What to Do with Old Greeting Cards

We all know the feeling the excitement of receiving a beautifully crafted greeting card, whether it’s for a birthday, a holiday, or some other special occasion.

Those cards often hold sentimental value, reminding us of meaningful moments, sweet messages, and cherished relationships.

But what do you do when the occasion has passed, and your drawer is overflowing with old greeting cards? You don’t want to just toss them out, but keeping them all can feel overwhelming.

The good news is, old greeting cards don’t have to end up in the recycling bin. Instead, you can repurpose them in ways that not only help you declutter but also give the cards a second life.

In this blog post, I’m going to explore creative and sustainable ideas for what to do with those cards, from crafting and upcycling to creating new keepsakes. Let’s dive in and see how you can give your old greeting cards a new purpose.

Why Keep Old Greeting Cards?

If you’re like me, you might have a soft spot for old greeting cards. They remind us of significant life events a wedding, a birthday, or even an achievement that we hold dear.

Whether the messages inside made us smile, cry, or laugh, those cards often carry memories. But they take up space, don’t they?

And let’s be real, not everyone is going to keep stacks of old cards forever. So, instead of feeling guilty about throwing them away, why not give them a new life through creative reuse?

This post will show you multiple ways to repurpose and upcycle your old greeting cards into something functional, beautiful, or meaningful again.

Whether you’re into DIY projects, home décor, or simply looking for a way to get organized, there’s an option here for you.

Repurposing Old Greeting Cards: 5 Creative Ideas

Here are some ideas for transforming your old greeting cards into something fresh and functional. From DIY crafts to eco-friendly projects, the possibilities are endless!

1. Turn Cards into Gift Tags or Bookmarks

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Gather Your Cards: Select the cards that you think have the most visually appealing designs. You can choose ones with bold graphics, pretty patterns, or even heartfelt messages.
2. Cut the Card: Use scissors to cut out sections of the card that feature a design you love. These can be whole pictures or parts of an image.
3. Trim to Size: Depending on the size of the gift tag or bookmark you want to make, trim the pieces of card to your preferred dimensions.
4. Add a Hole for Tying: If you’re making a gift tag, punch a hole at the top of the card so you can tie it with string, ribbon, or twine.
5. Personalize: Write a message, a name, or a special note on the back of the gift tag. If you’re making bookmarks, you can add a quote or an inspirational saying.

Example: I once made a set of bookmarks using cards I had saved from birthdays. I cut out portions of cards with floral designs, then added a favorite quote to each one. Every time I open a book and see that bookmark, it takes me right back to those memories.

This is a simple yet thoughtful way to repurpose old greeting cards while keeping them functional and beautiful.

2. Create Greeting Card Art

Sometimes, the designs on greeting cards are so pretty that they deserve to be displayed on a wall. Rather than leaving them hidden in a drawer, you can frame them to create unique art pieces. It’s a great way to showcase the artwork or the special messages inside.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Select Your Cards: Choose cards with illustrations, patterns, or quotes that you find visually appealing.
2. Cut and Arrange: Trim the cards to fit inside a frame or use pieces of them to create a collage. If you’re going for a minimalist approach, you can even keep parts of the card’s original design as is.
3. Frame the Artwork: Once you’ve arranged the cards to your liking, place them in a frame. You can get creative with your framing style – choose simple frames for a clean look or vintage ones for a more eclectic vibe.
4. Display: Hang the framed greeting card art in your home, whether in your bedroom, living room, or hallway.

Example: I once transformed several colorful holiday cards into a festive art collage. I framed them all together in a long rectangular frame. Now it hangs in my hallway as a reminder of the joy from those holiday seasons.

