemade Christmas cards.

2. Use the cards as clip art for future craft projects. Even the inscriptions can be reused in scrap booking or altered book projects.

3. Start a scrapbook. Preserve for your family a book containing the cards you've collected over the years. It will remind you of friends, family, and will provide a place for those photo Christmas cards you've received.

4. Make Christmas tree ornaments. One of my favorites is to take a round plastic coffee tin lid and embellish the edge with lace and Christmas bling. On one side of the lid paste a circular cut photo of your child, and on the opposite side of the lid paste a circular cut out from a Christmas card.

5. Make a Christmas plaque using decapague. Preserve and display an especially lovely card by applying the artwork to a plaster of Paris or wood plaque.

6. Make a box. Small boxes can be made using cards of similar size and paper weight, and tape.

7. Donate the cards. An elementary or preschool teacher might love the cards for future art projects. Check with the schools and with friends who are teachers.

Resources

• Make a Card City

[Upon-Request]

on 12/27/2008 Great article on recycling cards!