| No one wants to throw away Christmas cards | | | | bound the album together by punching three holes |
| after Christmas. It seems like such a waste! I | | | | in the cover as well as in the Christmas letters. I |
| have a few creative ideas for recycling Christmas | | | | tied the album together with holiday ribbons. You |
| cards from visitors to my web site, as well as a | | | | could also slip the cardstock into the cover of a |
| few crafty ideas of my own: | | | | three-ring binder. I used an antique colored |
| If there was no writing or printing on the reverse | | | | decoupage to give the album an aged look. |
| side of the front of the card, use the picture | | | | This year I am using my Christmas cards (plus a |
| portion of the card as a post card type Christmas | | | | few cards saved from previous years) to create |
| card. On the blank side draw a dividing line; write a | | | | a keepsake ornament container for my college |
| message on one side, and on the other side write | | | | aged daughter. I was watching television, eating |
| the recipient's address and place the postage | | | | popcorn from my holiday popcorn tin, and all the |
| stamp. Not only does this recycle old cards, it | | | | sudden it hit me that the tin container would |
| saves money on postage because it is cheaper to | | | | make a perfect storage container for Christmas |
| mail postcards than letters. | | | | ornaments. I will decoupage the Christmas cards |
| Use pinking shears to cut designs in the front of | | | | to the tin container, and use the container to |
| an old Christmas card. Glue each design to a small | | | | store ornaments we have been buying for my |
| folded construction paper card to make simple | | | | daughter every year for her to have when she |
| gift tags. Then you can write the "From:" and | | | | gets married. She will also have a beautiful |
| "To:" names on the inside of the gift tag. | | | | keepsake ornament container. |
| Cut out pictures you like and glue them to | | | | Using old Christmas cards can be very |
| construction paper and laminate it. You will have | | | | sentimental. In just a few short years you may |
| pretty placemats for Christmas dinner. | | | | be holding on to Christmas cards from relatives |
| One year I used my Christmas cards to create a | | | | who aren't around any more. What better way to |
| keepsake album for family Christmas letters. I cut | | | | remember them than preserving their handwriting |
| the cards into different shapes and decoupaged | | | | in creative ways that your family will enjoy for |
| them to cardstock I had cut to 8 1/2 x 11 size. I | | | | generations to come. |