Sweetly simple Christmas cards

This is your yearly reminder to keep things simple.

If you’re already finding yourself tangled in the tinsel tentacles of the silly season, if you’re clutching a spiralling ‘to do’ list and madly rushing from one obligation to the next, it’s time to pause, take a breath, and grab a moment to focus on a small and simple festive crafting activity that brings back easy creativity…. plus lets you delete ‘buying cards’ from your list.

Those who’ve read my posts before may recall that I consider Christmas a great time to collect materials for kids’ crafting box.

My go-to festive card-making tip involves inviting the kids to use last year’s cards by repurposing them to make this year’s cards and tags.

After Christmas I tear off the front of any cards that arrive, and store them in a plastic pocket. Twelve months later, as Christmas looms, those card fronts can be simply chopped into bits and offered along with a gluestick and some stiff paper or cardboard to make a fresh set of cards.

Cut the pieces into basic Christmassy shapes (think triangles, stars, especially anything kid-drawn) or simply just offer them as random squares… as mosaic tiles they come with a ready-made festive colour scheme so either way looks perfect. It honestly doesn’t matter how daggy the original card was, every design works. Offer pencil or textas for the children to add some final embellishments and voila, job done.

If you didn’t organise a Christmas cards stash last year just chop your mosaic pieces from swathes of kids art turning up from creche, kindergarten or school this week.

This is a craft offering choice and independence, and can be done together, or by the youngsters while you catch your breath.

We have lots more seasonal craft ideas scattered throughout Little Bluebirds. Have a browse using the search icon.

Wishing you all a creative and happy Christmas and a safe summer.