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How to Make a Fun Art Project with Old Christmas Cards

Are you looking for sustainable holiday crafts? Dive into our art project using old Christmas cards and giving festive memories a new lease on life.

Every Christmas, our homes get a little brighter with cards filled with holiday cheer from loved ones. They find their place on our walls, mantelpieces, and sometimes even our fridges. But when the season ends, tossing them away feels like a waste, especially when they’re bursting with memories.

I’ve made hanging Christmas card ornaments, giving our Christmas tree a personal touch of nostalgia. Each ornament told a story, a memory from yesteryears. But this year, I felt inspired to do something different.

Instead of upcycled ornaments for the tree, I wanted these cards to adorn our walls. The idea? To create a unique piece of Christmas wall art that celebrates the season and the memories that come with it.

Art projects using old Christmas cards, like this mosaic masterpiece, are not just about crafting; they’re about cherishing memories. Whether you hang it in your own space or gift it, it’s a beautiful blend of recycling, creativity, and the timeless spirit of Christmas.

Recycled Christmas Craft: Mosaic Art from Old Cards

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Materials Used

  • Old Christmas cards
  • Hexagon punch or cutter
  • Glue stick
  • A sturdy base (like cardboard or foam board)
  • Frame and mount (optional)
Old Christmas cards

How To Make Christmas Card Mosaic

Step 1: Sorting and Selecting: Begin by sorting your Christmas cards. Group them by colour, pattern, and design. This will make it easier to visualize your mosaic and select the best pieces for your tree, sky, and snow.

Step 2: Punching Out Hexagons: Methodically cut out shapes with your hexagon punch or cutter. Remember, variety is key. Some cards might have glitter or foil accents – these can add a touch of sparkle to your mosaic!

Punching out hexagons

Step 3: Choose the frame and mount for the Christmas card art. A frame can elevate your artwork, making it look even more professional. Opt for a frame that complements your design. The mount will give a clean edge, especially with uneven borders. Then, mark out the area for the visible mosaic.

Frame and mount

Step 4: Designing the layout: Lay your design on the base before glueing. I started with the Christmas tree, using green and red hexagons. I used white or light-coloured hexagons for the snowy ground and the sky, different shades of blue. You may want to try out other festive designs or spell words with the hexagons.

Planning the Christmas card mosaic

Step 5: Adhering the Pieces: Once you’re happy with your layout, carefully glue each hexagon. I just used a glue stick for this.

Gluing the old Christmas card art project

Step 6: Framing: finish by framing your Christmas card artwork with a mount.

Old Christmas card art project mosaic

Variations & Tips

  • Personal Touch: Place memorable cards in noticeable spots to make the artwork even more special.
  • Gift Idea: This mosaic art can be a heartfelt, handmade gift with memories and love.
  • Incorporate Text: Use snippets of text from the cards, especially heartfelt messages or greetings, as part of your design. This can add a personal touch and evoke memories.
  • Use a Template: Consider using a template to aim for a specific shape or design. Place it over your base and arrange your card pieces within its boundaries for precision.
  • Mix Mediums: Combine your Christmas card art with other materials like ribbons, buttons, or beads. These can be ornaments on your tree design or stars in your sky.
  • Play with Borders: Using card pieces instead of a regular straight edge, consider creating a scalloped or wavy border. This can add a playful touch to your artwork.
  • Photo Integration: Some Christmas cards come with family photos. Integrate these into your design, especially if you’re creating a memory-themed artwork.
  • Background Basics: If placing your mosaic on a canvas or cardboard, consider painting or covering the base in a neutral colour first. This ensures that gaps between card pieces don’t stand out too much.
Christmas card art framed and hung

Other Christmas Crafts

There are many more repurposed and upcycled Christmas crafts on the site.

Check out these other upcycled cardboard Christmas crafts and these Christmas paper craft ideas.

Other household items that can be repurposed into eco-friendly Christmas decorations to consider are tin cans, old sweaters and denim jeans.

If you love hexagon shapes in crafting, check out all these wonderful hexagon crafts.

And you’ll find some wonderful free printable vintage Christmas cards here.

Upcycled and repurposed Christmas card wall decoration pin

Kris

Monday 8th of January 2024

Beautiful and such a clever idea. One question which size punch did you use . Thanks

Kris

Monday 8th of January 2024

@Claire Armstrong, Many thanks can’t wait to start my version

Claire Armstrong

Monday 8th of January 2024

Thank you, I use the XL punch with I think is 2.5" or about 6cm.

Julie

Saturday 21st of October 2023

Your Christmas picture is really lovely. We obviously both love cutting and sticking and reusing! I had a notion that I would do something similar to this with all our old wedding cards that I'd kept in a shoe box, for our 30th wedding anniversary. Sadly I discovered I must have thrown them away when we moved house as I can't find them anywhere. The moral of that story is maybe being a hoarder isn't all bad!

Claire Armstrong

Monday 23rd of October 2023

Thank you. Wow 30 years, well done. That would have been a great project. You'll just have to save all this years Christmas cards for crafting.

Bronwyn

Friday 20th of October 2023

Such a neat idea - another use for old cards. I have been recycling cards into new one for a drug rehab. centre

Claire Armstrong

Saturday 21st of October 2023

That is a great idea too, making new out of old. Thank you.

Donna @ Modern on Monticello

Monday 16th of October 2023

I just hate to throw out old Christmas cards because of the beautiful designs but never can figure out what to make with them. This is such a fabulous idea. Thanks for sharing it. This post will be a feature this week as well. #HomeMattersParty

Claire Armstrong

Tuesday 17th of October 2023

Thank you, it was fun to make. There are so many beautiful Christmas and they make a fun resource for crafting.

janet trieschman

Thursday 12th of October 2023

such a clever use for cards thanks for sharing with Creatively Crafty Link Party

Claire Armstrong

Friday 13th of October 2023

Thank you so much, it was fun to make.