Create FREE Gift Tags Using Christmas Cards

December 29, 2008

Reuse old Christmas cards to create free holiday gift tags. 


This quick and easy gift tag project is one of the easiest "upcycles" I've ever done! 

Do you keep your old Christmas cards every year? I do. Don't have a clue why -- I do the same thing with birthday cards, I can't let go of them.

Well it's like I've kept them all these years JUST for this! This is also a great way to use cards that you're tossing -- you can do this for year round gifts as well.

tags made out of Christmas cards
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All you need is a paper punch (found at any craft store or here online). I use all kinds of shapes and sizes. 

This rectangle craft puncher works great: 
rectangle craft puncher
Just grab a card with a cute image:
Reusing old Christmas cards
You may have to do some trimming to get it to fit in the puncher right. 

I turn mine upside down to see what I'm punching. I do it on the floor too -- much easier to punch. (These things can be a work out, especially with thicker paper):
upcycle Christmas cards into gift tags
Voila!! Instant tags for next year! I even cut out some of the messages inside the cards:
Gift tags out of Christmas cards
Aren't they adorable? I am dying to get my hands on more cards from this year. I'm trying to be patient and am keeping them up just a couple more days. 

This round craft puncher option would be cute as well. I even found a Christmas tree shape version

These were some of my favorites:
make gift tags from cards
The puncher was originally about $15, but I got it half off. Otherwise, this is F.R.E.E.! Have fun!

**Edited to add: YES the photo cards make this harder. But I've also used the puncher on gift boxes or bags that were torn up. Those are adorable too!


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Comments

  1. I haven't seen that punch...its a good one!! Nice job...now I've got to go find that size!lol. Laurie

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  2. Hey, I have a bunch of those puches from my stamping days. I forgot about them. I think I need to dig into all of my stamping stuff again. Thanks for the reminder. Hugs, Terrie

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  3. ARG! I literally just threw my cards away. This morning...and the trash man already came and went.
    That'll teach me. ;0
    (I did save a few but they are keepsakes going in my special box of goodies)
    Sigh. Thanks for the idea anyway. It's a great one.

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  4. wonderful recycling idea!

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  5. Thanks for such a cute idea!! I just love it. It gives me a great idea for next year. If only I didn't get so many photo cards this year I'd have more paper to work with.

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  6. I LOVE my punches...and what a great idea! You are so very creative & I'm eatin' it up, hehe :-)

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  7. I love this idea!!

    You're a smart one. That's why I come and visit. :) I like ya.

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  8. Love it!!! I try to scrap book alot of my Christmas Card, but we get alot from business associates, which I don't scrap book. SO those would work great. :)

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  9. That's a great idea...my mom used to just cut them out with scissors, but I like the punch. But, I got waayyy fewer cards this year than usual, and my friend said she did too. Maybe people were cutting back on that too?

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  10. Love any idea which reuses things....I keep so much stuff, I am sure I can find something to use. I also make bookmarks and tags to put inside books. I plan to post that in a couple of days. Carol

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  11. Ya know, I think I remember my Mom doing this with pinking shears, but I haven't remembered that 'til now! Thanks for the "thrifty and green" idea!!
    Keep 'em coming, chick!!
    Becky

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  12. Such a great idea!

    Stealing it, no idea what I'll do with it, but I'll think of something!

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  13. What a great idea, I am looking for one of those punches tomorrow.

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  14. This is a fantastic idea! I have not seen this yet. Thank you...I absolutely love this and will use it forever! :)

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  15. We mostly get picture cards these days. I'm thinking about just scanning them into my computer and tossing the hard copy. My word for 2009 is 'Simplify' so I figure this is best!

    But I will have to do that with the few actual cards that we got. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Clever idea! I am going to do this...I can handle this a lot easier than some of the other crafts some people share.

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  17. I have got some punches too and I love them! I'll have to get this shape too because it does make a great tag! GREAT IDEA!!!

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  18. What a cute idea!!! Thanks for sharing!! =)

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  19. Love this idea - putting that punch on my list. wouldn't you know I have tons of punches but not that shape!

