Recarding should be the wave of the future. I save all my old greeting cards and even ask others to donate to me. By cutting certain words, pictures, trim, and colored parts of the cards you are able to recard or recreate a new card.
I use paint card samples from the hardware store that are being thrown out. These bright colored card backgrounds support the scrapbooking design papers or scraps from magazines or the computer. They actually look professional and no one will even know that you recarded. I keep glitter, buttons, ribbons, and stickers handy to embellish the new cards.
Making envelopes is easy too. I measure the card and reuse the back pages from hardback books as the envelopes. Old wallpaper or scraps of cloth are sometimes used too.
By lnygaard from Billings, MT
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My father passed away recently and we were getting cards from all over and from people that my brother and I weren't familar with. Instead of trying to keep envelope with the card, I just tore off the return address and taped it to the back of the card.
Don't throw away all the pretty Christmas cards you get away. There are so many things you can do with them. Everyone knows you can make postcards and name tags for gifts with them, but you can also cut out the design you might want to use when you scrapbook.
Re-use Christmas and Hanukkah cards for recipe cards to include with a holiday food gift.
I am often without wrapping paper for a special occasion. I also keep a box full of cards that I have received, rather than pitch them.
Give the gift of love, "cards to recycle", to friends and they will definitely remember your card!
I use old greeting cards and scratched cds to make beautiful coasters. You make a template from a piece of acetate and place this so the part of the card you want to use is central.
If you end up with a card without an envelope for a birthday or anniversary, you can cut the card with scalloped craft scissors. Cut the front of the card out and the message from inside the card. Embellish a gift bag with the card and message.
If you're like me, you hate to throw out pretty wrapping paper. I use it as many times as I can to wrap gifts.
Save your Christmas cards for gifts for next year. Use craft scissors for unique designs to cut out pictures on Christmas cards and glue thin magnets on the back.
For those who are into crafting, this can be a fun money saving thing to do to recycle those cute and pretty card fronts.
I save photo Christmas cards and birth announcements through the year, then collage and frame them in one big poster frame. They decorate the kid's playroom.
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Any suggestions for recycling old birthday and greeting cards?
monnat96 from Pingree Grove, IL
I teach repurposed workshops to kids of all ages (preschool to "seniors"), and we use greeting cards to make all sorts of things - from doorknob hangers to bookmarks, banners, gift boxes, magnets, etc.
Does anyone have any ideas about what to do with old birthday cards, mother's day cards, etc.? I get them every year and I hate to throw them out. I try to hold on to the more meaningful ones but I still hate to throw out the others. Thanks for your help.
I don't see why you couldn't take the cards and arrange them on a board, tray and put a protectant seal on it. That way you could use it for serving or as a decorative piece in your home. You could possibly take a picture frame and arrange them for display. Good luck!
have you considered donating them to nursing homes so the residents can use them in crafts.
I cut the fronts off then mount them with white glue or glue sticks to a piece of cardstock to reuse all over again!... They are great for school art projects, as teachers are always looking for something new & inexpensive to do in their class.
Thanks everyone. Your suggestions are great. I guess I needed a little jarring of the brain to awaken my creativity. Again thanks! Kathy
How I can have them send to me, instead of recoiled or put in garbage?
By catcabcas from Duluth, MN
Give sentimental or funny greeting cards a longer life by sharing them a second time. This page explains how easy it is to reuse greeting cards as postcards.
