What can you do with holiday cards once the Christmas season is over? Recycle them! Check out these 25+ Christmas card decor ideas.
I’ll be honest – and don’t hate me because I say this – I don’t really keep cards. Occasionally I will hold onto one that I feel is very special, but for the most part I don’t have anywhere to store them. My house doesn’t have a lot of storage, and I know that I won’t go back to them often anyway.
This is very different from my grandparents, who kept every card they ever received. Including cards we sent to them as children! I actually thought it was kind of cool. But again, those cards just sat in a box, and they were never really looked through.
With the holidays coming, it’s Christmas card time. I have to wonder if there will be more or less cards this year due to what’s going on in the world. I have to imagine there might be more? Everyone is looking for a little cheer in their life!
Here’s the thing . . . you have to wonder if those Christmas cards would be brought out more if they were used in some way . . . like maybe . . . crafts?
So I’m happy to share with you these great ideas for Christmas card decor! There are over 25 projects that will show you how to recycle your Christmas cards into stuff you can use around the home, primarily for decorating. I can’t believe the cute DIYs that some people have come up with.
So instead of throwing out the cards out this holiday season, I think I’m going to try some of these Christmas card decor ideas. Not only is it fun to keep the cards around in some manner or another (memories), but you can also use them to make free festive decorations.
Genius, right??
If you’re ready to see the crafts, go ahead and scroll down. I’d love for you to let me know if you’ve tried any of these projects. Also let me know if you have some smart ideas for recycling cards that aren’t included. Leave me a comment on this post. And Happy Holidays!
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Christmas Magnets
These DIY Christmas magnets are SO easy to make and are a perfect gift idea! Use your own cards or the free printable included.
Amy will show you how to make a paper ball ornament with scrapbook paper – but you can use this same tutorial and punch your circles out of Christmas cards! This is really easy to make, and if you have glue . . . it's free.
A lot of old Christmas cards are photos! They are perfect for adding to tiles with Mod Podge – you won't believe how easy they are to make. You'll love breaking them out each year!
One of the best things about this post is that Em calls herself an eco-Grinch! I laughed out loud. But then quickly snapped to attention when I noticed how cute her Christmas card boxes were. Talk about the ultimate in reuse!
Spell out your holiday greetings with festive Christmas card blocks. Spray paint wooden blocks with white spray paint then cut squares from six holiday cards so each side features a background from a different card. Use a die-cutting tool or stickers to add letters, then glue the paper squares and letters to the blocks with Mod Podge.
This Christmas card tree is a no-fuss way to display the holiday cards that arrive in your mailbox each day! It comes right off the wall when you’re done.
I absolutely love this idea with Christmas cards – not only is it a great display if you love vintage or farmhouse style, but that little wreath just makes me squeal.
These DIY decorative matchboxes make a charming gift by alone, combined with Christmas candles and are perfect party favors. It’s a frugal craft that is easy enough for beginner crafters.
Don't be afraid to take old cards and turn them into new cards. Because why not? Christmas cards aren't necessarily cheap, so you can recycle one year and make your own from scratch.
Notepads are great for not only note taking, but keeping children occupied when they get bored! Or maybe you like to sketch when you're on Zoom calls . . . whatever you need this for, they are easily to make with old Christmas cards.
This site is in Norwegian, but you can easily see how cards were used to accent gift bags – which are perfect for giving gifts, but also look kind of nice as holiday decor.
I love a good advent calendar, especially when it's made out of recycled materials! You can slip thin chocolate behind each panel for a treat every single day before Christmas.
I might be weird, but I absolutely love getting gift cards! If I receive one, I prefer that it be delivered in a envelope made of old Christmas cards – please and thank you.
These DIY coasters are cute and quite simple to make. This is a fantastic project to reuse old Christmas cards and to make a wonderful homemade gift for friends and family.
If you have to save your cards, this craft is a great way to do it. You can thin down the collection while at the same time saving memories by making these cute little albums.
This is a super easy holiday craft that can liven up any table and spark holiday memories from Christmases past. By using a few cards, you can create special holiday placemats for your dining room table!
I couldn't believe this was actually made from cards, but it is! Recycle your old Christmas cards into the cutest party crackers – perfect for what else but next year's holiday party.
I think the ultimate in Christmas card decor is ornaments! Then you can use the cards to grace your tree. So pretty, and I love this method for attaching them to wood circles.
There's no reason to buy bookmarks when you have old cards! Turn your holiday cards into DIY bookmarks that kids will love. This makes a fun classroom craft.
Rebekah
Tuesday 9th of November 2021
I made ornaments with Christmas cards, something like the garland.
Amy
Tuesday 9th of November 2021
They sound cute!
Jeannie
Friday 5th of November 2021
I thought .... I done many things with cards but you have shown so many others great ideas for them. Thank you, always looking for some new projects!
Amy
Friday 5th of November 2021
Glad you are enjoying, Thank you for the kind comment Jeannie!
Betty
Wednesday 3rd of November 2021
These are some fantastic ideas. I'll be trying several of them (no guarantees how they'll turn out, lol). Thank you so much!
Amy
Thursday 4th of November 2021
Thank you for reading Betty!