3. Make a Scrapbook or Memory Book

If you’re sentimental and love to document memories, creating a scrapbook using old greeting cards is a fantastic idea. You can cut out meaningful sections of the cards and add them to your scrapbook along with photos, ticket stubs, and other mementos from the same occasion.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Select Cards: Choose cards that hold special meaning or remind you of important events. You can also use cards that feature interesting designs or illustrations.
2. Cut and Prepare: Trim sections of the cards that contain messages, images, or other features you’d like to preserve.
3. Arrange in Your Scrapbook: Organize the pieces on scrapbook pages. You can place photos alongside the card sections or even write additional notes and reflections about the event.
4. Embellish: Use scrapbooking tools like stickers, ribbons, or stamps to enhance your pages and give them a personal touch.

Example: I made a scrapbook for my best friend’s wedding, and I used the wedding cards to embellish the pages. Each card was paired with photos and a personal story from the day, creating a meaningful keepsake for her.

4. Create DIY Greeting Cards or Postcards

Why not recycle old cards and give them a second life by transforming them into new ones? Whether it’s a thank-you card, birthday greeting, or simple note to a friend, this is an easy way to reuse the cards.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Select Your Cards: Pick cards with designs that can be repurposed into a new greeting card. You can use images or just the messages themselves.
2. Cut and Reshape: Cut the card to the size and shape you want for your new card. You can trim off the old message or leave parts of it for a more personal touch.
3. Add New Details: You can write a fresh greeting, add some decorative embellishments (stickers, stamps, etc.), or even draw on the card to personalize it further.
4. Write Your Message: Once the card is ready, write your new message inside and send it off to the lucky recipient!

Example: After receiving a card from a friend that had a beautiful floral design, I used the flowers to create new cards for other friends. I cut out the flowers, added a fresh “Happy Birthday” message, and reused the rest of the card for a new purpose.

5. Craft Paper Flowers or Other DIY Crafts

Old greeting cards are perfect for creating paper crafts like flowers, garlands, or other home décor items. If you love crafting or are just looking for a fun activity to do with the kids, this is an excellent way to give your cards new life.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Pick Out Colorful Cards: Choose cards with bright colors or interesting patterns that would make beautiful flowers or other craft items.
2. Cut Into Petals: Using a template or freehand, cut the card into petal shapes for flowers, or other shapes depending on the project.
3. Assemble: For flowers, stack the petals on top of each other and glue them together to create a dimensional effect. You can also add buttons, beads, or other embellishments to make your crafts pop.
4. Display or Gift: Use your paper flowers as home décor or as part of a thoughtful gift for someone special.

Example: I once created a paper flower bouquet for my mom’s birthday using old greeting cards. The flowers were colorful and personalized, making the bouquet feel extra special.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Reusing Greeting Cards

While repurposing greeting cards can be fun and fulfilling, there are a few mistakes you’ll want to avoid to make sure your projects turn out as planned.

Overcomplicating the Process: It’s easy to get carried away with adding too many elements to your project. Simplicity often works best. Don’t overwhelm your design with too many embellishments sometimes less is more.

Not Considering the Card’s Material: Some greeting cards are made from thicker materials, which can be tricky to work with. If the card feels too stiff, it may not cut well or may not fold properly. Test out the material before starting your project.

Not Planning Ahead: If you’re working on a large project, such as a scrapbook or a collage, take the time to plan the layout beforehand. This will save you from having to redo sections or waste materials.

Discarding Cards That Can Be Repurposed: Often, we throw away cards just because they don’t seem useful anymore. Instead, take a moment to consider if the card can be transformed into something new.

Conclusion

Instead of letting your old greeting cards collect dust in a drawer, put them to good use by turning them into creative projects.

Whether you’re making gift tags, scrapbook pages, or DIY cards, there’s no shortage of ways to repurpose those sentimental pieces of paper. Plus, you’ll have the added benefit of reducing waste and giving something old a new purpose.

The next time you’re wondering what to do with your old greeting cards, remember that there are endless possibilities. Take the time to craft something beautiful or useful, and you’ll find that the memories they hold will feel even more special.

• Greeting cards can be repurposed into gift tags, art, scrapbook pages, DIY greeting cards, or even paper crafts like flowers.
• Consider the card’s design, material, and sentiment when choosing how to reuse it.
• Avoid overcomplicating your projects, and always plan ahead to ensure the best results.