A GON Reader Asks

Hi Maria,

In one of your newsletters, you mention recycling greeting cards. For years I sent used cards to the St Jude's Ranch for Children. Do you have any other suggestions? Many of them are pieces of art and recycling them with the newspaper seems wrong. Thanks for your newsletter!

This Reader Question was submitted by:

--Maxine Capezza


Maria Gracia responds...

Hi Maxine,

I love getting beautiful greeting cards, and I agree it seems a shame to consign them to the trash or recycle bin. That being said, I caution folks not to keep every greeting card they receive unless they're going to honestly and truly do something with them. It's very easy to hoard greeting cards and I don't condone doing so. That being said...

Good for you for sending them to St. Jude's. They are one of the few organizations that will take cards...and I love being able to donate when I can. However, this organization cannot take Disney, Hallmark, or American Greetings cards because of copyright laws, so check the backs of the cards before you send them.

Preschool or daycare centers, senior centers, and nursing homes sometimes use the pretty fronts of greeting cards for arts and crafts projects. Sometimes prisons, rehabilitation centers, or other state-run institutions may take them. Call, of course, first to inquire as to if they have any use for used greeting cards and if they have any particular guidelines.

A friend of mine has used hers as 'note paper.' She keeps the front (as long as the other side of the front is a light color and not embossed...she wants to be sure it's easy to write on). Another crafty friend of mine created a notebook of her favorite Christmas recipes using cut out pieces of Christmas cards to decorate the cover; it was beautiful. She is planning to do more as gifts to give to her grown children. Some folks online have repurposed card fronts to use as postcards.

If you have young children or grandchildren around, there are lots of things you can use cards for. They can make placemats by gluing their favorite pictures to a piece of paper or cardboard the size of the placemat. Then cover with clear adhesive paper to protect the mats.

You can make small, easy puzzles for young children with them.

With popsicle sticks or tongue depressors, kids can make tiny puppets.

Do you like to do craft projects? If so, Pinterest has all sorts of craft ideas for using cards. So do many other sites. If you use Google and search for 'crafts with greeting cards,' you will find lots. Many people make gift tags from them. Or cut a card to fit the flat part of a mason jar lid to present baked goodies in. You can create coasters. refrigerator magnets, ornaments, garlands, or tissue boxes.

If you happen to have older, vintage cards, you might be able to sell them on eBay.

Especially love a greeting card? Consider framing it and using it as art in your home or office.

If none of these ideas work for you, don't feel bad about bidding those cards farewell. You received the card and enjoyed it...the card already served its original purpose. Recycle those you can (the cards that do not have glitter, foil, shiny parts, etc. on them...because those are not recyclable) and trash the rest.

I hope this gives you some ideas or inspiration. I think it is wonderful that you're asking about giving those beautiful cards a chance at a second life.

--Maria

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'I've loved greeting cards since I was a child. I never throw them out if I receive one. I want to make America greet again!' --Barrie Lazarus, Just My Type Greetings

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And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
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