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  20. Awesome, clever idea! I posted a link to your post on my blog. I love this idea! I usually toss my cards out, but not anymore. :)

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  21. I have all the cards sent to us since 1999, with no idea with what to do with them. This is perfect!

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  22. Awesome idea. Love this!

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  23. What a GREAT idea! Of course, I threw out my cards. :( Oh well, there's always next year, lol! I did find a bunch of tags when I was organizing my decorations. So, I'll use those up. I'm trying to not be so wasteful.

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  24. I just love this idea, my stepmom does something similar with scissors that give the edges scalloped edge. I'l have to find her a punch like this to make it easier on her :)

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  25. Just discovered your blog and think it is truly wonderful. I love this idea for old cards - such an inspirational thought!

    Wishing you all the best for 2009 from Northern Ireland. Will be definitely back in the New Year to see what else I can pick up!!

    FeeBeeKay

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  26. Hey Sarah, love this post and I am doing this, I did it last year and was amazed at some of the beautiful tags that came from cards. I am also going to post this week about your organizing thinga mabob you will be doing soon. Can't wait...I am in full organizing gear ready to attack my house full steam ahead! Hahaha.
    Hey you could also use your tag punch to make punches for containers, shelves, tools, etc.
    Blessings,
    Debbie

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  27. You are soooo good!! I haven't posted to you in a while, I have been very selfish with my time, spending all my days with my girl, she's been home for the holidays and doesn't go back to school until the 13th!!
    I added your logo to my blog today. I do visit you regularly though!!
    Have a safe and Happy New Year ~

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  28. My mom always cuts out the cute pictures and sayings on cards to use for tags, so I've been doing that the last few years, too. However, I had NEVER thought to put two and two together and use my tag punch! That is GENIUS!

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  29. I am so gonna go get me one of those thingies, cause ya know whatever's free works best for me, and at half off ---- OH MY!

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  30. this is another one of those time i regret not picking a place to live that had a hobby lobby! lol!

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  31. Thanks for sharing this idea. I have several of these hole punchers, but I would have never thought about punching out old Christmas cards.

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  32. So cute!!
    Here's to a joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year!
    blessings,
    kari & kijsa

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  33. I have saved mine of years. I think I will use this idea.
    Thanks for the tip.

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  34. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVEEEEE that idea! It's a must!

    Smiles,
    Jen

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  35. Those are the cutest things I've ever seen! How creative and simple.

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  36. I love your idea. I always keep my cards too, but just tear off the artwork and fold it in half to make a mini card...not as cute as your little tags! Thanks for sharing! I just posted today about what to do with photo cards. Check it out here: Ihttp://salpetitt.wordpress.com/2008/12/31/easy-x-mas-photo-calendar/

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  37. That is a great idea! I've got a huge stack of cards and a brand new punch that I can use.

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  38. That is such a cute idea... and I just threw away all my Christmas cards... LOL

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  39. Great idea with the Christmas cards - all brand new
    ones.
    I love my punches, too. I have a shoe bag that goes from the top of the door to the bottom and I store my punches in it. I put it on the inside and it can't be seen. They are just fun !
    I am still trying to catch on to the computer and now wondering what will happen if I click on the "LINKS TO THIS POST' ...... why not ?

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  40. Great idea with the Christmas cards - all brand new
    ones.
    I love my punches, too. I have a shoe bag that goes from the top of the door to the bottom and I store my punches in it. I put it on the inside and it can't be seen. They are just fun !
    I am still trying to catch on to the computer and now wondering what will happen if I click on the "LINKS TO THIS POST' ...... why not ?

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  41. See I told you I couldn't find nothing to work with in my small town...but I am going to Hobby Lobby this weekend...do they have those punches in that size...I have pulled all my gift cards out and even took home the ones we got from work...see I do listen to your great suggestions...just gotta find a punch to do it.

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  42. I am not a scapbooker, so I don't have one of those punches. Now I want one!

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  43. I love this idea and I will definitely try it! I also love your blog and I'm very glad I found you!

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  44. What a great idea! I save my cards and give the kids last years cards to give to their friends and teachers. I think this year I will "steal a few for myself". I love your site. Your decorating style is very much like mine! LOVE IT!!

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  45. This is a great idea!! Now I just need to figure out what to do with the photo cards people send me....

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