All of those Christmas and holiday cards you received this season are much too nice to just toss after the holidays so here are some more ideas for repurposing them.

Ornaments.  Cut your lovely cards into ornament shapes.  Glue back to back and punch a hole in the top for ribbon and turn your cards into ornaments for next year.

Holiday candles.  Shop the after Christmas sales and turn generic candles into holiday ones by gluing scenes cut from holiday cards onto them.

Table decorations.  Recycle your holiday cards by cutting them into strips for disposable napkin rings or laminate a collection of cards for fun placemats.

Simple boxes.  Cut and fold greeting cards to make tiny gift boxes. 

I’m sure the possibilities are endless so let us know how you repurpose your cards and we’ll share your tips here!

Our final selection in the “Design of the Week” series is a tranquil sympathy card.  Printed on 100% recycled brown Kraft card stock, a simple floral design decorates this lovely greeting that sends Our Deepest Sympathy in style.

The Design of the Week series features selected recycled cards in a variety of categories during the holiday season.  Each can be seen by typing Design of the Week in the search box on the website.  A CardsDirect exclusive, the weekly winner wears a green sash.

As with all cards from CardsDirect, your custom imprinted verse and personalization is included and each card comes with a matching envelope.

Order cards for all occasions now so that you will have just the right card on hand for use at a moments notice.  An attractive and personalized greeting shows that you are a professional that cares about your clients, business associates, friends and family.  We know you will especially enjoy these design of the week exclusives that are guaranteed to be in stock.

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!

The White House Christmas card for this year has been sent! The card is a painting of a scene from the Truman Balcony of the White House decorated for Christmas. The Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial can be seen in the distance.

Inside the card is a Scripture from Matthew 5:16 that says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” May your heart and home be filled with the joys of the holiday season.

T. Allen Lawson is the artist from Maine that was chosen by Laura Bush to paint the card. Hallmark Cards, Inc. was chosen to produce the card for the eighth year in a row. Printed on recycled paper, the image is a tip-on and an embossed gold foil presidential seal is included on the insert page.

The cards are mailed to the friends and families of President and Mrs. Bush and to foreign dignitaries. Check your mailbox to see if you’re on the list!

Anytime is a good time to send a greeting card to brighten someone’s day and this Thinking of You card is this weeks “Design of the Week”. Printed on 100% recycled brown Kraft card stock, the design features a flowering vine of green and blue flowers for a soft and gentle expression of caring.

CardsDirect selects an exclusive Design of the Week printed on recycled card stock throughout the holiday season to feature and wear the special winning sash. An attractive design, each card also includes your custom imprinted verse and personalization, all on earth friendly card stock.

Check back next Monday to see which design will wear the coveted Design of the Week sash and type Design of the Week in the search box on the website to see all of the past selected winners.