With generations of Christmases, many households have a stockpile of old Christmas cards somewhere in the home. A wonderful way to reuse these is to transform them into ornaments for artificial Christmas trees or hang them as holiday décor. When you’ve done what you can and still have a lot to spare, keep them from the garbage dump by donating them. Here are some tips to help you out:
Know the purpose of the organization or charity group
First, find out if the cards are appropriate for the group. This is important so you don’t send cards that may offend the group especially since there are cards that have adult themes. To be safe, select cards with nice designs or messages. Since most cards are cut out and reused to make new cards or used in arts and craft projects, those with lovely traditional designs are the most suitable to donate.
Contact the group
Donating may be simple but it’s best to make sure that you don’t waste time and effort sending the donation only to find out it doesn’t fit the group’s requirements or needs. Give the charity a call or send them an inquiry online.
Check the schedule for donations
Charity groups often have schedules for receiving certain kinds of donations to control the influx of materials. Follow the dates so your donation would be received without any trouble.
Donate to any of the following organizations:
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
This charity rescues abused children and those who aren’t provided for in their homes. Children earn additional money by making greeting cards using the fronts of old ones. They usually accept donations between November 15 and February 28 but check their website for the year’s schedule.
Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT)
RAFT promotes hands-on education and creates learning materials out of recycled items. The group supports recycled art, too. RAFT accepts many items including used office supplies where old greeting cards can fit in. You can drop old cards off at their various drop-off locations. They also do free pick-ups for local businesses donating a large bulk.
Aside from these groups, you can contact a local prison or rehabilitation center to see if they accept old cards that can be used as a small source of livelihood. Donating to them is a wonderful way to spread the spirit of the season.
About Christmas Tree Market
