What to Do With Old Christmas Cards: 25+ Creative Ideas
Christmas cards are wonderful to receive, but after the holidays are over, you may find yourself with a growing stack of cards and no idea what to do with them.
Throwing them away can feel wasteful, especially when they contain beautiful artwork, personal messages, photographs, or memories from people you care about.
So, what can you do with old Christmas cards?
You have plenty of options.
You can save them, turn them into gift tags, make decorations, create crafts, use them for future cards, donate them, or recycle them when you no longer want to keep them.
Some old Christmas cards can even become meaningful keepsakes.
Here are more than 25 ideas for what to do with old Christmas cards.
1. Save Your Favorite Christmas Cards
The simplest option is to keep the cards that mean the most to you.
You don't need to keep every Christmas card you've ever received. Instead, choose the ones that have sentimental value.
You might want to save cards from:
Close family members
Best friends
Grandparents
Children
Important milestones
Special Christmases
People who have passed away
Particularly meaningful occasions
Put them in a box or storage container and bring them out during the holidays.
Over time, they can become a small collection of memories from different years.
2. Make a Christmas Card Memory Box
Instead of keeping old cards in a random drawer, create a dedicated Christmas card memory box.
You can organize the cards by year or family member.
For example:
Christmas Cards — 2024
Christmas Cards — 2025
Christmas Cards — 2026
You can also add other small Christmas memories, such as photographs, children's drawings, or handwritten notes.
A memory box can become something your family enjoys looking through every Christmas.
3. Turn Old Christmas Cards Into Gift Tags
One of the easiest ways to reuse old Christmas cards is to turn them into gift tags.
Cut out attractive parts of the card, such as:
Christmas trees
Snowflakes
Santa
Stars
Ornaments
Animals
Decorative lettering
Then punch a small hole near the top and attach string or ribbon.
You now have a reusable-looking gift tag without needing to buy new ones.
The best cards for this project are those with attractive designs on the front and no important writing across the area you want to cut.
4. Make Christmas Ornaments
Old Christmas cards can be turned into homemade Christmas decorations.
Cut the cards into shapes such as:
Stars
Circles
Christmas trees
Snowflakes
Hearts
Bells
Add ribbon or string and hang them on your Christmas tree.
You can also layer several pieces of card to create a thicker ornament.
This is an especially fun Christmas craft for children.
5. Create a Christmas Card Garland
Turn your old Christmas cards into a festive garland.
One simple method is to:
Choose several cards with attractive designs.
Cut them into similar shapes or leave them whole.
Punch holes in the cards.
Thread string or ribbon through them.
Hang the finished garland.
You can create a long garland for a mantel, wall, staircase, or Christmas tree.
6. Make New Christmas Cards
Old Christmas cards can provide materials for making new ones.
Cut out interesting images, patterns, or pieces of decorative paper and attach them to blank cardstock.
For example, you could combine:
A Christmas tree from one card
A snowflake from another
A greeting from a third
Then create an entirely new handmade Christmas card.
This is a creative way to give old cards another life.
7. Make Christmas Postcards
If the front of an old card is thick enough and has a suitable design, you may be able to turn it into a postcard-style greeting.
Cut the card down to an appropriate size and use the blank side for your message.
This can work particularly well with cards that have beautiful artwork on the front and little or no important information on the back.
8. Create a Christmas Collage
If you have accumulated many old Christmas cards, make a collage.
Cut out interesting images and arrange them on a large sheet of paper or canvas.
You could create a themed collage using:
Christmas trees
Snowmen
Santa Claus
Stars
Snowflakes
Holiday greetings
Festive patterns
Frame the finished collage and use it as Christmas artwork every year.
9. Make Homemade Christmas Decorations
Old cards can be transformed into many different Christmas decorations.
Try cutting them into:
Bunting
Paper chains
Stars
Snowflakes
Trees
Wreath shapes
Hanging decorations
You can also combine several cards to create three-dimensional decorations.
10. Make a Christmas Wreath
A Christmas wreath made from old cards can be a fun recycling project.
Cut the cards into leaves, stars, circles, or other Christmas shapes and arrange them around a cardboard or paper base.
Add ribbon or other decorations if desired.
The finished wreath can be hung on an interior door or wall.
11. Use Old Cards for Scrapbooking
If you enjoy scrapbooking, old Christmas cards can be useful decorative materials.
You can use pieces of cards to decorate pages about:
Christmas celebrations
Family gatherings
Holiday vacations
Children's Christmases
Special family traditions
You can also save handwritten messages alongside photographs to preserve the memories associated with them.
12. Make Christmas Gift Boxes
Old greeting cards can sometimes be turned into small gift boxes.
The sturdy cardstock provides a useful base for a small box.
These boxes can be used for:
Jewelry
Candy
Small toys
Gift cards
Homemade treats
This is another good way to reuse cards that would otherwise be discarded.
13. Create Bookmarks
Cut a beautiful section of an old Christmas card into a narrow rectangle.
Add a hole at the top and attach ribbon or decorative string.
You now have a simple Christmas bookmark.
You can make several at once and give them to friends or family members.
