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

Table of Contents
Handwritten Recipe Gifts Recipe Cards as Kitchen Art Recipe Cards as Aprons and Dish Towels How to Turn Old Recipe Cards into Memories Vintage Recipe Tea Towels DIY 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 Leave a Reply FAQs

Published: · Modified: 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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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandra Marcum says

    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

      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

  2. nicki says

    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

  3. Rachele says

    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

      I'll definitely look into posting that recipe! Thanks for visiting.

      Reply

  4. Weaveron Textile says

    Wow!!!
    What a wonderful idea...

    Reply

    • Lois says

      Thank you!!!

      Reply

  5. Susie @ The Chelsea Project Blog says

    These are adorable. Sharing.

    Reply

  6. Laura Hinckley says

    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

  7. Linda says

    This would make great Christmas gifts. I think I am inspired!

    Reply

  8. Meredith Wouters says

    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

  9. Jessica Stone says

    These are fantastic! What an amazing way to pass these recipes on to loved ones.

    Reply

  10. Wanda Ann Olsen says

    What a great idea and so meaningful. I love i!
    Hugs,
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile

    Reply

  11. Wanda Ann Olsen says

    What a great idea and so meaningful. I love i!
    Hugs,
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile

    Reply

  12. Miss Steph says

    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

  13. Jessica Jarrell says

    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

Leave a Reply

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

FAQs

What can I do with old handwritten recipe cards? ›

What are some recipe gift ideas?
  1. Showcase your handwritten recipe with a shadow box.
  2. Turn a cutting board into kitchen art.
  3. Use a small easel to hold recipes upright on the counter.
  4. Make backsplash art with customized recipe tiles.
  5. Create wall art with handwritten recipes on a canvas.
Nov 11, 2022

Show Me More ›
What can I do with my grandma's old recipes? ›

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.

Know More ›
How do you preserve old recipe cards? ›

The size of your recipe collection will dictate how you store them. 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.

View More ›
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.

View Details ›
How do you preserve handwritten recipes? ›

Old family recipes can be protected and preserved in archival polyethylene bags, which can be stored in acid-free boxes to help preserve them for generations to come.

Continue Reading ›
What is the best way to digitize recipe cards? ›

Tips for digitizing old recipe cards
  1. Scan the recipe cards using a document scanner or phone app, such as CamScanner.
  2. Use an online recipe database like BigOven to store and organize your recipes digitally so that you can easily share them with family members.
Jan 24, 2023

Get More Info Here ›
How do you transfer handwritten recipes to wood? ›

How to Transfer a Recipe onto Wood
  1. Print your recipe as the "mirror image" and on a laser printer. ...
  2. Apply a medium layer of Mod Podge to the wood. ...
  3. Lay your paper onto the wood over the Mod Podge. ...
  4. Dampen a rag thouroughly and ring it out (almost completely).
Mar 16, 2020

Learn More Now ›
What can I make for my grandparents? ›

10 Recipe Ideas For When You're Hosting Your Grandparents
  • 01 of 10. Baked Potato Soup. ...
  • 02 of 10. Fritos Corn Salad. ...
  • 03 of 10. Chicken Tamale Pie. ...
  • 04 of 10. Hashbrown Casserole. ...
  • 05 of 10. Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. ...
  • 06 of 10. Pumpkin Banana Bread. ...
  • 07 of 10. Millionaire Bacon. ...
  • 08 of 10. Chocolate Pudding Cake.
Jan 25, 2024

Read On ›
How do I turn my family recipes into a book? ›

How to make a recipe book with your family.
  1. Brainstorm family recipes. Think of some of your favorite recipes that you loved growing up. ...
  2. Collect the recipes from relatives. ...
  3. Curate the collection and write them up. ...
  4. Design or find a consistent format. ...
  5. Cook (and take pictures).

Learn More ›
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.

Discover 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.

Learn More Now ›
What is one thing a good recipe should include? ›

A good recipe has two parts
  • Ingredients listed in the order of their use.
  • Exact measurements (amounts) of each listed ingredient.
  • Simple, step-by-step directions (steps listed in sequence)
  • Cooking time.
  • Cooking temperature.
  • Size of correct cooking equipment to use.
  • Number and size of servings the recipe makes.

Explore More ›
How do you do 3 favorite things as a gift exchange? ›

For medium-sized groups, have guests bring three identical gifts unwrapped. Display all the favorite things in the center of the room or on a table. Have everyone share why they brought their favorite thing, then draw numbers from a bowl. In numerical order, take turns selecting a gift from the pile.

View Details ›
What can you do with old recipe books? ›

If you love cooking, you'll never get rid of your favorite recipes. You can sell, donate or recycle the cookbook, but the knowledge in those pages, that will stay with you forever!

Learn More ›
What are recipe cards used for? ›

A restaurant recipe card is a vital culinary arts resource for the new staff that helps train them on specific dishes served in the establishment on a regular basis. This helps prevent food waste as a novice cook tries to get a hang of the main cuisinier's delectable delights.

Get More Info ›
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