Your roadmap for a healthy green life

  1. Find out your current healthy green score with our five-minute quiz
  2. Discover what to do next from 400+ actions & track your progress
  3. Share and compare with your friends & neighbors
Superbly Green
Your Action Status
Not Committed Yet
Sign in or join now to get started
Points
Stuff Stuff 5

Make a homemade card instead of buying a new one

All Practically Green: 418 or so people have DONE this action so far.

All Practically Green: 25 or so people have ADDED this to their action plan so far.

Why is "Make a homemade card instead of buying a new one" green?

Who doesn't love receiving a homemade card? Not only do they really show someone you care, but also making cards by reusing paper and materials you already have around the house reduces the consumption of natural resources. You’ll save money, too.

While there are eco-friendlier greeting cards on the market, making them involves manufacturing emissions as well as the impact of transporting the cards from factories to stores—even if they’re printed with the best possible ink on 100 percent recycled-content and/or FSC-certified paper. DIY cards made from recycled scraps have a much lower footprint. By some estimates, not sending 50 cards a year (holidays plus birthdays add up!) saves five pounds of waste and 1,000 pounds of emissions.

How to: Make a homemade card instead of buying a new one

Get creative. If you’re not, never fear, there is plenty of inspiration to be had online. The only thing to avoid is buying new materials to make your cards. That defeats the purpose!

Try taking paper you’ve only used on one side and decorating over the printed part. Use that stash of old greeting cards you might already have lying around. The recycling bin is a great source for images, letters, and photographs—from magazines, catalogs, kids’ drawings, and newspapers. Cut and paste these onto your card.

Buttons, beads, glitter, and more give any card pizzazz. Or head to the yard for leaves, flowers, and feathers.

If you’re an artist—or live with a young budding one—drawing and painting pictures and designs is always nice, especially with eco-friendly paint.

  • Strathmore Greener Options Recycled Fiber Cards
    • (0 Ratings)

    Strathmore offers the perfect blank canvas for your homemade designs. These recycled fiber cards are made with 100 percent post-consumer waste fiber and are also available in hemp, bamboo, and sugar-cane varieties for a little added sweetness.

  • JAM Recycled Envelopes
    • (0 Ratings)

    Not yet a master of the DIY envelope? When it comes time to mail your cards, choose recycled instead of virgin paper ones. These brown kraft paper bag envelopes are available in over 20 sizes and are made from 100 percent recycled paper. Feel free to embellish as you see fit.

  • Martha Stewart: Handmade Holiday Cards
    • (1 Rating)

    If you are in need of design inspiration, consult the master herself -- Martha Stewart. Her on-line site is a great resource for creative and elegant DIY card ideas for all seasons. When the 'how-to' calls for new materials, consider recycled and upcycled alternatives.