Three R Thursday - Recycling Valentine's Day Cards

13 WAYS TO RECYCLE VALENTINE’S DAY CARDS

This is a combination post. In addition to my regular 3 R Thursday post, I am also participating in my first Thursday Thirteen.

By the end of today you may find an abundance of festive Valentine's Day Cards on your kitchen counter. Never fear. Here are 13 ideas to help turn those cards into meaningful projects for your family. If you are not feeling all that crafty, make sure you check out #13 for ideas on where to send your cards to be recycled for good causes.

I also have a giveaway going on - please check details above!

Sewing Cards – Using the front of the card, hole punch around the edges about an inch apart. You could even use some of the fancy shaped hole punchers available now. Let your children use a yarn or shoelace to weave around the card.

Puzzles – With just a few simple supplies you can turn your card into a puzzle the kids will love putting together. Use these instructions to help you create your puzzles.

Gift Tags – Cut out certain parts of the cards or cut them into different shapes. Punch a hole and store them away so they are ready the next time you wrap a gift.

Magnets – Cut out various shapes and glue onto pre-made magnets for instant fridge art.

Placemats – Make a set of customizable placemats for your next family dinner. Use these directions from Kaboose to help you create one of a kind placemats.

Gift Boxes – Use these step-by-step directions from CraftyPod to turn your card into a sweet little gift box.

Bookmarks – Cut them into strips and use them for hip bookmarks. Use different style scissors to cut the edges and laminate for longer use. You can also write special quotations or make notes from the book you are reading.

Mini Journals – Cut the fronts off of 2 favorite cards. Cut lined or unlined paper to size and add a few sheets between cards. You can use a stapler or hole punch and yarn to join all pieces together.

Gift Bags – Cut out different shapes or pictures from your cards. Glue to plain white/brown paper bags to create an instant original gift bag.

Make Confetti – Use different types of hole punchers to punch out various colors and shapes. Store your confetti for the next time you need to decorate a special occasion table. This activity has the potential to keep children entertained for hours!

Postcards - Collect large index cards or use the fronts of cards received and turn them into postcards. The postmaster-friendly postcard size is a minimum of 5 inches by 3.5 inches - maximum of 6 inches by 4.25 inches. Glue or tape valentines to one side or create a collage with lots of different paper bits. Write a special message on the back and send this thoughtful postcard to someone you love.

Scrapbooking – Save your money on cardstock shapes. Use your cards to cut out different shapes for your scrapbooking needs.

Recycle them – Not feeling very crafty? Simply recycle your cards. Better yet, collect cards from all your children’s classrooms and neighbors and recycle them also.

I found two sources for donating your cards to be recycled:

CardsDirect provides a useful and beneficial service for disposing of greeting cards that are no longer needed at the end of the season. Place all unused cards (without personalization), and/or cards being considered for disposal, in a box or envelope.

Address the box or envelope and mail to: CardsDirect 2007/2008 Card Recycling and Re-Use Program 200 Chisholm Place, Suite 220 Plano, TX 75075 866.700.5030

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children also has a recycled card program. The children precision cut the card fronts and glue them to pre-printed card stock. The children receive fifteen cents per each acceptable card made which is divided between their savings and college fund, their cottage fund for special group outings, and to provide the kids with extra pocket money.