DIY Christmas Card Ideas – 11 Handmade Festive Options

We’ve found some DIY Christmas card ideas to let your creativity run wild, whether you’re a seasoned craftsman or just starting out.
Purchased Christmas cards, while beautiful this time of year, can mean that you may receive some of the same cards. However, if you create your own, each will be unique and no one will receive the same from someone else.
There are kits that come with everything you need, some designs that only require coloring and some that require a stitch. Most of all, it’s about having fun with your own designs and conveying that lovely feeling that a handcrafted card gives you.
If you like to DIY this time of year, why not try your hand at creating decorations as well? Head over to our DIY Christmas Decorations feature for more fabulous ideas.
DIY Christmas Card Ideas
Bring back the joy of crafts with these fabulous DIY Christmas card ideas that you can send to friends and family. Who knows, this could be the start of a wonderful new hobby.
1. Buy pre-made party stamps and print your own cards
(Image credit: PaperGrapePrints)
You don’t like drawing or painting? Then go for a set of Christmas rubber stamps that you can use to design cards with, wrappers, and gift tags. This set of PaperGrapePrints Christmas Stamp Set is hand carved and made to order, you can choose individual designs or the set – Christmas tree, pudding, gingerbread man, bauble, snow globe, snowflake and gift – and they are shipped in the whole world.
2. Or, if you are feeling brave, buy this lino print Christmas kit
(Image credit: Craftiosity)
Take it to the next level by sculpting your own lino printing blocks that can be used every year like this lino stamp kit from Craftiosity. You can create your own designs or opt for iconic shapes like a star, tree, and house. Roll over ink and print as many as you want.
3. Sew on a card to give it a textured effect.
(Image credit: Plant a Bloomer)
This unique idea of Plant a Bloomer includes embroidery kit, card and envelope.
The idea is that you embroider the card using the punch holes and thread. The leopard shown is “endangered” and is seen walking in the snow. This card is great for wildlife fans and they will love the extra texture the stitching will add. Plus, it will look amazing in anyone’s Christmas card display.
4. If you are not the arty shrewd type, personalize instead.
(Image credit: Posterhaste)
There are some great customization options if creating your own designs isn’t for you.
Posterhaste’s ‘family portrait’ Christmas card are printed on weighted and textured cards, with a kraft envelope. You can choose from a selection of people, pets, animals and festive themes, add names if you want, and make them look as much as you can.
The finishing touches are the Christmas font and color scheme, and voila – your family Christmas card is ready to send.
5. Make a Christmas card with baubles
(Image credit: Hobbycraft)
This cute Christmas card has a difficulty rating of 1 in 3 – so that’s good, right? This is the perfect DIY Christmas card idea for a beginner and the result is really effective.
Create your own Christmas card in the shape of a garland with Hobbycraft step-by-step instructions .
6. Learn how to “fold the iris” these wonderful balls
(Image credit: Jolie en papier)
Have you heard of “iris folding”? It is when the paper is folded into strips to mimic a camera iris, it looks great when finished and you can use it to create all kinds of shapes.
This incredible Christmas Rainbow Iris Ball Folding Kit from Etsy contains enough resources to craft eight balls in eight different colors and you can see how striking they are when completed.
7. Color your Christmas cards
(Image credit: Eatsleepdoodle)
Coloring for adults has become a big hit in recent years, it’s fun and therapeutic, so why not consider this coloring Christmas Craft Activity Pack by Eat Sleep Doodle that’s going to be something you can do with the kids too – or hide it and do it yourself at night – we won’t say.
It comes with 3 large coloring gift wrapping sheets, 6 gift tags and 6 cards with envelopes, so it’s also a great Christmas gift wrapping idea.
8. How to make a winter scene shaker card
(Image credit: Hobbycraft)
We love shaker cards because they add that nice, festive little extra that you don’t get from a standard card. Inspired by the magic of a snow globe, we have a fabulous walkthrough on how to make a hobbycraft winter scene shaker card for you to create your own – and don’t forget you can add your own favorite extras like fake snow, confetti, and glitter.
What you will need:
- Winter scene card and envelope pack
- White snow confetti or similar
- Artificial snow or similar
- Feeling gold foil stickers
- Craft Essentials White Hammered Card
- Stix 2 Clear Acetate Sheets
- White foam pads
- Double sided tape
- You will also need a cutter and a ruler
Step 1: cut out the card
(Image credit: Hobbycraft)
Cut a sheet of hammered white card stock at 4 x 3 inches, then cut the top into a curve and glue under the opening.
Step 2: Glue the acetate to the card frame
(Image credit: Hobbycraft)
Cut the hammered white card stock to 10.5 x 15 cm, draw a 1 cm border around the edge and cut with a craft knife to create a frame. Glue the acetate to the back of the frame, then place foam pads around the edges.
Step 3: Sprinkle with fake snow and confetti
(Image credit: Hobbycraft)
Sprinkle fake snow and snowflake confetti on the acetate, then set them momentarily aside. Cut another piece of acetate to 10 x 14.5cm, then remove the backing from the foam tape and attach the second acetate board on top.
Glue the frame to the front of the card, then glue a sentiment sticker down.
9. Keep it simple with a beautiful snowflake stencil
(Image credit: Nicolette Tabram)
How beautiful is this stencil? It is so versatile that you can use it to stencil snowflakes on windows, fabric and Christmas cards and packaging.
The possibilities are limitless. Created by Nicolette Tabra on Etsy, It is made from a quality reusable 190 micron mylar stencil and measures 12.5 x 14cm.
10. Learn new stitches with this sewing kit
(Image credit: MamaBCrafts)
This super cute Mama B Craft Christmas Kit from Etsy is great for kids and adults alike, it comes with enough yarn, a blunt knitting needle and pom poms to make three cards, or you can opt for the bumper pack which will give you 5.
Instructions are emailed to save paper – we love that touch – and that means you won’t lose them.
11. How to make a layered Christmas scene card
(Image credit: Hobbycraft)
Cards that have a 3D quality are always more effective and visually striking, so if you’re feeling smart, this Hobbycraft Layered Christmas Card has a difficulty rating of 2 out of 3 – so take a look at the walkthrough here and give it a whirl.
How to make a simple Christmas card?
“Since we recently repainted the interior of our house, we had a plethora of paint sample cards. An easy way to recycle them, as well as make your own Christmas cards, is to cut out the paint chips into a triangle shape and glue them to the front of your card. ‘
“You can use multiple colors on the same card. Cut them into “trees” of different sizes to give depth to the map. Add a star at the top of the larger one. You can also add stars to the sky above the trees and voila, you have a super easy homemade Christmas card and you also recycled all those paint color sample cards, ”says James Green, owner of Build a head.
How to make Christmas cards from old ones?
We are always looking for ways to reuse and recycle and making new Christmas cards out of old ones is something that can be very effective.
The only new thing to buy first would be blank cards, we love them white blank cards with white envelopes from Amazon.
Take your old cards and cut out the sections you like – it could be a festive scene, a tree, balls, or a modern pattern. Then, using one of your blank cards, start playing with the elements cut out from the front.
Keep it simple and glue the parts you like, it could be a row of balls, a big tree, or snowflakes. You can then add decorative elements like glitter, ribbon and washi tape as a finishing touch.