Receiving holiday cards is one of the season’s simplest joys. But that feeling doesn’t have to end after the envelopes are opened. We’ve assembled some of the most meaningful ways to display your cards and turn them into memories you can enjoy all season long.
Displaying holiday cards with intention.
Lining up holiday cards as decor on a shelf or above the fireplace is a beautiful reminder of what the season is all about. But that’s just the beginning. Here are some of our favorite unexpected and meaningful ways to show them off.
Make a card garland.
Run a length of twine or pine branches across a window, or railing. Hang holiday cards with small clips or clothespins to turn your cards into a highlight of your holiday decor.
Make a card Advent calendar.
At the beginning of December, display your Christmas cards and open one together each morning for an extra– special countdown to Christmas.
Treat them like art.
Tuck holiday cards into decorative place card holders, ring clip stands, or miniature easels. Accent with holiday greenery, candles, and decor for a curated gallery feel.
Illuminate them in a lantern.
Roll holiday cards into loose scrolls and arrange them in a glass cylinder vase filled with fairy lights. The warm glow through the photos creates a surprisingly beautiful centerpiece for a holiday table.
Make a whimsical wreath.
Clip a handful of your favorite holiday cards to a wreath hung near your front door and let your guests arrive to familiar faces as they hang their coats and scarves.
Creative ways to enjoy your holiday cards all year long.
Some of the most creative and meaningful things you can do with your cards happen after the decorations come down. Here are our favorite ways to give your holiday cards a life that lasts all year long.
Turn photos into refrigerator magnets.
Cut out the photos from your favorite holiday cards and add a magnet backing. Your refrigerator becomes a daily reminder of how full life really is.
Create a photo book of your cards.
Photograph or scan your favorite holiday cards each year and turn them into Shutterfly photo books. It’s a beautiful way to preserve the photos and messages that make each card irreplaceable.
Make a yearly card collage.
Hand the kids some scissors and let them help arrange the year’s cards into a collage or scrapbook. A fun activity that doubles as a beautiful annual archive of the people you love.
Make gift tags and ornaments.
Cut holiday cards into festive shapes, punch a hole in the corner, and add ribbon or twine to turn them into ornaments. You’ll carry forward this year’s joy into the next, plus have a creative way to wrap gifts and decorate the tree.
Related resources on what to do with Christmas cards.
Shutterfly Christmas cards are more than just seasonal greetings. They’re snapshots of moments, memories, and connections with the people you care about. By displaying them, preserving them, or transforming them into fun projects, you can make the most of every card and keep the joy of the season alive long after the holidays have passed.
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