AnchorMommy

Easy Christmas card display

December 8, 2009 by Shannon

There is exactly one part of the year during which I love the door of my entryway coat closet. Most of the time, it’s just something I try to ignore. But during the holiday season, the 70’s-esque slatted door becomes a charming Christmas card display that couldn’t be easier to set up. All is takes is some pretty ribbon, some clothespins and a bunch of decorative cards.

See what I mean? It’s not a particularly attractive door. It’s definitely been here since my ranch house was built in 1973, and although we once had good intentions to replace all the doors inside the house at the time we moved in, it has stayed right where it is.

Every year, I use the same three pieces of ribbon. They’re about an inch and a half wide, the kind with wire along the edges so you can mold it into pretty bows. I just smooth each piece out and put one end into the top slat, the other into the bottom slat. Once all three ribbons are threaded, I tie them into a knot or bow (which end up being inside the closet when all is done).

Then, all I have to do is grab a handful of clothespins and start pinning cards to the ribbon. Voila! This really brightens up my otherwise lackluster front entryway. In fact, I wish I could leave it up all year long.

The best thing about this display? It actually gives me an excuse to save some of the Christmas cards I get for next year! I don’t know about you, but I have a really hard time throwing them away. Especially the really pretty handcrafted ones. I hate to toss my friends’ creativity out with the trash! I tuck the ones I really like back into a gallon-sized plastic baggie with the ribbons at the end of the holiday season, so that I don’t have to wait a couple weeks for my door to fill up with festive-looking cards. Then, as the new ones arrive, I’ll pull some of the old ones off and either put them back into the baggie or wish them a fond farewell.

I also like the fact that this display takes up very little space. I always think cards look nice placed on a mantel or countertop, but I’d simply rather not give up the counter space if I don’t have to.

This display could be easily recreated in a home without a slatted door, by simply tacking the ribbons onto a wall with a few thumbtacks. I’d leave the ribbon a little loose so you can work the clothespins on there easily.

How do you display your Christmas cards?