How to Recycle Christmas Cards to Make Ornaments

Do you have an ever-growing collection of Christmas cards? I can’t bring myself to throw them away. Sound familiar? Here is an easy way to recycle those pretty cards and make Christmas ornaments you can be proud to hang on your tree.

There’s a link to wooden birdhouses below, but it’s easy to find these at your local craft store in a variety of styles.

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For this Recycle Christmas Cards Project, You’ll Need:

Acrylic Craft Paint
Wooden bird houses
Paintbrush
Tracing Paper
Sharp scissors
Paper Cutter
Old Christmas cards
Tacky Glue
1/8 – inch hole punch
1/4 – inch hole punch
Clear glitter

Directions:

First, paint a base coat with acrylic paint, covering the birdhouse.

Use tracing paper to make templates.

Crease the edges and cut along the crease.

Next, cut a piece of tracing paper to lay over the front of the birdhouse. Use sharp scissors to cut an X where the wooden dowel perches are. Press the paper down around the perch. Then use a pencil to trace the openings and the front of the birdhouse.

Cut out the template. Next, place the template on a Christmas card and strategically position it so that the elements you want to be visible will be. Use a pencil to trace around the outer edges. Wait to trace the opening on the backside.

Use a paper cutter to cut the outer edges.

Flip the cut-out over to the backside. Line the template up on the cut-out and trace the opening onto the card. Use the opening to make a mark where the middle of the dowel should be.

Then, use a 1/8 – inch hole punch to create a small hole in your mark.

Use tracing paper to create templates for the roof and sides of the birdhouse, too. Be sure to label the sides because these are not completely square. Write the left side and right side on the front of the template. Then, use the templates to cut out Christmas cards to cover them, too.

Dab glue onto the back side of each of the cut pieces and press onto the front, back, and sides of the birdhouse.

Dab glue onto the card piece and apply to the wooden birdhouse.

Press the card onto the birdhouse.

Dab glue onto the back side

Press the card onto the side of the birdhouse.

The Roof

Apply glue to the underside of the roof piece. Thread the loop through the punched hole. Press the roof in place.

Thread the loop through the punched hole.

Apply glue to the back of the roof piece and thread the loop thru the punched hole.

Decorative Elements

Decorative elements can be cut and used for decorating the front and the base. Look through your cards and see what you have.

Make Ornaments — Cut the decorative edge from another card.

As I was looking through the Christmas cards, I noticed a metallic gold stamped border on one of the cards. Trimmed and glued to the edge of the roof, it adds a little flair.

Add a Little Sparkle to the Christmas Ornament

Recycled Christmas Card Ornament

At this point, you may want to add some sparkle. Clear glitter is perfect for adding an elegant touch of sparkly snow. Use Tacky Glue, Elmer’s glue, or Mod Podge to add as much or as little as you like. I used a tiny brush to add glue and glitter to the snow on the cards.

Don’t you love the nostalgic look of the Currier and Ives Christmas cards? By using a completely different style of Christmas cards featuring animals, we have a completely different look. Imagine all the different looks you can create!

Recycle Christmas Cards Birdhouse Ornament

Back of Birdhouse Christmas Ornament

You may want to add tiny trees, pinecones, or other tiny decorative elements. I’m keeping these simple.

More Craft Ideas to Recycle Christmas Cards

There are so many ways to upcycle old Christmas cards. Click the links below to find a few more.