How to Make Crafts From Recycled Christmas Cards
Every Christmas, you likely receive a dozen or so Christmas cards. At the end of the season, they end up in a box for storage, never to be seen again.This year, instead of throwing your old Christmas cards away, you can recycle them into simple craft projects that can be given as gifts or kept as keepsakes.
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Instructions
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A Box
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1
Use scissors to cut your Christmas card along the fold so that you have two pieces that are they exact same size. For easy reference we will call the front of the card piece "A" and the back of the card piece "B".
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2
Draw two lines from corner to corner on piece "A "using a pencil. Use a ruler to get straight lines. The center of the "X "should be the center of the card. Repeat this step on piece "B".
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3
Fold all four sides of piece "A" into the center of the card. To do this, fold them so that the edges meet in the center of the "X". Press the folds to crease them well, then unfold the edges and lay it flat again. Repeat this with piece "B".
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4
Hold piece "A" vertically. Use your scissors to cut a straight line on the left side of the card. The line will run along the fold line on the left until you reach the horizontal fold line. Repeat this cut on the right side as well. Turn the card 180 degrees and repeat the cuts on the left and right side of the card. Repeat this process for piece "B".
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5
Fold both of the long sides of piece "A" along the crease line so that they sit at a 90 degree angle. Fold the cut sides inward at a 90 degree angle. Fold both of the short sides along the crease line so they are also at a 90 degree angle. Use tape to attach the long sides and the short sides together to create the box top. Repeat this process for piece "B" to create the box bottom.
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6
Place the top of the box on the bottom of the box to complete it.
A Placemat
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7
Cut the pictures off the front of old Christmas cards using scissors. Cut them into interesting shapes and different sizes.
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8
Lay a piece of paper towel out on your work surface. Place your cut out Christmas card pieces on the paper towel in any pattern you desire. Leave three-quarters of an inch between each piece.
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9
Prepare a piece of clear Con-Tact paper by cutting it to an inch larger than the size of your paper towel and peeling of the back. Lay the contact paper over top of the paper towel and Christmas card pieces. Press it down slowly and smooth out any are bubbles as you go. Repeat this for the back of your paper towel.
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10
Use scissors to trim the edges of your place mat to your desired shape.
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11
Use a damp rag to clean your place mat as needed.
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Tips & Warnings
For your box, you can add a craft sealant in spray form to give your box a longer life.
If you prefer, you can use construction paper instead of a paper towel for your placemat.
