Free Craft Ideas using Junk Mail and Recycled Cards

Free Craft Ideas using Junk Mail and Recycled Cards

Check out these awesome Christmas craft ideas that reuse junk mail and recycled holiday cards.  I usually despise junk mail.  It just fills up my mail box, and the marketers seem to really go after me at Christmas!  Our mailbox is so stuff full of catalogs and offers to buy things that our recycle bin is overflowing weekly.  I am also a bit of a pack rat.  When someone takes the time to send me a Christmas card, I feel guilty for throwing it away.  However, I don’t know what to do with all the cards from over the years and artistic creativity is one of the things I lack.  I was very excited when I discovered the Party Planning Center Blog.  They have all kinds of great free printables, recipes, party ideas and resources.

She also had the answers to my dilemma.

I am intrigued by these adorable homemade Christmas ornaments made from junk mail.  What an inexpensive way to decorate for the holidays.  She has the complete tutorial on her site.  You just need your favorite craft punch or scissors and a steady hand, some ribbon and your chosen embellishments and you are ready to go.  Just follow the tutorial linked on this page.

I also am in love with this Christmas Garland made from last year’s Christmas cards.  I really like tinsel garland, but I have cats and they like to eat it.  Tinsel is extremely dangerous for pets, so I prefer not to use it.  I love her idea to use Christmas cards from previous years to make a garland.  I don’t like to throw them away because they represent thought someone had for our family.  What a great way to preserve those memories!  It also seems like a great way to make some new memories!  Both of these crafts seem pretty easy and I look forward to making them with my kids.  It’s better for the environment, it’s cheaper than buying new ornaments and it adds a personal touch.  You can find the easy to follow tutorial for the Christmas garland made from old cards is linked on this page.

Also, if you subscribe to her newsletter, you can get the pattern to make these beautiful Winter Butterfly Cupcake toppers.  Just in case you can’t tell by my website’s theme, I have a thing for butterflies 🙂  She also occasionally sends out other free printable crafts and party decorations in her newsletter, so it’s definitely worth subscribing to.