by Tiffany Liles

Created on: December 10, 2008   Last Updated: December 11, 2008

Every year our family has a wall posted with cards from well wishers, friends, business acquaintances and relatives. But when the decorations come down so do the cards and then what? I can't keep the cards because they will only flood in next year. After throwing away stacks of cards for years I realized I would have to find a better solution. Following a few of my favorite ways to reuse and recycle Christmas cards.

If you have young children using the cards to create a craft that is easy yet beautiful allows them to participate in the decorating frenzy. Simply remove the front of the Christmas card, add scissors, glue and glitter and you have a wonderful family activity. A wreath is a simpler craft that can be made from the pictures. If you cut the middle out of a paper plate it gives you a pattern to attach the pictures too. The best part of this idea is that it is good for kids five to ninety five.

Sometimes the cards have great pictures of snowmen or Santa that work really great for gift tags. Simply cut the picture out of the card that you like, punch a hole in the top and attach with ribbon. Then you have the perfect little tag to put the name of the gift recipient on and room to write a little note if you wish. You can buy glitter puff paint for a reasonable price and jazz the pictures up a little by outlining the edges.

Following the same theme, these pictures also make great ornaments. They are sturdier than paper having been printed on cardstock but still store well. Simply cut around the edges of the chosen picture or sentiment, punch a hole in the top and attach ribbon, yarn or a hook and you have an ornament. Glitter could be added to make it sparkle in the tree lights. Finally put the date on the back and who it was sent by so that you have a memory of that card for as long as you wanted.

Crafting the cards into something new is great but not the only way to recycle Christmas cards. Again removing the front you can take the picture portion of the card and write your own sentiment on it and pass it along to nursing or retirement homes. Most of the people who work at these homes will be glad to distribute the cards to the elderly patients who do not have many cards or gifts at Christmas.

This is my favorite thing to do with our old cards. It is a great way to teach kids about caring for others and the true spirit of Christmas. This is a way they can share in the experience of giving to others and learn that it doesn't have to be about donating money or toys, which can get expensive. Sometimes heartfelt wishes and a handwritten note of encouragement are just what someone needs.

Whether you craft the cards into something new or just take them to the recycling bin, enjoy yourself and your family, make sure that you have fun and laugh often.

Learn more about this author, Tiffany Liles.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.