How to Make New Things Out of Used Greeting Cards

Used greeting cards can be made into a variety of projects.

In this age of reduce, reuse and recycle, it helps the environment to make new things from used greeting cards instead of throwing them away. And considering the number of holidays and cards used to celebrate them, there is no lack of material. The number of things you can create with used greeting cards is really only limited by your imagination. A few ideas to get you started include making postcards, coasters, place mats, table runners and gift tags out of cards.

Things You'll Need

• Used greeting cards
• Scissors
• Clear contact paper
• Glue stick
• Single hole puncher
• Ribbon

Instructions

Postcards

1. Cut the flap off a used greeting card and save the left or top of the card. Thick cards or cards with foil on them make the best postcards because they are the most rigid and can make it through sorting machinery without getting damaged. Make sure there is no writing on the inside of the cover.

2. Trim the edges to make a postcard. Mark three lines in the middle of the right side of the postcard for the addressee's information. Postcards should measure at least 3.5 x 5 inches minimum to 4.25 x 6 inches maximum, according to the United States Postal Service.

3. Write your message on the left side of your new postcard, apply postcard postage, and mail.

Coasters, Place Mats or Table Runners

1. Cut the flaps off of two used greeting cards. Try to find patterns and colors in the cards that coordinate with your home decor. Cards with colorful pictures also make interesting patterns when pieced together.

2. Stick the insides of the covers together with a glue stick.

3. Cover with contact paper on both sides to create a water-resistant coaster. You can leave the coaster in the shape of a rectangle, or trim the coaster into a circle of at least 4 inches in diameter or into a square with rounded corners.

4. Overlap the edges of several card covers and glue them together to make place mats or table runners. Cover these place mats or table runners with clear contact paper to make them water resistant. You can make theme-related items using only birthday cards for birthday place mats, or Valentine's Day cards for Valentine's Day place mats, etc. About eight cards will make a place mat; 12 cards will give you a small table runner.

Gift Tags

1. Cut the cover off a used greeting card and trim out part of the scene. Look for bright colors, foil or interesting images to make your gift tags stand out. Make sure the other side has no writing. Use Valentine's Cards for Valentine's Day, Sweetest Day or anniversary gift tags. Holiday cards can be used for holiday gift tags, and birthday cards can be used for birthday gift tags.

2. Punch a hole in the top or end of the trimmed card.

3. Insert a ribbon through the hole, loop it around and tie the ends of the ribbon into a bow to create a gift tag.

References

• Thriftyfun: Uses for Old Christmas or Greeting Cards
• USPS: First Class Mail Prices and Sizes