After Christmas Recycle/Budget Idea!

[DisneyFan620]

Hi everyone! Just wanted to share a quickie tip that I do after Christmas to save money for next year.

You know all of those holiday cards that you get? I cut out the shapes/pictures on the front and make gift tags out of them to use next year! Let's say you have a card with a snowman- I cut around the snowman, throw him in a ziplock bag, and he's ready to go to have a hole punched in him, ribbon threaded through, and names written on the back. Everyone thinks they're so cute and they're FREE gift tags!

 

[NaplesRI]

Let me second this! I started doing this last year and it works out great.

I even used DIL card as her gift tag and she recognized it and was thrilled.
It's an easy recycle use.

(we stopped sending cards this year and went to an electronic card for everyone we know who uses a computer. We made a fun Jobjab card with our pictures on it and it was a real hit. We used extra funds we saved to "adopt" another child at church)

 

[timzagain]

Hi everyone! Just wanted to share a quickie tip that I do after Christmas to save money for next year.

You know all of those holiday cards that you get? I cut out the shapes/pictures on the front and make gift tags out of them to use next year! Let's say you have a card with a snowman- I cut around the snowman, throw him in a ziplock bag, and he's ready to go to have a hole punched in him, ribbon threaded through, and names written on the back. Everyone thinks they're so cute and they're FREE gift tags!

I used to do this for years. The problem is that now that we are receiving more e-cards and fewer "real" cards - my source of free tags pretty much dried up! I do save scraps of card (I teach craft), craft foam etc to make tags - dress up with glitter, ribbon, scraps of felt and I can get some nice handmade tags for next to nothing. A bit more work - but it's a fun project that youngest DD and I enjoy doing together.

Other Christmas recycling ideas

• Save the gift bags for reuse. There are gift bags in my stash that have been around so long that they're considered a part of the family. I seize the bags as soon as the gift is opened, before the children have a chance to destroy them. When I do buy gift bags, I stick to red, silver, gold, green, blue bags without seasonal designs so that they can be used for birthdays and other occasions
• Save gift boxes - if they're decorative, you won't need wrapping paper at all! To facilitate recycling of boxes and bags, I stay away from adhesive gift tags which will damage the box/ bag when you try to remove them. A tie-on tag is much better
• Save used gift wrap in good condition, especially the big pieces - you can use it to wrap smaller gifts next year. You can also cut out the designs and stick to card stock to make tags too!

Not only is recycling good for the environment, it's great for the wallet too.