Julie Finn
Spending Thanksgiving weekend with my grandpa (Want some old twist ties? Margarine tubs? Bread bags? You got it!), I came across my late Mama’s 50+ year stash of greeting cards received. Given permission to cut up any cards from people we no longer, um, “associate” with (Note: “From Pam and Bud” should now read “From Pam, Art, Zack, and Katie”; “From Dennis and Pat” should now read “From Dennis and…” uh, Martha? Margie? I seriously can’t remember anymore), I turned some old cards from the exes into a huuuuge stash of awesome little gift tags for all occasions. In about a MINUTE!
You will need: greeting cards you’ve received and wish to recycle; a large craft punch in a shape you’d like to use as a gift tag (traditional tag shapes work, obviously, but so would squares or circles); a small hole punch (1/8″ is a nice size)
1. Using your large craft punch, punch gift tag shapes out of your recycled greeting cards. You can fussy cut out particular pictures or patterns, or punch randomly. Check that the back side of what you’re punching out is blank if you’d like to write there.
2. Using your small hole punch, punch out the hole you’ll thread the ribbon through to tie it onto your pretty package.
Seriously, that’s it. As for the pretty package, well, that’s up to you!
How do you recycle your greeting cards?
damn, that’s a great idea. i like the idea of a punch stamp for the shape. i’d have my ruler and exacto knife out, and i’d be making gift tags for days. i hate throwing away xmas cards, and thought i’d eventually find something to do with them.
thanks.
Thanks for this, Julie! I’ve saved old holiday cards, and I’ve seen the gift card punch at Hobby Lobby, but do you think I put 2 and 2 together. Nope. So, I thank you for doing it for me. 😉
I’ll warn you, though–it’s so addictive. I now have the ability to tag a LOT of gifts.
where did you get your gift tag hole punch?
Where did you get your craft punch?
oops didn’t notice that there were two pages of comments (I thought that maybe my comment from yesterday didn’t post). Sorry everyone
There are a few similar styles of this punch, but my particular one, and I’m really happy with it, is a Marvy Clever Lever Mega Craft Punch in the merchandise tag shape. I bought it from a big-box craft store locally (they have it at our Michael’s and Joann’s) with a 50%-off coupon.
I NEVER buy anything from our big-box craft stores unless it’s at least 40% off. Sometimes I have to collect the supplies I want for a particular project over the course of a month, as I get mailed 40%-off coupons weekly, because I’m weird and I just can’t stand maybe paying an extra buck for something!
Nice idea. So HOW DO I ORDER THE GIFT TAG PUNCHES???
I mentioned this before, but I suggest first going to your local independent scrapbook store, obviously. They can help you pick out a suitable punch or possibly special-order the exact one you want.
My next-best choice is usually my local big-box craft store. They don’t special order for me, but I have this idea that their bulk shipping is more environmentally friendly than me just having one craft punch shipped across the country to me alone. Is that really more environmentally friendly? I’d love to hear some opinions… Anyway, they’re also local, and spending my money locally is good.
My third-best choice is ordering online. I like being able to research, comparison shop, and order exactly what I want, but I’m less happy paying shipping, waiting for my order, and not supporting my local businesses.
What do y’all think? Is there are gold-standard good-for-the-environment way to buy stuff that may not be in stock?