Use Christmas Cards To Make A Year Round Gift

Many people put their Christmas cards into storage after the holiday season. They may save the cards but it is not always organized or done thoughtfully. You can consider doing something with those cards before you forget who sent them to you.

Make a habit of writing the year on the top of each inside card page. Assemble all cards that are from businesses like your dentist from the cards given to you by loved ones.

Think about taking digital photographs of all cards and save them to a disc, a folder on your hard drive, or an external storage area. Save the picture portion of cards from businesses and discard the printed message portion. Cards from cherished individuals are cut in half but retain the message and cover together.

You will need a fibreglass mixture that usually comes with a resin hardener, moulding strips, and a good used table. Square top restaurant tables are perfect and you can find some terrific values at neighbourhood sales. Once you have all the supplies, arrange the cards on top of the table. Use your imagination and fill in empty spaces with parts of the business sent card pictures.

The next step is to affix the moulding strips along the sides so the top is raised above the table. Pour the mixture of fibreglass materials over the display until it is equal to the top of the moulding strips. After it dries hard you will have created a unique family heirloom. The messages of love that are laced with the spirit of Christmas will be preserved forever.

This fun-filled project can be done on shadow boxes that are square, round, or any other shape. Family members of all ages can help. The table or wall mounted displays have room for additional decorations on the sides of all moulding strips. Once you apply a hanging device to the back of the project it is ready to be hung on the wall.

Your local hardware store or other retailer will have everything you need to create your holiday masterpiece. Follow the directions on the chemical ingredients to the letter, employ the proper safety precautions, and ventilate the work area.

When you have the project spread out in front of the family it is a good time to make notes about the card senders. Document what they do for a living, what they are passionate about, and include personal observations. What you write this year could be read by the grandchildren of your six year old daughter. You are writing for the future generations of your family. This is their time capsule.

The notes and commentary go with the digital photos of the cards and not on the table or shadow boxes. Now you are in a position to share your project by taking it a step further. You can make a web page or a special page on an internet social site for your project pictures and comments. Invite loved ones to join in by adding their remarks.

Imagine how great it will be for people to look back over their collective personal history. They can contribute to the electronic site from anywhere in the world. Between the physical project and the virtual one you will have constructed the ultimate gift from your seasonal cards.

By: Ged Matthews

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About Ged Matthews Supplier of Christmas Cards to the UK market. All Christmas cards can support one of several leading UK charities. Follow the link to find out more or order a FREE sample Photo Christmas Cards