Skip to Content

15+ Christmas card upcycling projects

Sharing is caring!

It’s the new year! Like most people, I love January as a time to declutter, organize, and freshen things up. I hate just recycling Christmas Cards – in the past I have made simple laminated gift tags. This year I wanted to brainstorm some new ideas, and love the creative Christmas card upcycling projects I found!

If you’re not crafty or don’t have time, don’t forget you can donate to the Recycled Card Program at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. They reuse the cards as a fundraiser – less trash & charity fundraising is a win-win in my book

Check out these other posts while you’re here!

I’d love if you pinned the collage with this link, but if you’re pinning individual images please click through to the original site first. If there isn’t a picture, that means I didn’t hear back from the owner about using it so you’ll have to jump over and see it on their blog!

Don't throw away all those beautiful Christmas cards, upcycle them! See 10 creative ways to reuse Christmas cards for crafts. #christmascrafts #christmascards #christmascardupcycle

Ways to upcycle old Christmas cards

upcycled christmas cards from old christmas cards

The easiest thing to do is to turn them into new Christmas cards or thank you cards! You can chop them up and glue them on to blank notecards or use scrapbook paper to create a new inside or a new card back.

upcycled christmas tag from old christmas cards

Turn them into gift tags – see a full tutorial here! I used my laminator on these, and then you can write on them year after year; I’ve also made reusable fabric gift tags with a free template you can download, that would work for paper as well.

Christmas Sweater Ornaments

 Christmas Sweater Gift Tags from Zakka Life – how cute are these!

I love the dimension on this idea, an upcycled sardine can ornament using old Christmas cards for the embellishments! Tutorial at Pillar Box Blue.

Mason Jar Topper

Mason Jar Toppers from Family Feedbag – Perfect for gifting jam next year.

Upcycled Christmas Card Gift Box

Upcycled Gift Box from CraftyPod – A gift card would fit wonderfully in there! Her blog has shut down, but you could use this tutorial for the same effect.

upcycled christmas card magnet

I love these so much; see how to add old card cut-outs to log slices for festive magnets, over at Mod Podge Rocks.

Christmas Card Luminary

Card Luminary from Zakka Life – their tutorial appears to have gone missing, but you can get the gist from this post.

Two ideas in one; an upcycled gem ornament and the cutest present toppers, all made from old cards over at Brit+Co.

Upcycled Notebook Tutorial

Upcycled Paper Notebooks from Pearls & Scissors – I think these would be so cute with a Christmas card cover! Her blog has shut down but you could use this tutorial.

Clear Magnet DIY

Clear Magnets from Ingenious Inkling – fun stocking stuffer for next year.

Upcycled Card Bunting

Upcycled Card Bunting from Maker*land – perfect cheap decor item!

Upcycled Christmas Cards

Geometric Abstract Cards from Do Small Things With Love – These are beautiful!!

Frame the pretty Christmas cards, with this tutorial at Southern Couture

Another upcycled Christmas card bunting, at Average But Inspired

Not pictured:

Check out all my Christmas craft ideas here!

Sharing is caring!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sibia

Saturday 27th of November 2021

So many great ideas! I’m so glad I have saved a few

Annita Cormack

Tuesday 31st of December 2019

Great uses for recycling cards. Always enjoy the projects that you post. Thanks.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Tuesday 7th of January 2020

Thanks Annita, that is so kind of you to say!

Cathy H

Wednesday 4th of January 2017

I just purchased a hexagon punch to make english paper piecing hexies from the cards which is the perfect weight.

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Thursday 12th of January 2017

what a perfect upcycling idea!

Amy @ Family Feedbag

Tuesday 13th of January 2015

What a fun list! Thanks for including my jar toppers. - Amy @ Family Feedbag

Amy Mayen

Thursday 1st of January 2015

Great ideas Stephanie! I love reusing cards :)

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!