I absolutely love getting Christmas cards in the mail each year. I love seeing how our friends and family have grown, changed and added new members to their families. I put so much effort into my own Christmas cards each year, so when I get one in the mail I know just how much time and effort and money went into them.

Since 2011 I've been making little books out of the cards we get each year. I put them away till the following year and then I bring them out and place them on the coffee table or kitchen table to flip through during Christmas time.

A few supplies I use to make them:

hole punch

stickers or any kind of embellishment

binder rings of various sizes, depending on how many cards you get you'll have to see what size you need.

cardstock, I choose a Christmas themed one but you could use whatever you like.

I start by sorting them by size and matching similar sizes together. Then I stack them all neatly smallest to largest so they open nicely when placed together. I then punch a hole in each card, some books I've done two holes and use two binder rings to hold them together, and others I've just punched a hole in the corner of the card and placed them through the binder ring. You can do what ever you like, see below for examples.

Once I've got them all together I use some of the card stock to make a front and back cover for my book. One the front cover I use the stickers and embellishments and decorate the covers. I like to put the year on the outside cover.

I also use ribbon and tie it on my binder rings for some extra fun!

During the month of January each night when we sit down for dinner we grab and handful of cards and pray for each family that sent us a Christmas card. We do this each night in January until all the families are prayed for.

I love doing this with my family, especially my children. It teaches them how to pray and care for others. It's a wonderful tradition that we started a few years ago and it's something I very much look forward to at the end of the holiday season.

What do you end up doing with your holiday cards? Do you throw them away or make something similar? I'd love to hear in the comments below.

Andrea Worley