What to Do With Holiday Cards, Decor, and Wrapping Scraps—Sustainably

The holidays leave behind more than just warm memories and leftovers. They also bring a trail of festive remnants—stacks of holiday cards, sparkly wrapping paper, used bows, aging garlands, and maybe a wreath that’s starting to look a little too “natural.” It can all feel a bit like a cheerful mess you don’t quite know what to do with.

You want to tidy up, but tossing it all in the trash feels wasteful. Recycling helps, but what’s actually recyclable? What about reusing? Composting? Can anything be repurposed creatively?

This moment—the in-between space where holiday glow meets the urge to reset—is the perfect time to shift your cleanup from “out with the old” to “what’s still useful, beautiful, or compostable?” Instead of post-holiday burnout, we’re going for a calm, clever refresh that aligns with your values and doesn’t burden the planet.

So let’s rethink the afterglow of the season with a little style and sustainability. Here's how to give those leftover holiday bits a second life—without sacrificing your sanity or space.

The Post-Holiday Problem: Why the Waste Matters

It’s no surprise that the holidays produce an excess of everything—including waste. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans generate about 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s compared to the rest of the year. That adds up to nearly one million extra tons of garbage each week during the season.

A lot of that is paper: cards, gift wrap, shipping boxes. And while it’s tempting to assume most of it can go straight into the recycling bin, not all holiday materials are created equal. Glitter, foil, plastic coatings, adhesives—they can all make well-meaning items unrecyclable. And that’s before we even get to old tinsel, broken string lights, or discarded faux greenery.

The good news? With a bit of care and curiosity, much of it can be reused, recycled properly, or repurposed in ways that feel surprisingly fresh.

Step One: Let’s Talk Holiday Cards

Holiday cards are sentimental. They arrive with handwritten notes, photos, and that unmistakable “someone thought of me” feeling. But come January, most of us don’t know what to do with the growing pile.

Here’s a fresh take: not all holiday cards are destined for the bin.

What to Do With Holiday Cards:

• Reuse Them as Gift Tags or Art: Cut out sections of cards to make gift tags for next year, bookmarks, or even frame-worthy mini prints. Some cards are beautifully designed and can live on as seasonal art when trimmed creatively.
• Recycle Smartly: Cards printed on plain cardstock without glitter, foil, or embellishments can usually be recycled. Check with your local recycling program, as rules vary by city.
• Save a Few (But Not All): If you love holding onto memories, keep just a few of the most meaningful ones in a folder or photo box. You don’t need to save everything for it to be special.
• Donate to Programs That Reuse Cards: Organizations like St. Jude’s Ranch for Children have programs (check if active near you) that accept old cards to turn into new ones. It’s a great way to extend the life of those cheerful greetings.

According to a study by the Greeting Card Association, Americans purchase about 6.5 billion greeting cards each year. Imagine the collective impact if even a small percentage of those got repurposed creatively.

Step Two: Wrapping Paper, Ribbon, and Scraps

Wrapping paper can be one of the trickiest post-holiday culprits. It’s joyful on Christmas morning… and then becomes a massive pile of crinkled confusion by afternoon.

• What’s Recyclable: Plain, non-glossy paper (especially kraft or matte wrapping paper) without glitter or foil can usually be recycled. The “scrunch test” is a good clue: if you scrunch the paper and it stays crumpled, it's likely recyclable. If it springs back, probably not.

• What’s Not: Glittery, metallic, laminated, or plastic-lined wrap can’t go in most curbside recycling bins. These materials often contain mixed components that clog up sorting equipment or can’t break down properly.

What You Can Do Instead:

• Save the Reusables: If you’re a careful un-wrapper (or have one in the family), fold and store good-condition wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift bags, and ribbons. You’ll thank yourself next year when you skip the store altogether.
• Get Creative With Scraps: Use leftover bits for craft projects, paper collages, envelope liners, drawer liners, or homemade paper confetti. Even small pieces can have a second life.
• Compost What You Can: Some tissue paper and uncoated kraft paper can be composted if they don’t have dyes or heavy ink. Cut into small pieces and add them to your home compost pile or green waste bin (if your city allows it).
• Try a “Wrap Swap” Next Year: Consider hosting a mini wrap-swap with friends or neighbors next season—everyone brings their leftover wrap, and you all trade. It’s fun, free, and planet-friendly.

According to Stanford University’s waste reduction statistics, if every American family wrapped just three gifts in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields. Small swaps really do scale.

Step Three: What About Decor?

Holiday decorations are often a mix of materials, styles, and age—some handed down, some picked up on impulse, some broken or faded. The challenge is figuring out what to keep, what to fix, and what to let go of responsibly.

