Whether they are seaside souvenirs or treasures from a different time, our postcards often have sentimental value. But what to do with postcards after their obligatory stint on the fridge?
Postcards are such a nice way to send a message to your favourite person. They tell us that our loved ones are thinking of us – but postcards are also thoughtful mementos that can be kept for years to come.
So we don’t want to just throw them away, but figuring out how to store or use them is a different matter. Whether you’re looking to get creative, recycle your postcards to create something new, or just looking for the best postcard storage ideas, we have included tons of ideas, tips and tricks!
Here’s what you’ll find in this article:
- Scrapbook
- Decoupage
- Hanging them up
- Pin board
- Wrapping paper
- Note book
- Home decor
- Origami
- Photo album
- Travel boxes
- Shadow box
- Travel journal
- Clip them together
- Frame
- Collect them
- Value and sell
What to Do With Postcards: Get Crafty
Have loads of postcards from previous trips? Get crafty and recycle or upcycle your old postcards for a creative project such as:
#1 Scrapbook
Scrapbooking is basically a creative way of recording your story. Usually, people use them to document daily life or special trips, and they serve as an excellent heirloom or even a time capsual to pass down to the family. Postcards lend themselves easily to scrapbooking, especially if you collect your own from your trips. However, if you are scrapbooking with postcards you have received from friends, you might want to include a pocket for storage. This would mean that you can remove the postcard and read the message whenever you liked.
#2 Decoupage
Basically, decoupage involves glueing different types of paper to another surface, with a high varnish finish. Layering different mediums to create a customised effect, you can decoupage furniture, storage boxes, and so much more. Although they are an excellent material for decoupage projects, thinner postcards are better suited for a professional finish.
#3 Hang them up
You could also use your postcards to make a creative display that is personalised and fun. Whether you opt for a traditional string with miniature pegs or a strand of LED lights, horizontal or vertical, this has the potential to add style to your space. If you are sticking with the holiday theme, you could hang postcards next to photographs from your trip, tickets, and other such souvenirs.
#4 Pin board
If you prefer to keep some structure, you could also show off postcards on a pinboard. Also known as a corkboard, this is a simple and easy way to display your favourites. Plus, with it being so easy to change things around, you can mix up your collage as often as you please.
What other paper crafts can you do with postcards?
There are so many different paper crafts you could do with postcards, and the only limit is your imagination. Other options could include:
- #5 Make your own gift tags for wrapped presents
- #6 Make your own notebook
- #7 Create home decor
- #8 Origami
What to Do With Postcards: Keepsakes and Souvenirs
Some people collect postcards as a take-home reminder from their holiday, and they make excellent souvenirs. For others, this section could be about collecting and storing postcards you have received from friends and family. The best ideas for storing your postcards could include:
#9 Photo album
A photo album is a great way to store your postcards neatly, and the ability to remove them as you please ensures that you can read and re-read the message on the other side. Even if you have bought the postcard for yourself, you could fill out the other side anyway, as a kind of postcard diary. It bound to be a nostalgic reminder when you come across it in the future. It works particularly well if you used MyPostcard to create postcards with your own photos, that’ll capture your memories visually as well as in words.
By the way, if you’re thinking about send friends photos in the snail mail, check out this article on how to do so with a photo or postcard app.
#10 Travel Boxes
This is an ideal choice for anyone who appreciates the sentimental value of postcards, without the desire for clutter. A travel box is neat, easy to store and out of the way. Plus, they keep all your small souvenirs, tickets, pictures and postcards together for the next time you are looking to take a trip down memory lane.
#11 Shadow Box
A shadow box is also a great way to store your postcards next to souvenirs of your trip but on display for all to see. They are basically deep frames which have enough space to allow you to show off pictures, postcards, precious mementoes and memorabilia all together.
#12 Travel Journal
Alternately consider creating a travel journal and adding your postcards to section off different parts of your trip. The best thing about making a travel journal is that you can create and use this during your trip to record memories as they happen.
#13 Clip them Together
Punch a hole in the top left corner of your postcards and then tie them together with a ribbon to create a flip-through picture book. This not only keeps them neatly stored, but it keeps them together and accessible. However, this is not a good idea for postcards that might have some value, as the hole is likely to be an issue if you ever wanted to sell.
What to Do With Postcards: Timeless Treasures
If you have lots of vintage postcards or valuable ones, then you will probably need storage that will protect as well as keeping them neat and tidy. As we previously mentioned, photo albums can be a great way to keep your collection organised or you could store them in labelled boxes if you have lots. If you are wondering what to do with old postcards, why not consider:
By the way, if you love vintage postcards, but want them without words on the other side, or damaged, you can find vintage-style postcards here from Mary L. Martin. Mary is a famous postcard collector who’s scanned her amazing vintage postcards for you to use afresh.
#14 Frame and Mount
Old postcards often feature beautiful artwork, and lots of them are ideal for framing. A mount is the white or cream card that goes over the postcard when it is placed in the frame. This adds a touch of elegance, and it is often associated with professional framing.
Did you know, with the MyPostcard app, you can add a magnet sleeve, a wooden stand or a frame to your postcard order? So when it arrives, your recipient is able to display in pride of place on the fridge or mantlepiece! Choose from 70,000+ designs to create your postcard, add a message and a recipient and send. We print and deliver for you!
#15 Start a Postcard Collection
If you are looking for a new hobby, so many people around the world collect postcards. You could pick a theme, such as cats, dogs, or festivities, with Halloween bring particularly popular. Alternatively, you could collect them by types, such as saucy seaside or outdated humour.
#16 Value and Sell
Some people actually make a living out of trading postcards, and perhaps you have discovered a rare find. Some of the most sought-after sell for thousands and you will need to seek a professional valuation for rare ones. The most expensive postcard ever sold is believed to the world’s oldest, and it went for a whopping $ 45,370.70.
We hope you got some ideas on how to deal with your postcards piling up! If it’s got you feeling curious about why postcards are even a thing, find out how it all started here, with the history of postcards.
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