Every
holiday season, families all over the country and all over the world have a plague
that fills their home - tons of Christmas cards! But before you get ready to toss
out that huge box full of cards youve accumulated, there are many creative ways
to use those cards and have fun with your kids! Make
cinnamon stick ornaments for your tree! Wrap a small bundle of cinnamon sticks
together with a ribbon tied in a bow (leave a loop for hanging). Using a tiny
bit of glue, attach a shape cut from a Christmas card with pinking shears to the
center of the bow to accessorize. These are simple to make, look pretty, and make
your home smell incredible! Are
your kids into puzzles? Make a Christmas jigsaw! Get together ten to twenty cards
and cut each one into three or four pieces in straight lines. Shuffle them and
lay them out on a flat service such as a dining table on the floor - then put
them back together again. If youre extremely crafty, cutting the cards into actual
jigsaw puzzle piece shapes can make for a bit more challenging experience. Store
your card-puzzles in a shoebox for next time. This is a great family activity,
perfect for the beginning of the season as it helps to get everyone in the Christmas
spirit. Make
scented sachets which make beautiful gifts or add fragrance to your own home.
Simple glue the bottom and side edges of the card together, then slip a small
amount of potpourri (or cotton balls dropped into a small bit of Christmas essential
oil) into the space. Use a hole punch to make two holes on the top edge, through
which you can thread a pretty ribbon before tying a bow. If you leave a loop in
the ribbon, the sachets can be hung on a door handle, coat hook, hanger, or a
radiator. The heat will help release the scent, but it wont last near as long.
Sachets in Christmas scent help to create a warm and welcoming holiday atmosphere.
For a fun
game, cut playing-card shapes out of the cards. You can stick a piece of plain
card over any writing if necessary, and use the cards to make a Christmas game
or quiz for your kids. If you want to protect them and use them year after year,
laminate them. Laminating machines, thanks to the return of scrapbooking trends,
are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. For
a cute decorating idea that your kids can do, cut out shapes in the cards in matching
pairs. Stick the cards back to back and laminate them. Punch a hole in them at
the top of each image and use them to make a colorful mobile or string to decorate
with. You can add to this every year and make it a family tradition. As a variation,
you could back each shape with a plain colored piece of card and write on it the
date and name of the cards sender. Gift
tags, though a traditional activity with holiday cards, never fails to amuse the
children. Using pinking shears, a hole punch, and holiday ribbon, you simply use
your Christmas cards to make gift tags for next years gifts. Simple and easy.
In the same instance, you can make gift bags by saving pretty paper bags, or buying
colored paper bags. Cut a nice shape out of each card and stick it to the front
of the bag Sometimes, just one Christmas card will yield many different bag decorations!
Add a ribbon bow above the card graphic and wrap your present in tissue paper
before putting it into the bag. This looks particularly lovely with brown paper
bags and tartan plaid ribbons. Looking
for a great new holiday screensaver? Scan your favorite cards into the computer,
as well as some of your favorite messages from inside the cards as well. Make
them into a screensaver or wallpaper with a photo program. Its a great memento,
and truly touches the card sender should they come to visit and find their card
or message appearing on your computer screen. Little
children still love lacing cards! On cards with large central images, cut out
the picture and punch holes around the edges with a hole punch. Add a shoelace
or brightly colored yarn with tape wrapped tightly around the ends, and you have
a cheap and cheerful holiday lacing card for young ones to play with. Like with
other activities, you can laminate them to make them last longer. Finally,
if you just have way too many cards and are looking for something to do, make
confetti! Use a plain hole punch and a holiday-themed punch (which can be found
at any scrapbook store) and choose the most colorful areas from each card to punch.
This also works with leftover wrapping paper. With
all these fabulous holiday activities, you can keep your children (and yourself)
busy for hours, and filled with the holiday spirit!
Amanda
Baker writes for All Things Pondered: http://AllThingsPondered.com
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