How to Turn Old Recipe Cards into Beautiful Keepsakes (2024)

Published: Oct 8, 2015 · Modified: May 13, 2021 by Lois · As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This site contains affiliate links · 17 Comments

How to turn old recipe cards into memories and make wonderful bridal, Mother's Day or Christmas gifts for your family. If you like these projects, check out my DIY Kitchen Art project I created to hang in our kitchen.

How to Turn Old Recipe Cards into Beautiful Keepsakes (1)

I'm a very sentimental person and I love the idea of having a keepsake in my kitchen that I know my grandmother or a family member used. I know you're going to love this idea of turning old recipe cards into gifts as much as I do.

These ideas that I'm sharing with you today will make the perfect bridal shower gift for the new bride. Or perhaps you want to honor your mother or grandmother with a gift of their handwritten recipe for Mother's Day or Christmas.

I know they will be loved by whomever you give them to.

Handwritten Recipe Gifts

This is a photo of recipes from my grandmother. I have two spiral little notebooks with her handwritten recipes.

How to Turn Old Recipe Cards into Beautiful Keepsakes (2)

Recipe Cards as Kitchen Art

Here is a project I did that hangs on my kitchen wall. Those are my grandmother's recipe cards that I framed with a photo of my grandmother and I from a long time ago.

I love this reminder that I see every day when I'm cooking in my kitchen.

You can find out more about this DIY Kitchen Art project HERE

How to Turn Old Recipe Cards into Beautiful Keepsakes (3)

Recipe Cards as Aprons and Dish Towels

There are plenty of places on Etsy that will print your old recipe cards on dish towels, aprons and tea towels. Here are a few that I found that would make great gifts.

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How to Turn Old Recipe Cards into Memories

Here are a few ways to displayOld Family Recipe Cards.

Photo Credit:hello-homebody.com

Vintage Recipe Tea Towels DIY

Photo Credit:walkingonsunshinerecipes.com

DIY Kitchen Art from Old Family Recipes

Handwritten Recipe on Flour Sack Dish Towel

Family Recipe Towel

Set of Three Recipe Card Dish Towels

Reader Interactions

Comments

Sandra Marcum says
July 03, 2022 at 5:22 pm
Can you send me the steps to take handwritten recipes from loved ones and turn into a sublimation heat transfer for things like aprons/ towels/ etc
Reply
- Lois says
  July 04, 2022 at 5:19 pm
  If you want those instructions, you need to click on the title or photo. It will bring you to the site for more information. Thank you.
  Reply
nicki says
May 09, 2021 at 4:32 am
loves these ideas, especially the one from "mamasayswhat". Unfortunately I when I click on the name, it seems the website is gone. Can you help me`? Would really like to make that one for family.
thanks
Reply
- Lois says
  See Also
  Grandma's Dressing Recipe
  May 13, 2021 at 5:09 pm
  I updated the post with a few new links for you to find some great ideas on Etsy.
  Reply
Rachele says
August 21, 2019 at 5:40 pm
What a wonderful way to have a keepsake! I want to try this! Would you mind sharing the Grape Jam Bar recipe? It looks amazing! I love to use old, passed down recipes that you don't see often.
Reply
- Lois says
  August 22, 2019 at 9:27 am
  I'll definitely look into posting that recipe! Thanks for visiting.
  Reply
Weaveron Textile says
August 12, 2019 at 8:48 am
Wow!!!
What a wonderful idea...
Reply
- Lois says
  August 12, 2019 at 4:51 pm
  Thank you!!!
  Reply
Susie @ The Chelsea Project Blog says
March 12, 2016 at 2:59 am
These are adorable. Sharing.
Reply
Laura Hinckley says
October 20, 2015 at 2:44 am
This is such a great idea. I have a few recipes handwritten I would love to transfer this way. I am trying it. Thanks for linking up to the Home Matters Party with you! #HomeMattersParty Hope to see you next week.
Reply
Linda says
October 17, 2015 at 3:44 pm
This would make great Christmas gifts. I think I am inspired!
Reply
Meredith Wouters says
October 17, 2015 at 3:26 pm
I love this idea! Pinned to my DIY Gifts board to try it. Nice to meet you on the Home Matters Party, and heading over to follow you on Instagram!
Reply
Jessica Stone says
October 14, 2015 at 3:29 pm
These are fantastic! What an amazing way to pass these recipes on to loved ones.
Reply
Wanda Ann Olsen says
October 13, 2015 at 7:43 pm
What a great idea and so meaningful. I love i!
Hugs,
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
Reply
Wanda Ann Olsen says
October 13, 2015 at 7:43 pm
What a great idea and so meaningful. I love i!
Hugs,
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
Reply
Miss Steph says
October 12, 2015 at 1:46 pm
I love this idea! My great aunt passed away earlier this year, and putting some of her recipes on tea towels would be a cherished Christmas gift this year!
Reply
Jessica Jarrell says
October 08, 2015 at 12:05 pm
I love this idea! I know my mom has tons of handwritten recipes, now I just need to get some from her. So creative and unique!
Reply

