Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Living on the Cheap.
As the holiday season comes to a close, many of us find ourselves with a delightful collection of Christmas cards that bring joy and warmth to our homes.
Rather than letting these cherished mementos gather dust or end up in the recycling bin, why not explore creative and practical ways to give them a new lease on life?
Repurposing old Christmas cards not only preserves the sentimental value they hold but also contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle.
From crafting beautiful gift tags and unique decorations to donating them to schools and community centers for art projects, there are countless ways to transform these festive greetings into something special.
Dive in to discover how you can turn your pile of cards into meaningful treasures that continue to spread cheer throughout the year. Let’s talk about all the tips on what to do with old Christmas cards.
Gift tags
Create gift tags by cutting pieces of the cards into square, rectangular or other shapes and punching holes for strings or ribbons. Write “to” and “from” on the back of the tag if there isn’t any room on the front.
Or cut out letter shapes from the cards to personalize family gifts.
Bonus: If you get photo cards from people and will be giving gifts to them next year, cut out their photos and paste it onto a scrap from another card and punch a hole in the corner to make a personalized gift card; you won’t even need to write their names on the tags.
Postcards
If there is no writing on the inside of the front of a card, cut the card’s picture area down to postcard size. On the blank side, draw a line down the middle, put the address on the right side, and write your greeting on the left side.
Ta-da! Holiday cards for next season for the price of a postcard stamp.
(Note: Postcards must be rectangular, at least 3.5 inches high by 5 inches long, and no more than 4.25 inches high by 6 inches long to qualify for the postcard postage rate.)
Cocoa envelopes
Let’s think about next year’s holiday! Take those extra-wide Christmas and holiday cards and glue the edges of three sides of the card together, making a sleeve. Punch a hole at the top of the card envelope.
Insert a package of homemade hot cocoa mix (or other gift) and tie closed using a ribbon through the punched hole. The card can be hung on the tree or tucked into a stocking.
Wine charms
Cut out little festive circles or other shapes from old holiday cards, making each one different from the next. Punch a hole in one end and insert a pipe cleaner or rubber band. Slip the charms onto a wine glass stem to create identifiers for guests.
Mini puzzles
Using a pencil, draw puzzle pieces on the inside of a card front. Number the pieces and cut out. Store the pieces in plastic bags, little boxes or plastic containers. You can use the little puzzles as a counting or sorting activity for your kids, and they can have fun putting the picture back together.
If you’re wondering what to do with Christmas cards, this is a fun activity that incorporates everyone.
Make a holiday basket
Repurpose the Christmas cards into adorable card baskets. Create your basket using family photo cards, or make a basket out of cardboard and attach the card using glue.
Popsicle puppets
Cut out figures (Santa, snowmen, etc.) from old holiday cards. This is such a fun activity for recycled holiday cards!
Attach a popsicle stick to the back with tape or glue. You have an instant stick puppet. Your child can put on plays or create fun stories with the figures. If you don’t have popsicle sticks, substitute straws or plastic spoons.
Build an entire neighborhood
Cut and fold holiday cards to make cute little houses. Make enough of them to display a miniature village. You could choose cards of the same color if you want your neighborhood to have some similarity, or go wild with color.
Download the template from Better Homes and Gardens here.
Scrapbooking material
If you scrapbook, cut out pictures and words from your collection of used holiday cards that you can work into your pages. This is a great idea for photo cards your receive from family and friends.
Recipe cards
Again, if there is no writing on the inside front of your used Christmas card, tear off the back page and recycle it. Write your favorite recipes on the blank side and add them into a card, gift or package.
This would be great to accompany gifts of food and with wedding or baby shower gifts.
Jar toppers
Cut circles out of greeting cards using a flat sealing lid for Mason jar as a template. When you give a gift in a jar, slip one of the card circles in to make it more festive.
Placemats
Another fun craft for kids using Christmas cards is making placemats. Have the kids cut out and arrange their favorite pictures from cards in a collage onto the paper, glue the pictures down and laminate both sides with contact paper. Instant placemat.
You can make special birthday or holiday placemats using photo cards of friends and family.
Place cards
Cut and fold place cards out of old cards for those holiday sit-down dinners. Or have some fun and attach the name cards to ribbon lanyards and have guests wear them to get acquainted with other party-goers.
Paper chains
Make a paper chain for the holiday tree or fireplace mantle. Simply cut the holiday cards into equal-sized strips. Make a circle out of one of the strips and tape or staple it together. Then add strips to the original circle, making conjoined circles (or links) into a chain.
Coasters
Supplies: Cards, 4-by-4 ceramic tiles, decoupage glue (Mod Podge), clear sealer, self-adhesive felt circles
Find a picture on an old Christmas card that will fit onto the tile. Cut to size. Put Mod Podge or preferred glue on the tile and place the card on top. Apply Mod Podge again over the card; it will dry clear. Spray with a clear sealer.
Place felt circles on the back to prevent furniture scratches.
New cards from old cards
Fold a piece of card stock, making a hard crease. Cut out a design from an old card and glue it to the front of the new card. Write your own message inside. (You can also do this with pictures you’ve taken and printed.)
Consider donating those cards to senior care homes or to other organizations in your area. Those “new” cards can brighten someone’s day. This is one of my favorite recycled Christmas cards activities.
What to do with old Christmas photo cards
These cards are not just pieces of paper; they are snapshots of cherished moments and connections with loved ones.
Once the tinsel has been packed away and the holiday decorations stored, what do you do with the stack of Christmas photo cards? Instead of letting them gather dust, consider giving them a new lease on life.
Repurposing these cards allows you to celebrate the memories they hold while also contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle. Here are some creative and practical ideas to inspire you.
Create a photo album
Compiling your Christmas photo cards into a festive photo album is one of the simplest yet most meaningful ways to preserve them. This keeps your memories intact in one place and creates a lovely tradition to revisit year after year.
You can organize the album chronologically or thematically, adding notes or stories next to each card to enhance the nostalgia.
Craft holiday decorations
Christmas photo cards can be repurposed into charming holiday decorations. Consider stringing the cards together with twine or ribbon to create a garland. You can also cut them into shapes such as stars or trees and use them as ornaments on your Christmas tree.
These decorations will bring a unique and personal flair to your holiday decor.
Memory collage
Create a memory collage by arranging your favorite photo cards in a frame or on a canvas. This can be a beautiful piece of wall art that showcases the love and joy of the holiday season, serving as a year-round reminder of cherished moments spent with family and friends.
Community art projects
If you have a surplus of photo cards, consider donating them to local schools or community centers. They can be used for art projects or craft activities, allowing others to benefit from the creativity and joy these cards can inspire. It’s a wonderful way to give back to the community and ensure the cards continue to spread happiness.
Repurposing old Christmas photo cards is a wonderful way to honor the memories they represent while embracing eco-friendly practices. By transforming these cards into new creations, you not only breathe new life into them but also celebrate the joy they bring long after the holidays have passed.
Whether you choose to craft, scrapbook, or donate, each card has the potential to tell a story that lasts a lifetime.
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