55 Homemade Christmas Card Ideas to DIY for Your Loved Ones
Friends and family will cherish these beautiful and unique handmade card designs.
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Receiving an annual Christmas card is a sweet reminder that you're important to someone — whether it comes with a sentimental message, an adorable family photo or a hand-drawn design. Exchanging greeting cards has been a classic Christmas tradition for ages, which is why so many people put them on display during the holiday season. Of course, you could buy your holiday cards or customize a set online, but there's nothing more personal than a homemade Christmas card.
Whether you're an expert crafter or first-time DIYer, we've rounded up dozens of Christmas card ideas your friends and family will absolutely adore — ranging from simple to intricate, depending on your skill level. A few of our favorites include cardstock embroidered with an evergreen tree, a 3D card made from colorful craft paper and a snow globe design with a personal photo inside. For parents with babies, toddlers or young children, we've highlighted plenty of kid-friendly holiday crafts, including one idea that turns their footprint into a jolly snowman.
Browse this gallery to learn how to make beautiful Christmas cards at home, finding step-by-step instructions plus free printables and patterns along the way. The only thing left to worry about will be what meaningful message to write inside! If you're on the hunt for another arts and crafts project, check out more of our favorite handmade gift ideas and easy Christmas craft ideas.
Washi Tape Holiday Cards
Whether it's with clean lines or a festive pattern, use washi tape to upgrade blank cards and envelopes. Think Christmas trees, presents, snowflakes or green and red stripes.
3D Paper Christmas Tree Card
With a few pieces of paper and about 15 minutes, you can recreate these adorable Christmas tree cards. Keep in mind: Christmas trees don't always have to be green — let your imagination run wild.
Joy Christmas Card
Print these fun JOY cards onto white cardstock. Then let your kids color in the cute illustrations, which include snowmen, presents, mistletoe and Santa Claus.
Footprint Snowman
If you've got a little one, see if they'd like to coat a foot in white paint. If they're willing, stamp their painted foot onto a piece of cardstock and turn it into a smiling snowman.
Embroidered Tree Holiday Cards
Using embroidery floss, cardstock and a Christmas tree pattern, create unique holiday cards for all of your loved ones. Stick with a neutral color palette or get creative with bright hues.
Watercolor Holiday Card
Watercolor painting is known to be a stress reliever, so these beautiful wreath watercolor holiday cards will accomplish two goals in one: handmade gifts for your loved ones and a more relaxed you.
Christmas Gnome Shaker Card
Take inspiration from this punny gnome card, elevated with a mix of gold sequins and chunky glitter in the center. Whoever receives this interactive design will love shaking it like a snow globe.
Felt Design Christmas Cards
A mistletoe, Christmas tree or Christmas sweater make the perfect focal point on these adorable holiday cards. Cut your favorite designs from felt, and add a bit of string or felt balls for decoration.
Snowy House Christmas Card
Adorn the front of your card with a quaint, snow-covered house with evergreens in the distance. And, don't forget to flank the windows with holiday wreaths.
Paper Wreath Christmas Card
Warning: You'll need a Cricut for this project (and sadly a Cricut Joy won't cut it). But with the right tools, it shouldn't take longer than 25 minutes to create this elegant wreath beautifully adorned with a red bow.
Cookie Cutter Christmas Cards
Here's a fun way to give those Christmas cookie cutters a second purpose: Use the cookie cutter as a template to trace a festive shape onto scrapbook paper.
Snow Globe Card
Make your holiday card feel more personal by adding a festive photo of you and your family. Pick out your favorite card stock, print out a photo and follow this snow globe template. Don't forget to decorate it with some snowflake stickers!
Elf Christmas Card
If you're crafting with a toddler, this adorable elf card is a great option. Use the shape of their handprint to make the face, then cut out a hat and neck trim on colored card stock.
Paper Cut Christmas Card
For this one, you will need a silhouette cameo, Cricut machine or craft knife — but the final result is so beautiful. With the proper tools and downloadable files, it won't take you too long to recreate these.
Folding Scenery Card
A charming winter scene unfolds in this card, which was practically made to be the centerpiece of a mantel display.
Oh Deer Christmas Card
Just print out this chalkboard artwork on card stock, cut and fold — it's really that simple.
Sponge Printed Christmas Card
Inspire your children to create something cool! Just give them a sponge, some green paint and a bunch of small decorations (like sequins) to deck out their one-of-a-kind Christmas tree.
Printable Christmas Card
With small Christmas trees and a bubbly font, this cute Christmas card is sure to impress her. Just print out the file on card stock, and you're good to go.
'Merry Grinchmas' Card
Here's a super fun (and only mildly messy) craft idea for you and the kids. Paint their palms green and their fingers red, and you'll have a Grinch in no time. Complete the design by adding cotton balls to his hat and drawing on a grouchy face.
Christmas Tree Card
Chances are you already have everything required to make these precious Christmas cards. All you need is some card stock, glittery paper, googly eyes and a Sharpie — plus a pom-pom for the Christmas tree's nose or a bow for the present.
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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