Our favourite crafty ways to recycle your Christmas cards
It's always a shame to bin Christmas cards once the festive season is over. With so many pretty designs and card ending up binned with the Christmas leftovers, it seems wasteful not to think of alternative uses. At Prima, we love finding new ways to be resourceful and get creative, so we've compiled a list of the best ways to recycle your old Christmas cards come January, including some fun craft projects.
Recycling Christmas cards
Picture the scene: the tree is down, the twinkly lights are a distant memory, and you're surrounded by Christmas cards lovingly sent to you by family and friends. They might have previously been destined for the bin, but did you know that Christmas cards can be used for tons of easy craft ideas, saving you money throughout the year and helping the planet!
When choosing your Christmas cards each year, it's preferable to choose ones that can be recycled or to opt for handmade cards, but it's important to check the packaging as often glittery cards with festive additions can't be put out with your household recycling.
Crafting with old Christmas cards
There are plenty of other ways to recycle old Christmas cards you've been gifted however, just read on for some ideas (and there's plenty of crafts for kids to get involved in too!).
Cut out images or add-ons to keep as ephemera for future crafts or as bunting.
Craft any sparkly pieces or ribbon on cards into decorations for other occasions throughout the year.
Make your own Christmas cards for next year using the designs.
Fashion cards into homemade Christmas decorations for the following December (which is also a great budget-friendly activity to do with kids!)
If you have an elf on the shelf, keep the cards to write notes on from the elf next year.
One side of a Christmas card is often left blank, so you can keep the card to craft into something non-festive throughout the year.
Cut the cards and make them into name labels for presents.
Make them into place settings on your next Christmas table.
Instead of buying money wallets next year, turn them into voucher or cash holders.
Make a memory jar or homemade advent calendar with activities on for Christmas 2024.
Things to remember when recycling Christmas cards
Don't add cards that contain ribbon, glitter, or other non-recyclable items to your household recycling.
Do get kids involved. Repurposing household items is a cheap yet fun activity and a great way to teach them to reuse what they already have.
Do make a note of where you've kept the craft supplies (how many times have you forgotten you had something until the following year? Us too!)
Don't forget to share what you've made with the sender of the card to show how much you loved it!
Merry Christmas!
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