How to Reuse Holiday Cards

There is something about receiving a holiday card from a loved one. What do you do with all those cards though after the season? Here are some creative ways to put those cards to new use once this holiday season has come and gone.

Make your own gift tags. Card stock is the perfect medium to turn into gift tags for presents. Cut the cards into squares or rectangles to create whatever shape you desire. You can also cut around shapes. Then use a hole punch to create a space for ribbon or another tie. Use the tag to dress up gifts with something more unique than self-stick tags.

Make magnets.

All it takes is scissors, some glue, and sheets of magnet for a decorative and fun craft project. Turn favorite holiday cards into mementos that can be saved year after year, which also will dress up refrigerators or other magnetic surfaces. This idea works well for photo greeting cards as well.

Decorate your packages. Instead of overspending on preprinted gift bags, make your own. Buy plain bags in a solid color and then embellish them with cutout patterns or pictures from holiday cards.

Frame favorite cards. Make greeting cards a permanent part of holiday decor by framing the most decorative ones you receive. Use these frames year after year and put them on display with other holiday decorations. This also works great for those photo cards!

Make confetti. Shred older cards for confetti. Fill gift boxes or bags with homemade confetti made from recycled cards. ❁

Originally published in our Winter 2016 Issue.