Turn Christmas Scraps Into DIY Greeting Cards for Any Occasion

Don’t just throw your leftover Christmas scraps in the waste bin after the holidays. Get crafty and turn them into DIY greeting cards that you can give to family and friends all year long.

finished DIY greeting card

Text tip

If you’re going to be using text, be sure to print the text backwards so that the outlines are hidden on the inside of the card. After gluing the insert into place, glue the inside shapes of the letters back into place to give it a finished look.

Photo by: Karen Kavett

Karen Kavett

After the holidays, we all end up with extra little bits of wrapping paper, fabric and generic cards. Generally, those leftovers have reserved seats on a first-class flight to the trash can — but not this year. HGTV Handmade’s Karen Kavett shares an easy way to turn Christmas scraps into DIY greeting cards to give all year long.

Recycled Christmas Paper Collage Cards
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Materials + Supplies

  • ruler
  • Christmas scraps
  • glue stick
  • scissors

Gather Supplies and Print Your Pattern

Gather all of your Christmas scraps to cut up; print the pattern onto card stock (Image 1 + 2). You could also draw your own design of any shape you want to make.

Cut Out the Shape

Cut the paper in half to get a card template where the design will fold onto the inside of the card. Cut out that design (Image 1 + 2) and fold the card in half (Image 3).

Cut the Backing

Cut a piece of card stock that is slightly smaller than the card.

Insert for DIY Greeting Card

Cut insert

Cut a piece of cardstock that is slightly smaller than the card.

Photo by: Karen Kavett

Karen Kavett

Cut Out and Glue Strips

Cut your old cards and wrapping paper into strips of varying widths (Image 1). Use a glue stick to glue them onto the backing from the previous step (Image 2 + 3). Trim the excess (Image 4 + 5).

Glue On the Backing

Glue the backing to the inside of the card (Image 1 + 2). Optionally, press it under a stack of books while the glue dries.

And There You Have It!

Once dry, write your message inside and get ready to give it away. You now have a cute, DIY greeting card made directly from your Christmas scraps.

Try Other Designs

You can experiment with other shapes and colors to make any designs you can think of.

Tips for Using Letters on Your DIY Greeting Cards

If you’re going to be using text, be sure to print the text backwards so that the outlines are hidden on the inside of the card. After gluing the backing into place, glue the inside shapes of the letters back into place to give it a finished look.

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