Starting Christmas Preparations in August!

Re-Use Old Christmas Cards - Make Them Into Gift Tags

When do you begin preparing for Christmas? I usually do one or two small things in August. Some years I make a few Christmas cards. This year I spent a rainy August afternoon making a collection of gift tags from old Christmas cards. They were simple and enjoyable to make.

You'll need:

• Christmas cards that you received in previous years and would normally recycle
• A hole punch
• Ribbon, thread, wool, etc in a variety of colours
• Scissors

1. Look at each card and cut out one or more images that would be suitable for a gift tag. You could, for example, choose an image of a Christmas tree; an inscription such as "Season's Greetings" or anything else that takes your fancy. Ensure the back of each image is blank, so that you'll be able to write a message.
2. Once you have a stack of cut-out images, punch a hole in the top of each one using a hole punch.
3. Choose ribbon, thread or wool in a colour that goes well with the gift tag image. 
4. Cut off a length of ribbon or thread. Fold it in half, forming a loop in the middle.
5. Thread the loop through the hole in the top of the gift tag. Pull both ends of the ribbon or thread through the loop. 
6. Pull to secure the ribbon or thread to the gift tag. 

It's as easy as that! Do you make your own Christmas gift tags? If so, do you recycle old Christmas cards or do you use another method?