The boxes and boxes of donated used and unused greeting cards are coming in from everywhere through our Recycling and Reuse Program. They are being sorted between those that go to charities for repurposing and those that will be sent to a recycling company for pulping. The post office is closed today for Presidents Day but tomorrow we’ll be sending out several box loads of great cards to St. Judes Ranch for Children for repurposing.

I have to admit that I enjoy looking through the cards received. All the nice embossing and glittering on some of the beautiful cards make me miss the not so long ago holiday season. It is also fun to see where all the cards are coming from, and I can tell you, they are coming from everywhere! We’re not just talking holiday cards either. We’ve received birthday, sympathy, get well and just about every other category imaginable.

Many took the time to remove the signed or personalized portion of the card before they sent them to us which is quite helpful. Many, however, left that special message from Aunt Mary or the signatures of all the company employees but we make sure those go no further. I think repurposing cards is a great idea. Not just environmentally friendly, they can make lovely gift tags, napkin rings, placemats or any sort of crafty diy project.

We’ve received many boxes that included blank unused envelopes in various sizes and some with personalization printed on them. If you have any suggestions on how envelopes with the flaps removed can be repurposed, let me know as I’d love to share those ideas and send those partial envelopes on to someone who can make use of them. A big thanks to all those who have sent us your unused cards!

As we did last year, CardsDirect is now accepting your unused greeting cards. We sort and send those that can be reused to non-profit organizations that can make use of them. This is a great way to de-clutter your surroundings as well as do something nice that will benefit others and the environment.

We can accept printed and unprinted cards as many charities will take the front of the cards and paste them on blanks or use them for craft projects. Christmas and holiday cards, unused birthday cards and sympathy cards; all are welcome. For those cards that are not in the best of shape or suitable for reuse we will deliver them to an approved recycling center.

If interested, send all your unwanted greeting cards, with or without envelopes, to:

CardsDirect Recycling and Reuse Program
200 Chisholm Place, Suite 220
Plano, TX 75075

Click here for more information on the CardsDirect Recycled and Reuse Program.

And, if you are or know of deserving non-profit organizations that may be interested in these donated cards, let us know.

CardsDirect has donated 4,180 greeting cards in a variety of styles and sizes to the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of the USO.  The collection includes Thank You Cards, Birthday Cards and Holiday Cards, all with envelopes.

The USO (United Service Organizations) will repurpose these cards in their effort to make sure that all 170,000 courageous men and women who are risking their lives every day for us know that they have not been forgotten while they are defending our freedoms.  The USO is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale, welfare and recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform and their families.

CardsDirect has gladly donated over 8,000 greeting cards during this holiday season to charitable organizations in need.  Those represented include For the Troops, The RWJ University Hospital Foundation, Holiday Cards for Heroes, and now the USO.

It is CardDirect’s mission to promote social interaction and networking through the sending and sharing of greeting cards for all occasions and CardsDirect is especially pleased to be able to donate cards that can be put to good use throughout the year by worthy charities.

I just love receiving holiday cards each year but what do you do with them when the decorations come down?

Here are some suggestions:

Recycle.  Cut them up to use them as gift tags or package decorations next year.  Or, donate them to charities that can put them to good use.

Thank You Cards.  Cut the cover off and fold it in half to use as thank you notes for all those Christmas gifts.  Trim to fit envelopes found at office supply stores.

Keepsakes.  Many cards make great keepsakes, especially photo cards.  Make a collage of those saved over the years for a great surprise gift for someone special.

Original Art.  Cut up pieces of cards and paste them together to form a beautiful mosaic masterpiece.

Mailing Lists.  Remember to update your mailing lists, editing changes of address and adding new contacts. 

For more details see the article How to Repurpose Holiday Cards.  With a bit of organization now, you’ll be all set for the holidays next year!

Here is a great idea. When addressing your Holiday Cards this year, add soldiers to your list. With little effort you can make a big difference to those serving our country.

A soldier in Iraq can’t see your ribbon,
Or the flag at your front door.
But a letter they hold in their hands,
To them means so much more.
Supporter Liam Sweeny

Through the organization, Any Soldier, you can actually pick the names and addresses of soldiers serving overseas to send your cards to. Go to www.anysoldier.com for a list of soldier’s names and addresses and information on How to Send and Where to Send your cards. Letters are the most requested items and can be sent with a regular first class stamp. As the site warns, it may be addictive.

You may want to consider ordering bulk quantities of personalized Patriotic Holiday Cards from CardsDirect for sending to soldiers. CardsDirect will donate a portion of proceeds on three of these card designs to the organization For The Troops. The three designs were especially selected by Brooke Burke, winner of Dancing with the Stars when she partnered with CardsDirect on a recent holiday card drive for troops overseas. Any holiday card you select is sure to be welcomed by Any Soldier.

As you enjoy the festivities with your families and friends this holiday season, remember those serving overseas defending our freedom. By sending holiday cards you are touching their lives while bringing a sense of pride to yours.