How To Make A Christmas Ornament Out of Old Christmas Cards

Keeping old Christmas cards to recycle for tags and ornaments the next year, isn't exactly a new idea. I made some beautiful tin can ornaments (see here) last year using old Christmas cards.
This year I've used the cards to make these 3D ball ornaments. This is a fun craft for both adults and kids and costs almost nothing to make as you are repurposing materials.
First, I sorted the cards roughly into piles of similar colours. I wanted to make each ornament with a particular colour theme.
Next, download and print out the basic stencil shape for the 3D ball. It's available from my blog (link in bio at the end).
For these 3D ball ornaments, I used a small stencil. This made an ornament about 7-8cm (3″) in diameter.
Draw around the stencil shape on the cards and cut them out. You should be able to get 4-5 shapes per Christmas card.
You will need 12 of the flower shape per ornament. That means that you will need approximately 3 Christmas cards to make one ornament.
Once all the flower stencil pieces have been cut out, it is time to construct the 3D ball. Start off by slotting two pieces together along the slits.
Carry on slotting in the flower petals one by one. After 6 you will have a cup shape. As you add more and more shapes, it gets a bit fiddly. But as you can bend the cardboard this helps. After a bit of practice, you will get the hang of it.
The last piece of this 3D Christmas card ball puzzle is the most tricky to add, as it slots into five different flowers.
To add a bit more detail to these ornaments I made a pompom tassel (more details on the blog).
I will be keeping this year Christmas cards too, to make more ornaments for next year. I also use old Christmas cards to help make a festive decoration out of an old printers tray (see here).
What do you do with your old Christmas cards?
Enjoyed the project?
Suggested materials:
- Old Christmas Card
- Yarn scraps
- Embroidery floss

Comments
Join the conversation
-
Barb Johnson on Dec 08, 2022
I cannot find the template.
-
Claire at Pillarboxblue on Dec 08, 2022
It's on the original blog post https://www.pillarboxblue.com/recycled-christmas-card-ornament/
-
-
-
Kerry on Dec 08, 2022
The ornaments are beautiful, but the printer's tray is AWESOME!!!
What a great idea - thanks so much for sharing... you made my Christmas!!!
Merry Christmas to all :)
-
Claire at Pillarboxblue on Dec 09, 2022
Aww, thank you. Merry Christmas to you to!
-
-
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
A "bit fiddly"...I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I always say things get "janky". I got a ton of old cards and use mine for gift tags. I can't wait to try my hand at this!
I can't find the template.