Recycled Christmas Card Crafts

Made from recycled holiday cards and construction paper, and filled with treats, a cone-shaped package will impress loved ones.

To create, draw an arc onto a corner of construction paper or card using a compass opened up as wide as it can go. Using a pair of pinking shears, cut inside the line. Roll the paper into a cone and staple; reinforce with tape along the inside seam. To decorate a plain paper cone, draw an oval (we used a stencil from an art-supply store) around a chosen image from a greeting card, and cut just inside the line with pinking shears. Glue the cutout to the front of the cone. Punch a hole on both sides of the cone, thread a ribbon through, and knot the ends.

Glue designs snipped from holiday cards to store-bought or handmade gift tags and add charm to every package. Or cut the cards themselves into tags and punch a hole for ribbon (press on a sticker first to reinforce the hole).

Make a festive gift bag by gluing greeting card cutouts onto a colorful paper bag. Cut the top of the bag with scallop-edged scissors Then punch one or two holes and tie on a ribbon.

Use your favorite holiday cards of the past to give cardboard boxes a cheery makeover.

Place the lid on top of a card. Using a ruler, draw an outline that's about 1/4 inch outside the lid. Cut just inside the line with a pair of pinking shears. Use a glue stick to attach the cutout to the lid; the card will extend over the box's edges (be sure it's centered over the lid before pressing down). Repeat to cover the bottom of the box.

Holiday cards make perfect tree decorations: dazzling and delicate yet impossible to break. In a few steps, turn cards into darling globes that lock together, ready to twirl.

Fill the house with holiday cheer by hanging holiday card cutouts from branches in a vase.

Cut recycled holiday cards into small rectangles and punch a hole in one end. For the blank side, invite guests and family to write notes of thanks and hope. Hang on fallen branches displayed in a vase.