20 Dec 2020 Repurposing Christmas cards

Posted at 4:48 PMh in Food & Home Entertaining by

By Julianne Milner

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The Christmas holidays are upon us, and with that comes the list of things to get done in preparation.

Dough bowls are the perfect container for an ornament collection with your favorite cards tucked in.

Finding the perfect gift for those on your list, preparing holiday menus, scheduling a few holiday get-togethers, and getting those Christmas cards out are usually on the to-do list, to name just a few items. Speaking of Christmas cards, I thought you might be interested in how to incorporate the ones you receive into your holiday decor this year. 

It’s always so nice to receive Christmas cards from friends and family, like a little hug coming in the mail directly to you. Who doesn’t need those? After you’ve read them though, they tend to just pile up on the coffee table or island, not ever finding a home and adding to the holiday clutter. Following are some fun ways to enjoy the cards all season long.

Frame them. Pick out a few of your favorite designs and put them in a frame. Framing is an inexpensive way you can enjoy the cards and the happy memories they bring year after year.

Include the cards in your Christmas gift wrap. Choose your favorite cards and find a coordinating paper and ribbon to create lovely packages under the tree.

Shop at your local craft or home-and-garden stores for hanging displays to which your cards can be attached. Add fresh greenery and ribbon for a wonderful gathering place for your cards. 

Your cards canmake a striking Christmas scene inside a lidded glass container. These are great conversation starters on the kitchen island.

Small cards can be attached to a cellophane bag full of homemade goodies for the neighbors and also make memorable hostess gifts. 

Things you already have on your countertops often make wonderful containers for a little Christmas happiness. For instance, a group of mixing bowls or a stand mixer.

Gift tags can be cut in different shapes from your Christmas cards using a paper puncher. These make perfect little tags to tie to gift packages, holiday goody bags, or to personalize your stockings.

Christmas cards can be attached to a holiday potted plants using twine, plaid ribbons, etc.

Attach a wide ribbon to your kitchen cabinets and clip your favorite cards to the ribbon.

Tuck a few cards in a dough bowl on your coffee table or in a kitchen appliance that you see daily. They add color and enrich the sentiment of the season.

Attach a favorite card to a clipboard for a quick decoration on a small wall or in a corner where you need a pop of holiday cheer.

Attach cards to the back of preserved wreaths and tie them to the backs of your chairs at the Christmas table.

I hope you look forward to the Christmas season as much as I do. I hope you take the time to choose a Christmas card and handwrite a note to your friends and family and mail it around the corner or across the world. I hope you tuck the ones you receive this year in a special place and enjoy them this season and for many seasons to come.  And most of all, I hope this Christmas season brings you peace, love and happiness. Merry Christmas from my family to you! Follow me on Instagram at juliannessoutherntable.com.