Each year it seems like such a waste to toss the beautiful Christmas cards that our sent to us. Sometimes I save them, but I'm never quite sure exactly how to save them properly. And the ones that include photographs don't exactly fit in photo albums. This year, instead of stuffing them in a box or in the trash, turn them into future craft projects and Christmas decorations.
Ornaments
Martha Stewart has a great tutorial on how to make ornaments for next year's tree with Christmas cards of this year. These ornament balls will look great on the tree, or in decorative vases or bowls.
Bookmarks
These book marks on FrugalGirls.com are adorable. All you need are Christmas cards, scissors, a hole punch and some ribbon and you can make cute bookmarks for your budding readers.
Next Year's Cards
Use the front of this year’s Christmas cards and make new cards out of them. Your kids can get creative and make cards for the teachers, coaches and friends. Check it out here.
Christmas Card Charger
Use the photos from your Christmas cards to decorate a plastic charger that can be used daily, or on special occasions. Better Homes and Gardens shows you how.
Christmas Card Sillhouettes
Better Homes and Gardens shows you how to turn your Christmas cards into beautiful home décor. It's easy and you'll have brand new decorations to hang each Christmas.
Christmas Card Blocks
Using wooden blocks and Christmas cards cut into squares, Better Homes and Gardens shows you how to make these adorable and festive wooden blocks perfect for decorating the mantel for many Christmases to come.
Making crafts with the kids is a lot of fun, especially when you get to recycle too.
