How to Recycle Old Holiday Cards

Recycling old holiday cards can be a fun, budget-friendly family craft project. There are tons of different ways you can use Christmas, Hanukkah or other Holiday Season cards to decorate for the upcoming Holidays. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• old holiday greeting cards
• foam tape
• scissors
• double-sided tape
• hole punch
• ribbon or yarn
• 3-5 opening framed photo collage
• clear contact paper

1. Use your recycled cards to create scrapbook embellishments by trimming them down with scrapbook scissors to smaller graphic cutouts, or use stencils to cut out familiar holiday silhouettes (Christmas tree, star, candy cane, etc.) Use foam tape to mount them and give a scrapbook page a 3-D effect.
   
   These recycled cutouts can also be used in creating new holiday cards using either pre-folded blank cards, or by cutting down cardstock into smaller sizes.

2. Cut down old holiday cards to create gift tags and labels. On some holiday cards, you may have enough room to create folded gift cards, just be cutting a small square on the crease. On others, you may want to cut into 1"x3" gift tags. Use a hole punch to make a hole in one corner, then tie onto a present using yarn or ribbon, using the back of the tag to add the "To" and "From".

3. Create a framed collage from recycled cards. Use either one frame that is already cut with a 3-5 opening mat, or re-designate a few frames you may have on hand. For an all-in-one collage, use cards that are similar in color theme or design as shown in the photo above (which was created for a toddler's room). Framed collages are also a nice way to add a bit of holiday cheer in a guest bedroom or bath.

4. Make holiday placemats by affixing recycled cards with double-stick tape onto 8 1/2 x 11 (or larger) cardstock. Use clear vinyl contact or adhesive-backed paper to create a protective layer that can be wiped clean.

[rspears01]

on 11/5/2009 Wonderful ideas! I'll be saving my greeting cards now! 5*

[ramblin62]

on 11/3/2009 Great ideas for recycling old holiday cards. Have done some of these before and it can turn out to be gorgeous! tx.

[godfather25]

on 11/1/2009 Great article on recycling old holiday cards.

[perceptive]

on 11/1/2009 ...and ornaments, too! Great article, I love recycling/reusing any and everything! My sisters and nieces send me beautiful handcrafted greeting cards for every occasion, and I just can't toss them out. Now I don't have to!!! 5*****

[Rockney]

on 11/1/2009 Great ideas! 5*!