14. Make Christmas Coasters
Old cards can also become decorative coasters.
Cut them into squares or circles and cover them with a suitable protective finish.
You can create a coordinated set using cards with similar colors or designs.
This is particularly useful for cards printed on thick, sturdy paper.
15. Make Christmas Magnets
Cut out a small image from an old card and attach it to a small magnet backing.
Christmas trees, snowmen, stars, and other simple images work particularly well.
These can become inexpensive seasonal decorations for your refrigerator or magnetic board.
16. Use Them as Labels
Old Christmas cards can be cut into small pieces and used as labels for Christmas storage boxes.
For example:
Christmas Decorations
Christmas Lights
Gift Wrapping
Ornaments
This gives your storage boxes a festive touch while reusing materials you already have.
17. Make a Christmas Puzzle
If you have a card with a particularly beautiful illustration, turn it into a simple homemade puzzle.
Glue the card to a piece of sturdy cardboard and cut it into different shapes.
For children, use larger, simpler pieces.
For older children or adults, make smaller and more challenging pieces.
18. Use Cards for Children's Crafts
Old Christmas cards are excellent materials for children's craft projects.
Children can cut out shapes and use them to create:
Christmas pictures
Collages
Homemade decorations
Gift tags
Puppets
Christmas scenes
Greeting cards
It is an inexpensive way to provide craft materials while teaching children about reusing things rather than immediately throwing them away.
19. Make a Christmas Countdown
Use old Christmas cards to create a homemade countdown to Christmas.
Cut cards into numbered pieces from 1 to 24 or 25 and attach them to a wall, string, or board.
You can combine the numbers with Christmas illustrations from the cards.
This can become a yearly family tradition.
20. Frame a Particularly Beautiful Card
Some Christmas cards are beautiful enough to be displayed as artwork.
If you have a card with an illustration you particularly love, put it in a small frame.
You can display it every Christmas instead of keeping it hidden in a box.
This works especially well with vintage-style cards or artwork from independent designers.
21. Create a Christmas Card Album
Instead of keeping cards loose, put them into an album.
You can use photo albums, scrapbook albums, or another type of archival storage.
Organize them chronologically so you can look back at different Christmases.
You could even write the year beside each card.
22. Reuse the Envelopes
If you have old Christmas card envelopes that are still clean and in good condition, you may be able to reuse them for crafts.
They can be used for:
Small notes
Gift tags
Scrapbooking
Children's crafts
Paper projects
For mailing important correspondence, however, it is better to use a fresh envelope rather than one that has already been marked or addressed.
23. Donate Old Christmas Cards for Crafts
If you have more cards than you can realistically reuse, consider donating them to a group that uses paper for crafts.
Potential recipients may include:
Schools
Community centers
Art groups
Children's programs
Craft clubs
Contact the organization first to make sure they accept used cards.
24. Donate Cards to Organizations That Reuse Them
Some organizations and community groups may accept old greeting cards for craft or fundraising projects.
One well-known example historically involved organizations collecting used greeting cards for reuse, although programs and acceptance policies can change over time.
Always check current requirements before sending a large quantity.
25. Recycle Old Christmas Cards
When a Christmas card has no sentimental value and you don't want to reuse it, recycling may be an option.
Many ordinary paper Christmas cards can be recycled.
However, not every card belongs in the paper recycling bin.
Cards may contain materials such as:
Glitter
Plastic
Foil
Batteries
Electronics
Fabric
Ribbons
Heavy embellishments
These materials can affect whether a card is recyclable through your local recycling system.
When in doubt, check your local recycling guidelines.
Can You Recycle Christmas Cards?
Many traditional paper Christmas cards can be recycled, but it depends on their materials and your local recycling rules.
A simple paper card without special decorations is generally easier to recycle than one containing glitter, plastic, foil, or electronic components.
Before recycling, remove anything that your local recycling program does not accept.
For example, you may be able to remove:
Ribbons
Bows
Plastic decorations
Batteries
Non-paper embellishments
If the card contains glitter or materials that cannot be separated, check your local recycling guidance rather than assuming it belongs in the paper bin.
Can You Reuse Christmas Cards With Writing Inside?
Yes.
You can still reuse a Christmas card even if someone has written a message inside.
For sentimental cards, consider keeping the entire card.
For craft projects, you can cut around the handwritten section and use the artwork.
However, if the message is personal or contains someone's private information, think carefully before donating or passing the card on.
What Should You Do With Christmas Cards From Someone Who Has Passed Away?
Cards from someone who has passed away can have significant sentimental value.
There is no reason to throw them away simply because the holiday has ended.
You might:
Keep them in a memory box.
Put them in an album.
Frame one.
Store them with photographs.
Create a dedicated keepsake collection.
You do not have to keep every card.
Choose the ones that hold the strongest memories for you.
What Should You Do With Old Christmas Cards From Children?
Children's Christmas cards and artwork can be particularly meaningful.
Instead of keeping everything indefinitely, choose a few favorites each year.
You can:
Create a yearly album.
Photograph the cards before recycling them.
Turn them into ornaments.
Make a family collage.
Save especially meaningful cards in a memory box.
