Mummy hates waste. You name it – we recycle it. Last Sunday’s chicken roast? Sandwiches. Then stir-fry. Finally, soup. We have been subjected to the weirdest menus in the name of not wasting leftovers. You know that rule that says you can only cook meat twice before it must be discarded? Well, Mummy doesn’t. We’ve even once been served two-day-old bubble and squeak (with added bacon) sandwiched between a couple of pasta sheets, masquerading as a veggie lasagne. Our house is full of random buttons, screws and blue-tack remnants, and the tiniest snippet of paper has to go into the recycling bin. Thank goodness the question of how to recycle your Christmas cards is far simpler, way purer, and much less likely to necessitate a visit to A&E! Here are 2 examples of what you can do with an old Christmas card:
Thank you cards:
Now it is no secret that Mummy is ‘allergic’ to crafting – she is too much of a control-freak. However, her symptoms are way less serious than those attributable to waste. So, inspired by a post on Mediocre Mum about creating gorgeous cards using old wrapping paper, we decided to attempt simple decoupage with some of our old Christmas cards. First we cut some card to size, using fancy craft scissors (1). My silver pen (thank you Santa) added the required greeting. Next we cut out images from our favourite cards, and used double-sided sticky pads to attach them to the cards (2).
You will see that the reason she was able to cope with the crafting chaos was the distraction afforded her by carefully making a list of those family and friends who had graced us with a greeting this festive season (3). Just so she could be certain to return the favour next year. Control freak, see? An hour of creative endeavour for us, a sense of achievement for Mummy, and we had these to show for it:
Only problem now is getting round to writing them…
Gift Tags:
Gift tags were always an irritation in our house until we decided to make our own. Stick-on labels with not quite enough stick, rendering parcels completely anonymous under the tree on Christmas morning; teeny tiny tags with just enough space to write the recipient’s name in code – not worth their own exorbitant price tags! Home made gift tags are completely free, much larger, and stay put. Simply cut out your favourite designs from this year’s Christmas cards (making sure they are not printed on the reverse!), stamp out a hole with a hole punch, and attach some ribbon or string, and you’ve got your gift tags for next year!
Of course, they will need to be placed carefully in the box, with next year’s Christmas card list meticulously written out ready for Christmas 2013… 
About Helen WillsHarrassed mother to GG and the Bug.Writer of other people's blogs. Drinker of frozen wine.
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I’ve always done the gift tag thing. The trick is, at the beginning of December, to find where you put away last year’s cards. “In a safe place”, of course. I’ve never been organised enough to make the tags a year in advance – and I like doing it in December, to get in the Christmas mood.
I have been known to misplace them for an entire year. They turn up eventually, and it’s fascinating to read your card list from two years previously!
Thats a brilliant idea. I don’t have the first clue about arts and crafts yet – I have about a year to learn before letting z loose on it all!
Not My Year Off recently posted..Project 52 – Week 2 / Silent Sunday
Oh I’m totally allergic to craft, but they drag you in!
You clever thing you .. pS did you make pate with the chicken livers
Ninja Cat recently posted..Out of Africa
Do you know what? I can’t remember for the life of me!
I am especially loving the thank you card idea :O)
pinkoddy recently posted..16 Kids and Counting: Interview with Sue Radford Part 2
Home made – so much nicer for grannies, I think
Oh we do this for thank you. Love the gifts tags!
Amanda recently posted..Redfoot Shoes : Review and Giveaway
These are absolutely gorgeous and I think M might be at the right age next year to have a go at something a bit more challenging! Thanks for the inspiration!
Mediocre Mum recently posted..Slow Cooker Sunday: Sweet and Tangy Meatballs
Ahem! The insipration came from you lady! Thank you
Hello fellow craft-allergy sufferer! This is genius. I am literally just on my way to fish the Christmas cards out of the wastepaper basket. Happy New Year!
Yay! I love the idea that bin men everywhere will be collecting chopped up bits of card next week!
Such a good idea, and doesn’t Mummy have lovely writing! I make lists of who bought what for Christmas/birthday etc and by the time I come to do thank you cards I can’t read it.
Cat (Yellow Days) recently posted..‘Helping’ with unwrapping #socialpix
Actually Frugal. That’s a new blog right there!
Mammasaurus recently posted..Saturday is Caption Day!
Oooh great ideas! Just need time to get round to it now!
x
Domestic Disgrace recently posted..Shhh…My Secret Plan For When People Come To Dinner…
I love the tags, my Dad used to make some very similar! xx
Emma @mummymummymum recently posted..The best chocolate brownies
Ooh such lovely Thank You notes! I bet you were very pleased with these!!! And hooray to more crafting. Yay.
Maggy
(PS and thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!)
maggy, red ted art recently posted..Feature: Motivational Monday & Pink Oddy
Hoping to stop by more often this year – eeek!
Hi,
I’ve also made mine into gift tags!
I used to love making them with my Mum when I was little and now I make them with my little ones!
I hadn’t thought about using them for Thank You cards though! Great idea.
love
Claire
xxx
Claire recently posted..Learning Resources Answer Buzzers
Love the gift tag idea! Think ill be using this one for next year =]