I know we posted this last year, but the program is still up and running, and we thought this is such a great cause and a great way to recycle. If you are interested in sending cards, please read below for more information on how these cards will be used.

“Over thirty years ago, wishing to show our donors appreciation for making St. Jude’s Ranch for Children possible, the idea was conceived for turning the previous year’s Christmas cards into “new” cards for the coming season. The recipients were so delighted with their unique “thank you,” they requested the children sell them the special cards. And so, the St. Jude’s Ranch Recycled Card Program was born. “

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children are now accepting used card fronts from Christmas cards and any other occasion from now until February 28, 2010. In the past, St. Jude’s temporarily suspended the accepting of cards because they were overwhelmed with the response from many caring donors that they needed to take time and reorganize the program. Now, they are accepting cards again. If you happen to read this after February 28th, you can still donate, but you will need to visit the St. Jude’s website first for different instructions at http://www.stjudesranch.org/

St. Jude’s has been collecting old cards and making new ones for over 30 years, which gives the children an opportunity to make “green Christmas” cards, learn about recycling, and raise money for St. Jude’s. Recycling our old cards also gives us a chance to be “green”, offer supplies to a great organization, and be able to support a worthy cause.

If you would like to donate your used card (fronts only), please send to:
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude’s Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

For more information and to keep updated on this program, please visit St. Jude’s website often. http://www.stjudesranch.org/

You can also purchase these “green cards” by contacting St. Jude’s Ranch:
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
ATTN: Donor Office
P.O. Box 60100
Boulder City, NV 89006-0100
Phone: 1(877) 977-SJRC

You think to throw it out
But wonder what to do
When a bright idea pops up
And you recycle old to new.

Instead of throwing out the used wrapping paper, Christmas cards, and such, read below for a few tips on how to recycle or reuse your Christmas items.

Icicles
-Collect all the icicles you have left over from the tree and use them for gift bag “stuffing” throughout the year.
-Use them as ribbon when tying small bags or for rolled up notes (like a scroll).

Wrapping Paper
-You can cut paper into smaller pieces and use as a decoupage material to decorate shoe boxes, packing boxes, and not-so-pretty jars or tins.
-You can even re-use birthday paper in the same way.

Tinsel/Garland
-Old tinsel or garland can be cut into shorter lengths and used to decorate wreaths and centerpieces.
-Use to spice up a wrapped package by adorning with the tinsel instead of just using ribbons and bows.

Lights
-Cut up old strings of miniature lights and use for electricity experiments.
-Each light makes a great 1.5 volt battery tester.

Ornaments
-Spray paint & glue glitter on old ornaments to give a fresh, “new” look.
-Glue or decoupage printed pictures of your family onto an old ornament (print pictures in sephia or black & white for a cool effect), then seal with clear spray.
-Glass ornaments can be soaked in soapy water to clean, and then re-decorate how you want. You can add some lace, baby’s breath, or even make mini snow globes inside.

Christmas Cards
-Cut out three pictures from your old cards. Using a glass, trace a circle around the section of the picture you would like to use. Fold each circle in half. Glue or staple the three circles together with the pictures facing out so that it forms a triangle-like shape. Punch a hole through one of the sides; place an ornament hook through it. Hang it from the tree.
-Use the card to make small gift boxes or even Christmas crackers (tubes) out of them.
-Use cards to make origami gift boxes. The front of the card makes the top and the back makes the bottom. The boxes end up about the size of a ring box, and can be hung on the tree as an ornament, or be use to surprise someone with a diamond ring.

Election Signs
Since elections are near to Christmas time, here is one tip on how to even recycle those.
-Decorate the sign by spray painting it, and then tying a bow around it to look like Christmas presents. You can place them randomly in your front lawn.
-You can use painter’s tape to tape off a cross shape after the first paint color, then paint again with a second color to have a “ribbon” that will last a long time.
-You could even paint Merry Christmas or some holiday cheer on the sign.

Please share some of your Green Christmas ideas with us. If we receive enough, we will post a second Green Christmas article for you.