Rather than toss old Christmas cards, give them a second life by turning them into holiday decorations. Here are three amazing and easy ways to repurpose them. Not only can you be creative, but you can also prevent landfill overload!
1) Create holiday tree decorations – Using a large round punch with a scalloped edge, punch out a scene from a Christmas card. Then take a small hole puncher and punch a hole towards the top. Next, affix a ribbon through the hole to make a long loop and knot at the top. Then hang the card ornament on the tree.
2) Make a giant Christmas tree for the wall – Using tape, affix the cards in the wall in cascading order with one at the top to form the shape of a giant Christmas tree.
3) Decoupage a shoebox – Separate the top and bottom of the box. Cut the fronts of the holiday cards and parts of the greetings into manageable size pieces – or cut around edges of images. Working in small areas, apply Mod Podge (a popular brand of decoupage glue) as directed with a foam brush. Place your picture over the glued area. Then top with a thin layer of glue and smooth out bubbles as you go. Continue decoupaging according to directions until the whole box is complete. Let dry before use.
4) Create a holiday wreath – Take afoam or wire wreath frame. Affix the cards to the wreath using hot glue for the foam or bendable wire, ribbons, or clothespins to attach the cards to the wreath frame. Overlap the cards for a “full” look. Affix a big bow to the bottom.
5) Make fancy garland– Attach a bunch of old Christmas cards, spaced evenly apart, to a strand of garland using clothespins that you’ve painted (and let dry, of course!) in holiday colors.
Remember that the sky’s the limit when it comes to being creative. If you have any crafting ideas you’d like to share, please feel free to comment below.