What to do with greeting cards after the occasion has passed.

What to do with greeting cards after the occasion has passed.

Greeting cards can hold sentimental value, often serving as reminders of special moments or heartfelt wishes from the people who care about us.  While we cherish these cards for a time, they will often end up tucked away in a drawer or, thrown out once the occasion has passed.  However, here at Wyld Cards we think greeting cards can be more than just a momentary symbol of gratefulness. With a little creativity, they can be repurposed and transformed into something new and meaningful.  Here are some imaginative ways to breathe new life into greeting cards after their intended occasion has passed.

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1. Scrapbook

A popular way to repurpose a greeting card is by adding them into a scrapbook.  Believe me, as you get older these precious memories can often become a blur, and a little reminder can always come in useful.  Whether you’re documenting a specific event, like a wedding, a birthday, Christmas, an anniversary, greeting cards can add such a personal touch to your pages. You can use the entire card or cut out meaningful sections, like a handwritten message, the illustrations, or a decorative element, to emphasise your scrapbook’s theme.

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2. Gift Tags and Bookmarks

Greeting cards are often created with a beautiful piece of artwork a design, personalised photos or with something on it that has a fun unique meaning for you.  Making them perfect for crafting unique gift tags and bookmarks. You can just cut out small sections of the card, punch a hole in the top, and add a ribbon or string to create a personalized gift tags for your next gift.  Similarly, you can cut the cards into a rectangular shape or something more fun and laminate them to make them a bit sturdier, offering a one-of-a-kind bookmark.

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3. Frames

If you receive a greeting card with particularly stunning artwork or a design that resonates with you, or holds sentimental value, consider framing it.  A well-placed frame can turn any card into a piece of art, perfect for displaying on your wall or shelf.

4. Date night cards

If you are particularly crafty and feeling particularly romantic and have a collection of greeting cards that have been passed to and from you and your loved one.  You could cut them into small piece of cards and write a date night suggestion on the other side.  Add them to a small box, add a bit of ribbon and what a lush, thoughtful present!  Not only some great personal memories from the greeting card but also a romantic date night suggestion to look forward to!

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5. Add your cards to a piece of furniture

A personal favourite of mine!  I upcycled a lovely dressing table, but I didn’t like the top of it, so I ordered a clear Perspex’s to fit on the top and added all my greeting cards underneath it.  So, every morning as I get ready the messages, cards and pictures bring a big smile to my face and can also work as a good daily gratitude practice.  You can also apply the same idea to other pieces of furniture for example, a coffee table sometimes has glass at the top where to can add your greeting cards underneath the glass.  

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6. Turn Them into New Cards

For those art and craft lovers, you can always recycle your old greeting cards by turning them into new ones.  You can cut out and reuse the front cover or decorative elements of the card to create a fresh new design.  A thoughtful little mood board on a new card for a family, friend or loved one.  Combine pieces from multiple cards and write a new message inside to give someone else a unique, handcrafted card.

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7. Postcards

Some greeting cards, particularly those with strong, thick paper, can be easily converted into postcards. Simply cut the card to the appropriate size, write your message on the blank side, and address it like a traditional postcard. This is a fun and eco-friendly way to reuse cards and send a little love through the mail.

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In conclusion, I hope Wyld Cards have given you a few ideas, greeting cards are more than just a way to convey good wishes.  They’re also a source of creativity and inspiration long after the occasion has passed. By repurposing them you can extend the life of these sentimental items and reduce waste. So, before you toss that card aside, consider how you might give it a second life and keep the good vibes going.