Tips for Post-Holiday Decoration Decisions:

• Do a Gentle Edit: As you take down decorations, notice what you actually used and loved. If something stayed in the box this year (and last year too), it may be time to donate or repurpose it.
• Upcycle Creatively: Ornaments that are chipped or scratched can be painted, glittered, or used in wreaths and centerpieces. String light cords can sometimes be turned into garlands or reused in other rooms for cozy lighting.
• Recycle Broken Lights Properly: Many hardware stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s offer seasonal string light recycling drop-offs. Check your city’s electronics recycling guidelines, too.
• Compost Natural Greenery: If you had a real tree, garlands, or wreaths, look for curbside pickup programs or drop-off locations that compost or mulch natural greenery. Remove any tinsel, lights, or wire frames first.
• Avoid the Landfill for Faux Decor: Artificial trees and decorations made from mixed materials aren’t easily recyclable. But they can often be donated to community centers, schools, or charities if still in good condition.

Remember: reusing decor year after year is already a sustainable win. The most eco-friendly decorations are the ones you love enough to use again.

Step Four: Ribbons, Bows, and All the Little Extras

The “extras” can pile up quickly. Bits of tape, decorative wire, plastic bows, tinsel, and packaging elements that don’t quite fit into the recycle bin—but you don’t want to waste them either.

Here’s How to Handle the Small Stuff Sustainably:

• Save What You Can Reuse: Store bows, ribbons, and small embellishments in a labeled box for next year’s wrapping or DIY crafts. You’d be surprised how much you accumulate that’s still perfectly good.
• Avoid Glitter and Tinsel in the Future: These tiny plastics can’t be recycled or composted and often end up in waterways. Next year, opt for natural or recyclable alternatives like dried citrus, cinnamon sticks, or reusable fabric wraps.
• Use Leftovers for Crafts: Kids’ art projects, DIY cards, seasonal decor, or even homemade gift tags can benefit from small extras. Set up a craft bin and let your creativity lead the way.
• Let Go of What Can’t Be Saved: If something’s truly not reusable or recyclable, let it go without guilt. The goal is progress, not perfection.

Sustainable living is as much about future intention as it is about present action. Every small effort you make this year helps shape better habits for the next.

Step Five: Sustainable Storage That Sets You Up for Next Season

One of the best ways to reduce holiday waste is to plan better for next time. A thoughtful storage system can help you remember what you have, avoid buying duplicates, and keep things in good condition year to year.

Smart Storage Tips:

• Use Clear Bins or Labeled Boxes: Transparency helps you see what you actually own. Labels save time and reduce decision fatigue when you’re decorating next year.
• Store by Category, Not Just Season: Instead of throwing everything into a “Christmas” box, sort by type—wrapping materials, lights, ornaments, tabletop decor. This way, you don’t overbuy or underuse.
• Keep a Running List: Tape a quick inventory to the inside of each box or use a note on your phone. It makes holiday prep lighter and more efficient next year.
• Skip the Plastic Wraps and Use Fabric: Wrap fragile items in cloth napkins, tea towels, or reusable fabric instead of bubble wrap. It’s gentler, prettier, and more sustainable.

By being intentional now, you’ll set yourself up for a calmer, more conscious holiday season in the future.

Fresh Takeaways

• Scrap smarter, not harder. Not all holiday waste belongs in the trash. Take a moment to sort what can be reused, recycled, composted—or even turned into something new.
• Keep only the cards that still make you smile. Memory doesn’t need volume to be meaningful. Let your card stash reflect connection, not clutter.
• Invest in reusable wrapping and rethink future purchases. Next year, consider fabric wraps, baskets, or reusable boxes. Less waste, more charm.
• Natural decor = compostable beauty. Choose elements like pinecones, dried citrus, or greenery you can compost after use. Celebrate the season without adding to landfill.
• Use the downtime to reset your storage system. A few extra minutes organizing now saves hours of stress later—and helps you stay aligned with your values.

Less Tossing, More Thoughtful Transitions

Sustainability doesn’t start with what you buy—it starts with how you move through your life. Post-holiday clean-up is more than tidying up glitter and tucking away tinsel. It’s a chance to reflect on what you actually value, what’s still useful, and how small acts of care can ripple into big change.

So, instead of rushing to “declutter” for a clean slate, consider this: what’s worth keeping, reimagining, or giving a second life? Let the season linger—not as chaos, but as kindness. You don’t need a perfect system or zero waste badge. You just need curiosity, a few clever solutions, and a willingness to shift the story from throwaway to thoughtfully kept.

Turns out, sustainability doesn’t mean having less joy. It means finding more meaning in what you already have.