How to Turn Old Recipe Cards into Beautiful Keepsakes (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with old recipe cards? ›

Frame your favorite recipes.

Make your kitchen your own by decorating its walls with framed vintage recipe cards. One-of-a-kind art never looked so good. Plus, you'll never lose your favorite recipe again.

Read The Full Story ›

How to turn a recipe card into a gift? ›

Transcribe your family's favorite cookie recipe onto a cookie jar, engrave grandma's oxtail soup recipe onto an easel (now you don't have to lean over and squint), or hang up the most oft-used family recipe on a sign so that it's always in sight.

How to preserve recipe cards? ›

A sizeable collection can be stored in standard archival file folders and boxes. Weak or damaged paper also can be placed in polyester sleeves and then in folders and boxes. Recipes also can be scanned and accessed electronically while the originals are kept in safe storage.

Get More Info Here ›

What is the best way to gift recipes? ›

Scan handwritten recipes and have them engraved or printed on a cutting board, an apron, a tea towel, a mug, a plaque or another thoughtful gift. This is a great way to preserve a bit of history in an item that can be used or displayed daily.

Discover More Details ›

What is the best way to digitize recipe cards? ›

When it comes to digitizing recipes and sharing them with others, there are several methods to consider.

On the cloud. One popular option is to utilize cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. ...
Via email. ...
Texting a PDF file.

Learn More Now ›

How to digitize a recipe collection? ›

Gather your sources to store recipes online.

Collect all these sources and ensure that you have a way to access them digitally. For hardcopy recipes, scan them using a free scanner app and create a digital PDF copy, merging multiple-page recipes if necessary. For webpages, save them as PDF copies as well.

Read On ›

What to do with grandma's old recipes? ›

If you have larger or full-sized 8 1/2 x 11″ recipes, you can easily store them in print pages or 3-ring page protectors, which will display Grandma's beloved apple pie recipe while keeping it safe from your everyday kitchen mishaps.

See Details ›

Do people still use recipe cards? ›

Although many call it outdated, the world of using good ol' paper for books, studies, and even recipes is still very much present. There are simply some things that digital tools cannot replace, and deciding to print your own recipe cards is one of them.

See Details ›

Is there an app for recipe cards? ›

Recipe Card is a user-friendly app that provides a simple and elegant platform for storing and organizing your favorite recipes.

Know More ›

How to save heirloom recipes? ›

5 Ways to Document Family Recipes

Laminate to Celebrate. Laminating heirloom recipes is a favorite way to preserve recipes for treasured dishes and baked goods. ...
Display the Recipe on a Plate. ...
Record a Video. ...
Preserve Recipes on Tea Towels. ...
Create a Family Recipe Cookbook.

Mar 21, 2022

Find Out More ›

What is the most you can give as a gift? ›

The basic gift tax exclusion or exemption is the amount you can give each year to one person and not worry about being taxed. The gift tax exclusion limit for 2023 was $17,000, and for 2024 it's $18,000. That means anything you give under that amount is not taxable and does not have to be reported to the IRS.