CREATIVE CRAFTING

Christmas Card Class and Tote Tutorial

Every year the same question: What do I do with these Christmas Cards? I have always hated throwing them away, so what did I do with them? Here are some of the ideas I have come up with over the years.

Jigsaw Puzzles

For those of us living in the winter climate of the north, we know that children become “antsy” (only word I could think of), and on our nerves during the times they cannot go outside. So years ago when faced with three very active boys, I started making jigsaw puzzles for them out of the cards. My daughter often helped as she was older and it kept her from murdering her brothers, so it was a win-win.

We would cut up several of the leftover cards, lay them on a flat surface, usually a floor and let the boys try and figure out how to put them back together. It kept them occupied for a little while and gave me a little peace. When they became bored we stored them in a shoebox until the next “antsy” time.

Tree Ornaments:

There are many ideas on the internet for making Christmas tree ornaments out of used Christmas cards. This one I found several years ago.

Wrap a small bundle, I use about 4 sticks, of cinnamon sticks with a bow. The with a small dab of glue attach your Christmas card cutout. Sometimes I attach it right to the loop on the ribbon other times to the sticks themselves. It depends on the size of the cutout.

Not only do look nice on the tree but they smell wonderful!

Sachet Pouches

The card is already squared off..you need only to glue the bottom and sides together to form a pocket. Then take potpourri or a small cotton ball that has a drop of essential oil into the pouch that you created. Punch two holes at the top to thread a ribbon thru tying it into a pretty bow. Be sure and leave a loop at the top so that it can be hung from doors, closets, near radiators, cook hooks,,,you’ll find places. I place mine on the inside door handle of the front door, that way when someone walks into my home during the holidays they are greeted with a welcoming Christmas atmosphere.

The scent won’t last long though, so you might have to either add some during the season.

Gift tags and bags

Leftover ribbon, last years cards, a hole punch, pinking shears, and small paper bags (you can usually pick these up at the dollar store), and glue this is all you need for a fun activity for children of all ages. We always did these for activities during the winter months right after Christmas and kept them until the following year.

Christmas Card Miniatures:

Some of the cards you receive have designs that can be cut and refolded for the kids to give next year or for a doll house design….imagination is the key.

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