Every year, I make Christmas ornaments for our five nieces. I love making them, and the girls tell me they love putting their own ornaments on the tree. Some years I’m stumped for ideas, but last week I came up with an idea that I really like, and I’ve made three ornaments so far. Here’s a picture of the first two:
In my craft stash, I had kept a pile of old Christmas cards (this goes against my new clutter-free lifestyle, but my craft corner is exempt). To make these ornaments, I cut squares and rectangles out of the cards, used a needle to punch small holes all around the edges, and then stitched them together with embroidery floss. Each one took me about an hour to make, and they are a thoroughly enjoyable project.
Overall, we’re planning to skip Christmas this year. Our son is only 18 months old, and gets just as much pleasure out of a drawer full of wooden spoons as he would from a tree piled with presents. So we plan to skip the tree and all the craziness this year. But the ornaments for my nieces is a tradition that I enjoy, it’s stress-free, fun, and in this case, turns old Christmas cards into something new and pretty.
Saph @ frugal wife blog says
That is so neat!! I’ll have to try that if I can find some cards. :)
mc says
Great idea. That would also look cool with playing cards from an incomplete deck
Kelly says
I might have to steal that idea! I have tons of old cards saved. I had originally seen the idea to turn them into cute bookmarks. I have also recycled them into cards. But this sounds like a great idea for a gift to send to my and my husband’s grandmas!
Alissa says
What a great idea! And good for you for skipping Christmas… that’s something I would love to do but I’m not sure I’m brave enough. :) At the very least we’re going to have a very scaled-down one. I read this online somewhere and thought it was great. Each person gets 4 gifts: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. Nice and simple. :)
Alissa
Kelly says
Thanks for the reminder Alissa! I couldn’t remember how it went…couldn’t remember the wear part! I think this is perfect and how I am going to shop for my daughter and any future kids…and probably my husband too!
Notes From The Frugal Trenches says
Those look fabulous!
julie says
love those ornaments–might have to try a few…………
gorillabuns says
i do have to say, this year we ARE skipping our traditional Christmas just due to our circumstances.
i so love your idea. i must use this idea to get rid of my hording tendencies!
Kelly says
These are absolutely adorable. What a great way to recycle Christmas cards.
Kaimana Pine says
Very cool! It definitely should be tradition make our holidays a sustainable one. Your effort is very much in line with Kokua Hawaii Foundation and Kanu Hawaii’s campaign to Simplify the Holidays. It is said we produce 25% more trash during the holidays than any other time of the year. http://bit.ly/STHkanu09
Wren C says
Cute idea—a more lasting way to decorate with Christmas cards than just stringing them up on a line with clothespins, which is what I usually do. This year I cut up old saved cards to use for gift tags. More ideas for reusing, recycling X-mas cards and other items for gifts and decorations here: http://trueadventuresinmoneyhacking.blogspot.com/2009/12/give-homemade-wrap-homemade-how-to.html
Judy Ransom says
How adorable! I found another way to recycle Christmas cards – Shimmering Christmas Card Ornaments – http://judyransom.com