Saving Greeting Cards for the Kids

I really try not to be a pack rat. I do a decent job of keeping clutter to a minimum for the most part, but I have my weaknesses. Some things are so hard for me to throw away. 


I was reminded of one of these things after Isaac's birthday. I was cleaning up, putting away his new toys and clothes, and there they were... the birthday cards! 


For some reason, I have the hardest time ever throwing cards away that we've gotten from anyone for any reason. Last Christmas, I threw away about 5 years worth of Christmas cards that we had received... I guess I never missed them. (Of course, why would I? They had been in a box in a closet somewhere!)


It's even harder when it comes to my kids. I hate to think that I'm throwing away sweet thoughts and sentiments meant for my children that they have never had the privilege of reading for themselves or really understanding. So I decided I had to find some clever way to keep them. (The stacks in Isaac's closet just wouldn't do any more!) I think I've intended in the past to bind them into a book of some sort, but let's face it: Life is busy. That's probably just not gonna happen! So, I took about 5 minutes and did this:

Super quick and easy! I punched a hole in the corner of each card and slipped them on a ring clasp. I only had 1" diameter rings on hand, so that's what I used. I'm sure I'll have to upgrade before too many years pass. 

Isaac couldn't wait to get his hands on them! (He also had a great time with the "confetti" I made doing all the hole punching!) By the way, that's a pretty big stack for a 2 year old, huh? I hesitate to tell you why... but here goes: I actually saved ALL of the cards I got from baby showers for him! Yep... every. single. one... and considering I had 3 showers, there was quite a stack :) Please tell me I'm not the only one that does this! ;)

I didn't have any showers for Ada, so of course her stack is starting out much smaller. 


It was so much fun going back through and reading these cards as I did this. I really do hope they enjoy looking through these cards and reading the sweet messages as they get older!