Frugal Parenting
(featured column)
15
Creative Ways to Recycle Christmas Cards
by
Rachel Keller
Every year
people spend millions of dollars buying and sending Christmas cards. While you
can save significant money by purchasing cards after Christmas, what do you do
with all the cards you received from family and friends?
More...
While it’s easier just to throw your old Christmas cards out
when the holidays are over, consider trying one of these creative ideas instead:
 | When we first receive our cards, we like to hang them
around doorways for a very festive look. I know others who hang cards on
stairway railings.
|
| Once the Christmas season is over, we place our Christmas
cards into a basket. Throughout the year, we like to review Christmas cards
and letters and pray for that family on that day. (You could place the cards
into a notebook instead of a basket.)
|
| Some Christmas cards have sentimental value. Place these in
a family scrap book.
|
| Many Christmas cards make great ornaments. Cut out various
scenes and decorate with raffia, glitter, buttons, etc. You can make an
ornament with a single card or glue two cards back-to-back. Cut into
different shapes for variety.
|
| Try making some aluminum pie tin ornaments from meat pie or
dessert pie tins. Cut a Christmas card to fit the inside of the tin. Glue
the card into the center. Punch a hole on top and thread some string through
to hang on the tree. (I made these ornaments when I was little and still
have one that is 30 years old!)
|
| Some cards make beautiful pictures when framed. I currently
have a couple framed cards hanging in my house. No one realizes that they
are recycled Christmas cards.
|
| Use a pretty Christmas card as a bookmarker.
|
| Cards make great craft ideas. My six-year old son took a
picture from a card. He made a popsicle frame for it and glued buttons and
other decorations on the popsicle sticks. His craft won a ribbon at our
local fair.
|
| Have your children make their own Christmas cards by
cutting apart pictures and even the words from inside the card.
|
| Cut apart the cards to use for gift tags. Use decorative
scissors for more flair. (Editor's Note: Large cookie cutters make
great shapes for gift tags too!)
|
| Some Christmas cards make wonderful postcards. Write a
message on the back and attach a postcard stamp. You save money on the card
and postage!
|
| Make festive Christmas magnets with Christmas cards and
stick-on magnets. These make great gifts, too!
|
| Design Christmas placemats. Cover with contact paper. Just
wipe with a damp sponge or cloth when dirty.
|
| Create a coaster with a CD and Christmas card. You might
want to shellac the coaster to protect it.
|
| Make a Christmas wreath or Christmas collage with your
cards.
|
| Recycle scraps or cards you can’t use instead of tossing
in the trash. |
