Old Christmas Cards

Christmas cards, we never throw them out after Christmas!! We turn old Christmas cards into new things! Here is a list of just some of the items you can make from your old Christmas or any type of card:

1. Bookmarks
The larger cards make great bookmarks. Cut the cards into strips of 6 - 7 inches long by 2 inches wide. Ttry to get ones that included a picture or scene on it. Punch a hole at the top of the strip and tied ribbon and/or string to the top. You can write your own personal message or quote on the back.

2. Gift Tags
Why pay for gift tags when you can make your own!! Cut the cards in circles, and in squares, and/or with scalloped edges. Then on the back of the card, use a marker to write: "To:", and, "From:". You can also cut some larger ones, and folded them so they ended up being like a small card. For all the tags, hole punch and tied thread through them. We end up with enough tags to do all our gifts.

3. Puzzles
We used two cards cut to the same size. Then, we glued them together so there is a picture on each side. Once dried, we then cut the cards into pieces and put in an envelope - an instant puzzle and a great stocking stuffer for a child!!

4. Magnets
Cut out the picture and glue a magnet on the back. Turn your fridge into a Christmas decoration!

5. Merry Christmas Sign
From the pictures on the card, cut out the letters for "Merry Christmas" (block size 2"). Then used thread and taped it on the back of each letter to keep the words together. You end up with a colorful "Merry Christmas" sign.

6. Ornaments
Kids especially love making these. Use a picture from a card, and a piece of scrap material. For the back of the ornament cut old material and glued it to the back of the Christmas picture. Before gluing, place a piece of cord between the card and the material so it formed a loop (cord was 8 inches long). This makes the ornament ready to hang. We made the picture approx. 4", and the material piece was 4 ½".

7. Recipe Card
Cut a card to the size of a recipe card (5 inches by 3 inches). On the back of the card, write out the recipe. A quick and easy gift for someone who enjoys your recipes.

8. Gift Bags
While you can buy gift bags for $1.00 at the dollar store, each dollar can add up.. Use paper lunch bags and decorating them with pictures and words from the cards. For the larger gifts, use a plastic grocery bag, turned it inside out and decorated the bag. Tye different colored yarn at the top of the bag so once the gift is in the bag, you can tie the bag shut.

9. Make New Christmas Cards
This is one project that I think every parent has been involved in. Fold a piece of construction paper in two. Cut out pictures and words, and glue onto the construction paper. Kids love doing this!!

10. Wrapping paper
For gifts that you do not want to put into bags, you can make your own wrapping paper. We used brown packing paper (much cheaper than wrapping paper and a lot of fun to decorate). Cut out pictures and words, and glued them onto the brown paper. This is a great project to do with children.

11. Donate to a school or daycare
Schools and daycares will put your old cards to good use by having children make crafts from them.

So next time you get Christmas or any type of cards, recycle them - make new things from old cards!!