We’re huge fans of holiday cards around here.
Actually, we’re huge fans of all types of cards. We love to use them for cutting practice, arts and crafts, and even Valentines cards.
But the cards that my kiddos seem to look forward to most are the cards with pictures of our friends’ and family members’ funny faces on them. During December, Maddy, Owen, and Cora race to the mailbox every single day, and then they race to see who can open the white envelopes first, and then they race to see if they can identify the sender.
It’s fun. And we are grateful for every single card we receive, for every friend and family member we have.
We put each one on our big white pantry in the kitchen and look at them each time we walk by. But then we take down the photos, shove them in a box, and we very rarely see them again.
So this Quick Trick is something new I’m trying–something that I know my kids will enjoy because I know they love these cards.
Here’s the skinny:
What to do with Holiday Cards:
I’m talking about the photo cards here. I have a happy place for all of our other cards, and that’s the Card Box.
Our holiday cards are ready for a new home.
Our photo cards have ended up in a box up in the closet that never seemed to make it down often enough. Granted, when it did, the kids were occupied and interested; it’s like looking though all of their best buddies’ photo albums.
But we need a change.
This year I did something new with our holiday cards.
1. First, I gathered all the cards for each year into a pile.
It wasn’t easy because there were so many, but it was oddly satisfying and peaceful to just look through all of the cards in one sitting.
2. Then I punched a hole in the upper lefthand corner of each card.
After I punched holes in the corner of each card, I clipped them together with a silver circle clip, and made them into a book.
3. Finally, I put our own family’s holiday card on top of each ‘book’, and I was finished.
ย 4. Then, I surprised the kids with their new reading material!
I left the cards out on the table for the afternoon and next morning, and Maddy, Owen, and Cora must have flipped through them a dozen times each.ย They’re not the most sturdy little clips, and if they flip too quickly the cards will tear, but with reminders to be gentle, the cards were okay.
I think now that the cards are in a more central location–right in our craft room–we’ll see them more often.ย Plus, it’s like having an extra photo album to look through whenever we want.ย And if ever we need a quick reminder as to how to spell that long-lost third cousin twice removed’s name, the card will be right there.
And that’s it. Just a teeny little Quick Trick to make use of those holiday cards that we spend so much time choosing, to keep our kids connected with friends and family, and to help keep us all a little more organized!
Here’s to a happy, healthy year to everyone!
More about holiday photos here:
Want a few more holiday-inspired gift ideas or activities? Check out:
- Best Gifts for Kids and Families 2014
- Best Gifts for Kids and Families 2013
- Best Gifts for Kids and Families 2012
- Holiday Fun Fact and JOKES Lunchbox Notes (with Hannukah!)
- Holiday Time Fun Fact Lunchbox Notes
- Little Holiday Notes and Jokes
- Holiday Notes for Families
- The Polar Express tradition
- Scratch-off Cards
- K-Cup Advent Tree
- New Year’s Family Interview
- Happy Holidays Backyard Birds
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Cool idea! I put our photo cards on the door from the kitchen to the laundry room & leave them up for the year. When it’s time to make room for the next year, they go in a Christmas card scrapbook.
Gwen! That’s a super idea–if the cards are on the door, you’ll see them all the time, but they’re saved from year to year in the scrapbook. Love it. And I bet it makes laundry day more enjoyable!!
Too funny Amy!! I did the exact same thing this week including using our card from that year as the “cover” for each little ringed book!! Great minds think alike! : ) Isn’t it fun having them all in one place?! : ) I do wish your card was in our stack this year…
STOP it. NO you didn’t. I’m sure yours are much cooler than mine, MaryLea–I’m sure they’re beautiful, crafty, creative, and breath-taking. Seriously–write a post about it and then let’s do a ‘do THIS if you’re totally awesome’ and do THIS if you’re a lazy-mama’ ๐
And fyi, I accidentally ordered 60 cards and usually order 100+. I made a mistake that I’m paying dearly for, thanks to the zillions of people who didn’t get one and have let me know. SORRY! I love you–and you know it!
What a fantastic idea… I have a Christmas Card ‘basket’ and I think I just might have to start making these ‘books! I love how you put your own family’s on top! It helps you know exactly what year that ‘book’ is! Thank you for sharing!
thanks so much, Kimberly!!! I totally appreciate your kind words and hope the ‘books’ work for your family! Happy, healthy 2012 to you, my friend!!
Great idea!! Ours are still up in the dining room because it breaks my heart to throw them out, but I had no idea what to do with them. Will get them on a circle ring tomorrow ๐
Stacey! Don’t you dare throw them out–if you need a circle ring, I got you covered, my friend! xoxo