What to Do With Christmas Cards
by Joyce Pierce - piercejam@sbcglobal.net
Description: Don't throw your old Christmas cards away! Here are some creative ideas for recycling them.
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A few years ago a dear friend of ours mailed us a beautiful
Christmas card with Mary and Jesus on the front.
It's probably taken from an original painting because
the artistry and colors are absolutely gorgeous.
It was much too pretty to pack away at the end of
the season, so I put it in a pretty brass frame and
placed it on my piano. It has remained there throughout
the year, and when I look at it, I am reminded of
this season where the Christian world celebrates
the birth of Christ, and also remember my good friend
who sent the card. I know she spent a lot of time
picking out just the right card to express her feelings
about the season, so that card represents a piece of
her heart. Each time I look at it, it gives me a
warm feeling inside.
At the end of the season I usually take all of the
Christmas cards we've received and pack them away
with the ornaments and decorations. Then, the next
year when I open the tubs again, I find them there
waiting for me. I read them again and find that I
enjoy reading the letters as if for the first time.
It also helps me remember who sent a card last year
so I don't forget them this year. Through the
years I've found ways to either preserve the cards
for myself, or pass them on to someone else.
Either way, the card is recycled and not destroyed.
1. Frame them. If they touch your heart, put them
in a nice frame. If they're just something
that helps set the mood for the holiday, a clear
acrylic frame will do the job. Most cards will fit
in a standard 5 x 7" frame. You can then pack
it away for next year, or put a new card in front of
it when the next holiday comes along. I have done
this not only with Christmas cards, but Valentine
and Mother's Day cards. It helps keep the sentiment
in front of me for more than a few seconds!
2. Decorate frames. Cut the artwork out of the
card and apply Mod Podge (TM) to protect it. Follow
the directions on the bottle. Once the artwork is dry
and ready to use, glue it to an acrylic or plain wooden
frame. Include a picture and give it to a friend.
3. Make a card. Cut the front and glue it to a piece
of cardstock to make your own card for someone else.
Or, cut out shapes and use them to make your very own
original! Get creative and use cutouts from several
cards to make your own.
4. Posters. Take these cutouts and glue them to
construction paper or poster board. Grandparents
love homemade projects.
5. Gift tags. Either use the front of the card
whole, punch a hole in it and tie it to your package
with a ribbon, or cut out the trees, snowmen, santas
and do the same. You can also use this artwork to
decorate packages you've wrapped in kraft paper.
There is no right or wrong way to do any of this. Make
this a family night project and let everyone get
involved. You'll be making memories of your own as
you work together as a family.
Copyright 2002. Joyce makes it her business to help improve your family life.
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