Recycling Christmas Cards
- Comments: 9
- Posted on: December 11th, 2008
Now, I don’t mean to resend used Christmas cards to my friends – although sometimes I’m very tempted!
Here is a simple craft you and/or your children can do and the result is a treasure you will use over and over every year.
These darling little ‘card boxes’ could be filled with ‘wishes’ or with gifts. Picture an advent calendar type application, perhaps with a tiny toy inside or a candy – you or your child can open one a day. You could reuse them every year, make them for friends, give them as Christmas ornaments or simply as a gift box to hold a tiny present.
Supplies:
Save your cards – even birthday cards work – or last year’s calendar photos. For this lesson I will assume you are using a regular size Christmas card.
Metal or wooden ruler.
Scissors.
Pen or pencil.
Ornament Hangars, paper clips or even ribbon, thread or string.
Directions:
Cut card in half to use one for the box top and one for the box bottom. I use a strong metal ruler to ‘rip’ the card in half quickly. Kids will need to use scissors.
On back side of the ‘box top’ card, draw a line from corner to corner then line up your ruler vertically at the edge and draw a line on each side. The top and bottom lines intersect the other lines and are 1/2 inch wider than the side lines – to look like this:
Cut along line at 4 corners to where lines intersect:
Place ruler along top – a ruler width plus 1/2 inch – and fold card, creasing sharply. On center section fold over the 1/2 inch, creasing sharply. Repeat on other end:
Now, fold sides, creasing sharply:
Your box top is ready to fold together:
Make box bottom exactly the same (I usually trim 1/4 inch off the card on two sides to make it just slightly smaller so it will fit inside the top). You may put the writing side of the card out so you can see who sent you the card or put the back side out if it’s interesting! Also, it might be a good idea to glue the end flaps down if the box will be opened regularly. (TIP: Everyone is going to want to see how you made it – and to copy your pattern – so make one box to give as a pattern).
Use a sharp object (adults only) to pierce two small holes in corner to put ornament hanger, ribbon, string or paper clip through. Put box bottom and top together – hang it from your tree! Fill it with goodies! Give it to a friend! Feel good about recycling your special cards to treasure for years!
I think you will be amazed at how lovely the card boxes turn out – expecially when made from Christmas cards – the pictures just seem to fit so perfectly.
Enjoy 
Cut each card
Hey! That’s a really good idea! I’ll have to pass that along to my scrapbooking friends because I am sure they will love it!
CJ Harley’s last blog post..First On Mars
ReplyWooh! Someone is being creative here. I’ll get the kids to bring out all old cards and do some arts & craft. Thanks for the inspiration. Mon
Monica’s last blog post..Nothing to show for debt
Replythans for sharing
ReplyThe other option is to do it into a square then you can fold it and just cut rather than measuring if you are like me and am constantly losing my rulers!
Hannah’s last blog post..Oklahoma Supercell
ReplyYou solved two problems at once! I compulsive keep Christmas cards from family and friends, and I like for each of my Christmas ornaments to be individually wrapped in their own boxes to be stored in a tote at the end of the season. If ornaments don’t come in a box, I have to try to find ones that will work. As soon as I read this, I grabbed a birthday card to try it out, and I will have my ornaments in these at the end of this holiday season. It’s perfect!
ReplyDIY: Recycling Christmas Cards http://su.pr/2Vyprc
Reply@MommaDJane You and @AskWifey might like this project to do w/kids: http://bit.ly/4oADtf
ReplyRecycle Christmas cards into this great project – even kids can do! http://bit.ly/4oADtf @blm03 @conniefoggles – YES I am CRAFTY!
ReplyOMG, I absolutely LOVE this idea, Heather!!! RT @heatherinbc Recycling Christmas Cards http://bit.ly/4RcD45
Reply