Cool Ways to Reuse Those Greeting Cards - Christmas, Valentine's, Mother's Day

Gift Box
Directions
Supplies:

• Cards


• Glue stick


• Paper to cover inside over writing


• Scissors (optional: paper cutter)


• Ruler


• Double-stick tape

Tiny gift boxes
Directions
Supplies:

• one card


• scissors


• pencil


• glue

Basket
Directions
Supplies:

• 14 used holiday or greeting cards


• white glue


• yarn in complementary colors


• computer and printer with paper


• printable pattern (found on directions page)


• scissors


• yarn needle


• small but sharp-pointed scissors, sharp awl or similar item to poke holes through two cards glued together


• optional: crochet hook

Gift Box
Directions
Supplies:

• greeting or holiday cards


• ruler


• scissors


• pencil


• white glue (optional)


• glitter, ribbon, rick-rack or other embellishments (optional)


• printed template

Hexagon box with lid
Directions
Supplies:

• 16 cards 4 1/2" x 6"


• Stick Glue or all purpose white glue


• Small amount glitter yarn


• Paper punch 1/4" round hole


• Scissors or cutting mat and rotary cutter


• Pencil or pen


• Size G/6 aluminum crochet hook


• Tapestry Needle

Luminaries
Directions
Supplies:

• Four holiday or greeting Cards (try picking ones with similar colors or themes)


• small hole punch


• embroidery thread (coordinate the color with your
• cards)


• needle


• pin

Ornament
Directions
Supplies:

• used Christmas cards


• pencil


• scissors


• tacky glue


• gold cord or ribbon


• round template or large coin as shown in directions


• optional: glitter hot glue sticks, glitter or sequins

Star

Directions
Supplies:

• tons of cards


• scissors


• pen


• ruler


• cardstock to print pattern for body


• glue

Angels
Directions
Supplies:

• one or two cards for each angel


• wooden beads


• doll hair or yarn


• fine black permanent marker


• gold or silver chenille stem or brass wire


• glass, saucer or compass and pencil


• acrylic flesh colored paint


• glue


• optional - stapler


• optional - ribbon or cord if you wish to attach a hanger


• optional - paint, sequins, glitter or additional decorations

Fan
Directions
Supplies

• Pretty paper like wrapping paper, or old Christmas cards, or shiny magazine page (print won't show)


• Hot glue gun or scotch tape


• Your choice of decorative effects

Journal
Directions
Supplies:

• paper (of all kinds)


• ruler


• yarn


• embroidery thread


• sewing and embroidery needles


• a Popsicle stick


• heavy books


• buttons


• other random crafty bits

Scented sachets
Supplies:

• Holiday or greeting card


• Glue


• Potpourri or essential oils


• Hole punch


• Ribbon

Make scented sachets to give as gifts or fragrance your own home. Simply glue the bottom and side edges of the card together and then slip a small amount of potpourri (or a cotton ball on which you have dropped a little Christmas essential oil) into the space. Use a hole punch to make two holes on the top edge, through which you can thread a pretty ribbon before tying a bow. If you leave a loop in the ribbon, the sachets can be hung on door handles, coat hooks or radiators (the heat will help to release the scent, but it won't last as long).

Postcards
Use cards which haven't any writing on the inside front. Cut out the fronts of the cards, and you have a postcard! On the blank side, draw a line down the middle. Write your message on the left, add the recipient's address and a stamp on the right. These can be quick thank-you notes for the gifts you've received.

Recipe cards
Use cards which haven't any writing on the inside front. Cut out the fronts of the cards and write a favorite holiday recipe on the blank side. Enclose this with a letter, package, gift or card to your family and friends.

Card Puppets
Directions
Supplies:

• old holiday or greeting cards


• popsicle sticks, craft sticks or even plastic straws


• white glue


• kid-safe scissors


• bowl or vase


• filler weight for the vase (rice, beans, sand etc.) to support the puppets


• Optional: white silk poinsettia flower

Bookmarks
Directions
Supplies:

• Used Greeting Cards


• Posterboard or Cardboard


• Crayons, Markers, or Paint


• Glue

Placemats
Supplies:

• Cards


• 11x17 paper


• Scissors


• Glue


• Lamination supplies (clear contact paper will do)

Select your favorite cards and cut out the picture or card front. Make a collage with the pictures or arrange the card fronts in rows. Glue the cards/pictures onto an 11x17 sheet of paper. Cut down the paper ahead of time to make a smaller place mat, if desired. When finished, have the place mats laminated or cover front and back with clear contact paper. That's it!

Confetti
Make some Christmas confetti to use next year. Use either a plain hole punch or a special Christmas one (both together look great) and choose the most colorful areas from each card to cut. Gold and silver looks very effective, especially mixed in with red and green. Small scraps of left-over wrapping paper can be used too. You can keep children busy with this for hours!

Puzzles
Directions
Supplies:

• Greeting Cards


• Tacky Glue


• Jumbo Craft Sticks


• Scissors


• Exacto-Knife with Sharp Blade


• Tape