Christmas Card Recycling has been a holiday craft project for many decades. I am sure some people are thinking, why bother with Christmas card recycling? Let's first go back in time to where life moved at a slower pace and where Christmas was not so commercialized. Handmade gifts were lovingly made and greatly appreciated. Christmas was less stressful and thinking of and giving to others was the greatest priority. Christmas card recycling allows quality time spent with children and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the look of pride on their little faces when their project is complete. What grandparent, aunt, or uncle would not love to receive a handmade gift? It is a lovely Christmas card recycling keepsake to be cherished for years. This is also a great way to fill some time on rainy afternoons and to remind children how to play without toys and television. Cutting, sticking and making is fun which the whole family can participate in, and can even become an integral part of the families preparation for Christmas.

Successful Christmas card recycling: The First Rule

After the holidays save your cards and pack them along with your other Christmas decorations. This will ensure the cards being in the right place for crafting. Never place them with any other paper, avoid clutter and deciding to clean out and end up throwing them away. Placed with your Christmas decorations is the best place. The children will find them at the start of the Christmas season. This is the perfect time to start Christmas card recycling projects.

Tree Decorations Using Recycled Christmas Cards

This project starts by cutting shapes from cardboard. Some examples include bells,wreaths,and trees. Snowmen are an easy project for children. Cut the snowmen from the card and let the children apply glitter. Punch a small hole in the top and attach yarn and tie in a loop. Then the ornament is ready to hang on your tree.

Another decoration for your tree that is made from Christmas card recycling is paper pompoms. Start by cutting eight discs from the front of cards (thinner cards work better). the discs should be 4 inches. Then discs should be folded in half, stapling down the middle of the discs. The discs should be folded vertically; hold in your hand, a layer from each side should be stapled together. Continue layering and stapling until you have completed the pompom. String with yarn and hang from your tree.

Recycling Christmas Cards for Gift tags

One of the simplest and easiest projects for Christmas card recycling is making gift tags. Just cut your desired shapes and write To and From on the back.

If you are not into Christmas card recycling, there are some other options. You can simply drop your cards off at a site, usually some shops collect them for charity. a small donation is contributed to charities for every card donated.

Either way you decide to recycle Christmas cards, remember you are saving a tree. And the fun you can have as a family makes this the perfect project. Give it a try and surprise yourself.