How to Organize Your Holiday Cards
Congratulations, you survived the holidays! It can take a few weeks to settle back into a routine after the craziness of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, and all of the other winter celebrations that we enjoy with our loved ones. And once you finally have your decorations put away, gifts are put to use, and your in-laws are blissfully out of your space, there is one last organizing hurdle: holiday cards.
Most families display holiday cards in their home throughout the season, but the question of how to organize them once the celebrations are over really depends on what they mean to you.
Sort Your Cards
No matter what storage option you choose, start out by sorting your cards. While the childhood photos of your grandchildren or cousins may be precious for years to come, we all receive cards that don’t have long term significance. Sort your cards into “keep” and “recycle” piles. If there are cards that you would like to pass along to a family member before recycling, that can be it’s own category. Don’t feel bad about recycling a card after you have enjoyed it – it has made an impact on you, but doesn’t need to be in your life forever!
Make a list
If you like to keep a list of who sent you holiday cards, now is the perfect time to create a spreadsheet. Make sure you’re including family member’s names and addresses so you have something to reference in the future.
Digitizing Your Cards
If you like to keep your home and holiday supplies free of clutter, digitizing is a great option for you. You can scan cards using a scanning device or app, or you can just take a photo of each card to preserve its impact. Either way, be sure to create folders in your photo or document library with the year and re-name each of the files to indicate who the card came from. Many apps include the option to add captions or descriptions if you want to add additional details.
Physical Card Storage
There are many great ways to safely store cards that you want to keep in the long term. The Container Store has a variety of storage options for cards, including this Greeting Card Holder and this Card Keeper. You can also store cards in a binder or keepsake book. These can be DIY’d using materials from your local craft store or you can order custom binders on Etsy for a more polished look. Once they are contained you can store your cards with your other memorabilia or place the binders on bookshelves for quick access.
Display Your Cards
If you would like to continue to enjoy holiday cards in the longer term, there are many great options for display. You can place them in a shadow box or picture frame to hang permanently, or hang them on art rails to easily change them out. A scrapbook or photo book is another easy way to revisit your holiday cards while also putting them on display!
