Decorating with Christmas Cards

Every year we send and receive Christmas cards. And every year, I add to the collection. I can’t bear to part with a single one. Some of the cards are from friends with growing children with their pictures on the front. It’s wonderful watching them grow up.

Some of the cards are of beautiful winter scenes, or of Santa, or perhaps of the baby Jesus. I cherish them all—especially the ones of friends and relatives that have passed on.

You may have a collection of Christmas cards as well; or do you toss them and wait for a new supply to come in next Christmas? Keep them! They can become part of your Christmas décor.

Frame a Doorway

One of my favorite ways is to frame a doorway. I can see every card and enjoy it all over again. The look is very personal and very warm.

Look your cards over and decide which cards look good together. They will be different sizes. Some will open from the bottom and some will open from the side. Some won’t open at all. They will be face cards, perhaps with children’s pictures.

When I hang the cards, I don’t want them to fall open. I only want to see the pretty pictures on the front. Use double stick tape or fold over single stick tape making a loop with the sticky on the outside. Now that you have tape with two sticky sides, place the tape on the inside of the cards in one place only, near the edge. You don’t want them permanently closed, because you may want to peek inside occasionally and do a little reminiscing. If you don’t want to tape them closed, that’s okay too. Just skip this step.

Once again, using double stick tape, start placing the cards at the top of the doorframe and move across. Select the cards you think look good together. Even after you’ve placed them, you can always change your mind and rearrange them.

I like to take them all the way to the floor so the entire door is framed. If you prefer, you may take them half way or three quarters of the way down. Then as new cards arrive you can tape them to the doorframe and add to the collection.

If you want the display to look a little dressier, place a greenery swag or large bow at each corner of the doorframe. Start placing your cards after these decorations are in place.

Decorate the Door

Another way to display your cards is on the door instead of the doorframe. Attach ribbons of varying lengths to the back of the cards. If you like, you can attach more than one card to a single ribbon, but avoid the cluttered look.

At the top edge of the door, (not the face of the door) attach the ribbons with thumbtacks. When pushed all the way in, the tack will not affect the closing of the door. This can be done on several doors throughout the entertaining area. Use ribbons that will complement your decorating scheme.

Decorate the Kitchen Cabinets

Once again, you can use your kitchen cabinets in the same way. Attach the thumbtacks holding the different lengths of ribbon to the backside of the cabinets. Three cards on your cabinet doors may be all you need.

Using Christmas cards is an easy way to decorate your home and display your cards at the same. Have fun decorating, and Merry Christmas!

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