How to Recycle Christmas Cards Into Usable Gift Tags With These Free Instructions

Getting Christmas cards in the mail is one of the many elements that is the festive holiday season. It is the time when we hear from friends and relatives from near and far. It is the binding tie that keeps us feeling connected. If you do no hear from them at any other time of the year, you know that you can count on a heart felt holiday greeting.

After the holidays are over and we are all putting away our Christmas decorations, what do you do with all of your old cards? You can save them to repurpose and recycle into other useful items next season. Today, we will make gift tags.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Christmas Cards
• Ink Pen
• Scissors
• Needle or other sharp object
• Thread or ribbon

1. 
    
   Recycle Christmas Cards Into Gift Tags

   Using an ink pen, free hand a gift tag shape on to some places on the front of the Christmas card that will look great.

2. 
    
   Recycle Christmas Cards Into Gift Tags

   With Scissors, cut out your shape. You will probably be able to get several tags out of the front of one card.

3. 
    
   Recycle Christmas Cards Into Gift Tags

   Using a needle or pin, create a hole in a place on the tag where thread or ribbon can be inserted. I wanted this project to be able to be done without the benefit of a hole punch but if you have one of those, that is all the better.

4. 
    
   Recycle Christmas Cards Into Gift Tags

   Insert the thread or ribbon you intend to use in the hole that was created. This tag can now be taped to a Christmas present.

5. 
    
   Recycle Christmas Cards Into Gift Tags

   Using the back of the gift tag, write a "To" and "From".

Tips & Warnings

• Use the back of the card as well. There are many blank places that a tag can be cut from making these perfect for gifts throughout the year that are not Christmas related.
• Because you are creating your own tags, you will be able to get many tags in many shapes and sizes, thus using most of the card giving it new life and a new purpose before it sees a landfill.

Resources

• How to Create Beautiful Framed Art From Recycled Christmas Cards
• How to Recycle Christmas Cards Into Clever Bookmark Gifts

[Handmadedreams]

on 11/9/2009 This is a great article for this time of year.

[norma-deplume]

on 11/7/2009 Keep these great ideas coming!