As your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or other holiday cards come piling in, make sure you don’t throw them out. Many people like to find a way to display these cards through the holidays. But after the holidays are over, what do you do with them? Does it seem a shame to throw out cards with those beautiful pictures on them? Fortunately, there are many fun ways to reuse the beautiful pictures and sayings on these cards. If you have a bunch of cards from previous years, pull them out and have fun coming up with ways to use them. If you don’t have any on hand this year, save the ones you receive this season to use for next year. Try these tips:
Postcards
Did you know that you can make postcards out of many different things? Here are the U.S. Post Office’s requirements for postcards:
* Height: 3.5-4.5 in
* Length: 5-6 in (dimension parallel to address)
* Must be made of unfolded and uncreased cardstock or paper
* Must be rectangular
Within these guidelines, anything goes! Cut off the front of a greeting card that doesn’t have writing on the back and trim it if necessary to fit these measurements. Save your postcards for next year and save money not having to buy as many cards. You’ll save money on stamps too!
Puzzles
Make a small puzzle for kids. Glue the picture from the card on cardstock, laminate and cut out. Save these for a Christmas activity for the following year. Or, kids can have fun cutting out their own puzzles.
Gift Tags
Small or detailed pictures on cards will make great gift tags. Simply cut out and punch a hole in the corner or side, if desired.
Bookmarks
Again, just cut out into desired size. Punch a hole in the top center and add a ribbon.
Placemats
For unique holiday placemats, glue several card fronts to one large sheet of paper, then laminate.
Framed Art
Frame a few cards in small frames to make a festive wall grouping out of small pictures.