This allows you to preserve the memories without accumulating endless boxes of paper.
How to Organize Old Christmas Cards
If you have accumulated a large collection, organization can make them much easier to manage.
Try this system:
Step 1: Gather all your cards
Bring together cards stored in different drawers, boxes, and rooms.
Step 2: Sort them
Create three groups:
Keep
Cards with sentimental value.
Reuse
Cards that can become craft materials.
Recycle
Cards you no longer want and that are suitable for recycling.
Step 3: Organize the cards you keep
Sort them by year, family, or occasion.
Step 4: Store them safely
Use a dry storage box or album and keep them somewhere protected from moisture.
How to Decide Which Christmas Cards to Keep
If you have too many cards, ask yourself:
Does this card have sentimental value?
Who sent it?
Does it remind me of a special moment?
Is there a handwritten message?
Would I want to look at it again?
Is it particularly beautiful or unusual?
Would a family member appreciate keeping it?
If the answer is no to all of these questions, you probably don't need to keep it.
What About Old Christmas Cards With Glitter?
Glitter can make recycling more complicated.
If your local recycling program does not accept glitter-covered paper, do not put those cards into the recycling bin simply because they are made primarily from paper.
Instead, check your local recycling guidance or reuse the card for a craft project.
Glitter cards can be particularly useful for homemade decorations.
What About Musical Christmas Cards?
Musical Christmas cards can contain electronic components or batteries.
Do not automatically put them into ordinary paper recycling.
If possible, remove the electronic components and battery according to your local waste disposal guidance.
If you are unsure, check with your local recycling or household waste service.
What About Christmas Cards With Photos?
Photo Christmas cards can be especially difficult to throw away because they often contain family photographs.
You can:
Keep your favorites.
Cut out the photographs and save them.
Put them into a scrapbook.
Create a photo collage.
Store them in a memory box.
If you no longer want the card but want to preserve the photograph, separate the photo from the rest of the card when practical.
A Simple Three-Option System
If you're overwhelmed by a large pile of old Christmas cards, use this simple rule:
Keep
Save cards that have sentimental or personal value.
Reuse
Turn cards with attractive designs into decorations, gift tags, crafts, or new cards.
Recycle
Recycle ordinary paper cards that you no longer want, provided your local recycling program accepts them.
This prevents you from keeping everything while also avoiding unnecessary waste.
10 Quick Ideas for Old Christmas Cards
If you want the shortest possible list, try these:
Save your favorites.
Make gift tags.
Create Christmas ornaments.
Make a garland.
Create a collage.
Make bookmarks.
Use them for scrapbooking.
Turn them into decorations.
Donate them for crafts.
Recycle them if appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with old Christmas cards?
You can save, reuse, repurpose, donate, or recycle old Christmas cards. Popular projects include gift tags, ornaments, garlands, collages, bookmarks, decorations, and scrapbooks.
Can old Christmas cards be recycled?
Many ordinary paper Christmas cards can be recycled, but cards containing glitter, foil, plastic, batteries, electronics, or other materials may require different disposal. Check your local recycling rules.
Should I throw away old Christmas cards?
Not necessarily. Keep cards that have sentimental value and reuse or recycle cards you no longer need when possible.
How can I reuse old Christmas cards?
You can turn them into gift tags, ornaments, bookmarks, decorations, new cards, collages, garlands, gift boxes, or scrapbook materials.
Can I turn old Christmas cards into gift tags?
Yes. Cut out an attractive part of the card, punch a hole near the top, and add string or ribbon.
What can I do with old Christmas cards from family?
Keep meaningful cards in a memory box or album, especially those with handwritten messages, photographs, or sentimental value.
Can I donate old Christmas cards?
Some schools, craft groups, community organizations, and other programs may accept old cards for craft projects. Check with the organization before donating.
What should I do with old Christmas cards with glitter?
Check your local recycling rules. If glitter-covered cards are not accepted, consider reusing them for crafts instead.
What should I do with old Christmas cards with photos?
Save the photographs, put the cards in a scrapbook or memory box, or create a photo collage.
How long should I keep Christmas cards?
There is no required amount of time. Keep them for as long as they have personal or sentimental value. You can periodically sort your collection and recycle or reuse cards you no longer want.
Final Thoughts
Wondering what to do with old Christmas cards does not have to end with throwing them in the trash.
Your favorite cards can become keepsakes. Beautiful designs can become gift tags, ornaments, decorations, or new handmade cards. Children's cards can become part of a family scrapbook. And cards you no longer want may be recyclable, depending on their materials and your local recycling rules.
A simple approach is to divide your collection into three groups:
Keep the meaningful ones.
Reuse the beautiful ones.
Recycle the rest when appropriate.
That way, the memories stay with you while the cards that have served their purpose can find a new life.
Related Christmas Card Ideas
You may also want to explore:
What to put inside a Christmas card
What to write in a Christmas card
How to end a Christmas card
How to sign a Christmas card
Where to buy Christmas cards
When to mail Christmas cards
How to send Christmas cards
How to address Christmas cards
How to display Christmas cards
How to make homemade Christmas cards
DIY Christmas card ideas