DIY: Upcycled Gift Tags

What you need:

• Old Christmas cards (I save them each year)
• Cookie cutters for use as stencils
• Scissors
• Wrapping or construction paper for the back (if there is writing to cover up)
• A scanner (more about this later)
• A hole punch 
• A lot of pencils if you aren't working alone
• Glue (glue sticks work well for this)

If you have a beautiful card with a message inside that you want to preserve I suggest scanning the card to your computer.  Then you can use the scanned images as a screen saver each year.  Now when you cut it up you won't loose the message inside and you can still see the card.

Gather your materials and get to work!  I like to lay all of the cards out on the table and then find the best place for each cookie cutter so that I get the prettiest part of the card.  This isn't always possible when working with small people who will steal your cards.  Position, trace and cut.  I trace the outside of the cookie cutter to get the biggest gift tag.  I also use a pencil for tracing because I like to trace on the top of the design (so that I get it exactly where I want it) and this way I can erase any pencil marks.  For cards that had writing I use construction paper and give the tag a backing by attaching the card and paper together.  Use your hole punch to provide a place for ribbon or string to attach the tag to a gift. 

I have been doing this for a few years now.  I first did it because we didn't have a lot of money and it was cheap!  I do it now more because I feel like I am re-using something that would otherwise get thrown away or stuck in a pile of papers.  I also love the personalization that it gives each gift.  I get more help from the kids every year and they really enjoy it.  Although their motivation is more to decorate and write out cards for others, not make gift tags.  I always have lots of pencils and kid scissors out.  They like to do their own cutting too. 

If you are really feeling creative (or don't mind being messy) you can add glitter or embellish them.  Normally I don't make it to this step but this year we have the time.  

Don't have a lot of Christmas cards?  Didn't save yours?  Don't want to cut up that really special card?  Buy a couple of packs after Christmas when they go on sale.  Happy tagging.