Creative Ways to Display or Reuse Christmas Cards
Cards hold memories and sentiments that we treasure. From holiday greetings to heartfelt notes from loved ones, these small tokens are often too precious to toss. So, why not turn them into lasting keepsakes or beautiful displays? Here are some creative ideas for repurposing and displaying your cards, keeping those memories alive and fresh.
1. Create a Christmas card collage wall
- Idea: Choose a wall in your home (a hallway, home office, or craft room works great) and arrange your favorite cards into a colorful collage.
- How-to: Use removable adhesive or mini clothespins to create an easy-to-update display. Group cards by theme, color, or season for an aesthetic look. Weave in other holiday decor like twinkle lights or small wreaths for more impact. This can be a heartwarming daily reminder of happy memories and the love from friends and family.
2. Greeting card garland
- Idea: Use your cards to create a cheerful garland that can be displayed around the holidays or year-round.
- How-to: Attach your cards to twine with mini clothespins. This makes for a festive decoration you can change out for each season, birthday, or anniversary. To simplify your garland, you can even cut out the designs or messages you love. It’s a lovely way to see the ones that really make you smile!
3. Turn cards into bookmarks
- Idea: If you’re an avid reader, why not keep a small piece of your favorite cards close by? This is especially thoughtful if the card comes from someone special.
- How-to: Trim out small designs or sentiments, laminate them (or use clear tape to make them sturdy), and punch a hole for a tassel. Each bookmark will remind you of a cherished memory every time you open a book.
4. Repurpose cards into gift tags
- Idea: Save money on gift tags by transforming cards into unique and personalized tags for gifts.
- How-to: Simply cut out small shapes from the cards, focusing on designs or handwritten messages that fit the occasion. Punch a hole and add some twine for an eco-friendly, thoughtful addition to any gift.
5. Create a keepsake book or scrapbook
- Idea: Gather all your cards into a scrapbook for a lovely memory book to revisit anytime. These make great coffee table books to put out over the holidays.
- How-to: Arrange cards by theme or event (weddings, birthdays, holidays) and place them into a scrapbook. Add in little notes about who gave each card and the year for added nostalgia. Embellish the pages with stickers or ribbon for an added special touch. If you have many cards, create separate books for different occasions or years.
6. Use cards to make decorative coasters
- Idea: Create a set of coasters featuring card designs that mean the most to you, perfect for your coffee table or as gifts.
- How-to: Cut out your favorite parts of cards to fit standard coaster tiles. Use a sealant (like Mod Podge) to attach the card piece to a tile, adding a waterproof layer on top to protect it. These make for unique, functional decor.
7. Design a memory jar
- Idea: Turn your cards into a collection of memories to revisit whenever you like.
- How-to: Cut out the most meaningful sections from each card and write a note on the back with the date and who it’s from. Fold each piece and place it into a jar. Whenever you need a pick-me-up, pull out a memory and enjoy a heartwarming flashback.
8. Create a shadow box display
- Idea: Display a few of your favorite cards in a shadow box so that you can switch them out over time.
- How-to: Find a multi-opening frame or a shadow box where you can easily swap cards in and out. This keeps your display fresh, and it’s a fun way to highlight new cards as you receive them. A shadow box also allows you to add small mementos, like a clipping from your Christmas tree, holiday ornaments, twinkle lights or keepsake notes.
9. Make a seasonal wreath
- Idea: Use cards with seasonal designs to create a wreath that can brighten up your front door or a cozy spot in your home.
- How-to: Cut out designs from holiday cards, like Christmas or Halloween, and glue them onto a foam or cardboard wreath base. You can use other accents, like ribbons, ornaments, or even little trinkets from the cards themselves, to make it festive and meaningful.
10. Turn your favorite Christmas cards into framed wall art
- Idea: Transform cherished Christmas cards into a festive piece of art that adds holiday charm to your home.
- How-to: Choose a selection of cards with the most beautiful designs or heartfelt messages. For added flair, use holiday-themed scrapbook paper as a background or matting. You can display this artwork every holiday season as part of your decor, giving your cards a second life while spreading Christmas cheer!