Print ArticleAs we know, Christmas cards have certainly evolved from the simplistic notes and letters sent back in the 1800s when the tradition first began to the incredibly beautiful works of art many of them are today. The vast majority of these cards are so pretty that it's a shame they usually go to waste after the holidays are over. Store the cards you receive this season with either your craft supplies or your Thanksgiving (or Halloween) decorations so you'll have plenty of time next year to create many wonderful things with your old Christmas cards.
Christmas Cards and Decoupage
If you've never heard of decoupage or have no idea how it's done, you'll be pleasantly surprised at this simple and inexpensive craft and how many ways it can be used for decorating and creating unique gifts. While there are decoupage mediums to use that can be found at any craft store, you can easily make your own with white glue and a bit of water.
To create a simple but beautiful gift box or centerpiece, use an old shoe box and old Christmas cards cut into different shapes and glued onto the box. Mix the white glue with a few teaspoons of water, depending on how much glue you're using, and use it to "seal" the cards, or decoupage them to the box. Spread the glue with cotton swabs or a small paint or foam brush, and excess glue or air bubbles on the cards can be removed with a wooden popsicle stick.
Christmas Card Ornaments
What better way to decorate the tree than with Christmas cards that come in just about every style, color, theme, and design you can think of? For the simplest of ornaments, and ones that the kids can help make, affix pictures from the Christmas cards to cardstock or some type of heavy or construction paper and decorate the edges with ribbon, lace, or bows. The kids can use crayons or markers to personalize theirs and will be thrilled with seeing their creations adorning the tree. You can also by various types of Christmas card holders that are good ornaments in their own right.
Christmas Card Collages
Use an inexpensive picture frame, preferably at least 5 x 7 inches, but if you have many cards to use you may want to use either an 8 x 10 or a 10 x 16 frame. Of course, the larger the frame the more it will cost, but if you have an old picture that you really never liked, remove the artwork and use the frame and glass for your collage. Next, gather all of your favorite Christmas cards and cut the pictures out into different shapes.
Experiment with a few arrangements before actually gluing the cards down onto either heavy paper or cardstock cut to match the size of your frame. If you're making the collage as a present for someone rather than as a decoration for your home, add photographs along with the Christmas cards to make it a beautiful and personalized gift.
Christmas Cards and Decoupage
If you've never heard of decoupage or have no idea how it's done, you'll be pleasantly surprised at this simple and inexpensive craft and how many ways it can be used for decorating and creating unique gifts. While there are decoupage mediums to use that can be found at any craft store, you can easily make your own with white glue and a bit of water.
To create a simple but beautiful gift box or centerpiece, use an old shoe box and old Christmas cards cut into different shapes and glued onto the box. Mix the white glue with a few teaspoons of water, depending on how much glue you're using, and use it to "seal" the cards, or decoupage them to the box. Spread the glue with cotton swabs or a small paint or foam brush, and excess glue or air bubbles on the cards can be removed with a wooden popsicle stick.
Christmas Card Ornaments
What better way to decorate the tree than with Christmas cards that come in just about every style, color, theme, and design you can think of? For the simplest of ornaments, and ones that the kids can help make, affix pictures from the Christmas cards to cardstock or some type of heavy or construction paper and decorate the edges with ribbon, lace, or bows. The kids can use crayons or markers to personalize theirs and will be thrilled with seeing their creations adorning the tree. You can also by various types of Christmas card holders that are good ornaments in their own right.
Christmas Card Collages
Use an inexpensive picture frame, preferably at least 5 x 7 inches, but if you have many cards to use you may want to use either an 8 x 10 or a 10 x 16 frame. Of course, the larger the frame the more it will cost, but if you have an old picture that you really never liked, remove the artwork and use the frame and glass for your collage. Next, gather all of your favorite Christmas cards and cut the pictures out into different shapes.
Experiment with a few arrangements before actually gluing the cards down onto either heavy paper or cardstock cut to match the size of your frame. If you're making the collage as a present for someone rather than as a decoration for your home, add photographs along with the Christmas cards to make it a beautiful and personalized gift.
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