Christmas Card Ornament

Since I have had very little luck finding recyclable holiday greeting cards, I have been looking for ways to re-purpose the many "good tidings made in writing" of years past. I found this nifty DIY project online at a couple of websites including Junk Mail Gems.

The materials and tools needed to complete this project are all normal household objects including a variety of old greeting cards, cardboard or similar material, a pen or pencil, glue, scissors, binder clips (optional), ribbon or string, one circle cutting pattern and one triangle cutting pattern.

Begin by creating the circle and triangle cutting pattens. Using a round object like a drinking glass or jar lid, trace a circle onto a piece of cardboard. Note: A circle 2.75" in diameter will result in a final ornament of about 5-6" in diameter. Make a second circle and draw an equilateral triangle that fits within, similar to the pattern shown below.

Cut out one circle and one triangle cutting pattern.

Using the circle cutting pattern, trace 20 circles onto selected greeting cards. It may be a good idea to utilize a few different types of greeting cards in order to find a combination of eye pleasing patterns and colors.

Cut out all 20 circles.

On the back of each circle, trace the triangle cutting pattern. Fold all three sides of the triangle toward the front of the circle. Repeat for all 20 circles.

Arrange five of the folded circular cutouts tip to tip, glue together and secure with binder clips (optional) until dry. Repeat. You now have a top and bottom.

Arrange ten of the folded circular cutouts tip to bottom in a line, glue together and secure with binder clips (optional) until dry to create the midsection of the ornament.

Before assembling the top and bottom to the midsection, knot a loop of string or ribbon at the base and place, knotted end down, inside the ornament so it won't slip out. Secure with glue or tape for extra support.

Glue the midsection to the top and then attach the bottom. At this point, you have a finished product, however you may want to add a few finishing touches like glitter or other embellishments.

The entire process from start to finish should take approximately one hour.

For more detailed step by step instructions, click here.