Dear Annie: I would like to offer a possible solution to "No Hallmark," whose sister makes cards that are a work of art and need to be displayed. Now she's inundated with lovely cards and doesn't know what to do with them.

I have a dear friend who has been making such cards for more than 20 years. I consider them an extension of her personality and spirit. For a long time, I saved the cards in a box. Recently, I took them out, selected a few of my favorites and had them cropped, matted and framed in a collage that I hung in my home office. Whenever I see it, I smile and remember happy times in our friendship.

My friend sends me new cards every year. I display them temporarily and then put them into the box. Sometime in the future, I will once again go through the process of having my favorites framed and hung in a space that needs brightening somewhere in my home.

When my friend found out what I had done, it sent her over the moon with happiness — the same way her thoughtfulness in creating and sending the cards makes me feel. — Lucky Recipient

Dear Lucky: We received several suggestions from readers who came up with ways to preserve these artistic cards without feeling overwhelmed. Read on:

From New York: I am a card maker. I hope the people to whom I send my works of art feel the love and good wishes glued and stamped on that card stock. Here is another option for what to do with the cards after the recipient has finished enjoying them: Offer to give them back to the sender. I keep a scrapbook of my art and often look back at previous work to get ideas for new cards. I certainly would take my cards back. Perhaps No Hallmark's sister will, too. I bet she would be touched by the fact that the cards are still around after all these years.

Sierra Vista, Ariz: "No Hallmark" could donate those cards to a charity, such as St. Jude's Children's Ranch (100 St. Jude's Blvd., Boulder City, NV 89005). The Ranch cares for children from abusive homes, and the kids earn money by recycling used cards into new ones and selling them.

California: "No Hallmark" could scan those beautiful cards and save them digitally. That way, she keeps the artwork and sentiments, but doesn't have to store the physical paper. And she also could easily share them with others. She could even make a virtual album.

Louisville: My mother takes cards that she really likes and glues the front to a plain gift bag so the card continues "giving its gift." I liked the idea enough to start doing it myself.

Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to [email protected], or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. To find out more about Annie's Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.