10 Easy DIY Christmas Cards to Make

1. Make Rubber Stamp Christmas Cards

Rubber stamps are one of the easiest ways to create polished-looking Christmas cards without spending much time on each one.

Start with blank cards or folded cardstock and choose Christmas-themed stamps such as snowflakes, trees, ornaments, stars, or holly. Add ink in traditional red and green or use metallic gold and silver for a more elegant look. Keep the design simple with one large stamped image, or create a repeating pattern across the card. Add a handwritten Christmas message inside to finish it off.

2. Make Christmas Tree Cards With Wrapping Paper

This is a great way to use leftover scraps of Christmas wrapping paper that are too small for wrapping gifts.

Cut several pieces of paper into progressively smaller rectangles. Roll each piece into a small tube and secure it with glue. Arrange the tubes from longest to shortest to form the shape of a Christmas tree. Glue the paper rolls onto the front of the card, then add a star to the top. Add buttons, sequins, beads, or small pom-poms as ornaments.

Because each wrapping paper pattern is different, every card can have its own look.

3. Create Fingerprint Christmas Cards

Fingerprint art turns DIY Christmas cards into keepsakes, especially when kids help make them.

For a reindeer, use a brown thumbprint for the face and add antlers, eyes, and a red nose with a marker. Arrange green fingerprints into the shape of a Christmas tree or wreath. Add small dots of paint for ornaments, draw a star at the top, or finish a wreath with a tiny red bow.

Let the paint or ink dry completely before adding the card to an envelope.

4. Make Button Christmas Cards

If you have a button jar or leftover buttons from other craft projects, turn them into colorful Christmas trees.

Arrange green buttons in a triangle shape on the front of a blank card and glue them in place. Use a brown button or a small strip of cardstock for the tree trunk. Add a yellow button, star-shaped embellishment, or paper star at the top.

You can also create ornaments, wreaths, or snowmen using different colored buttons.

5. Create Christmas Cards With Washi Tape

Washi tape makes it easy to create a festive card even if you don’t consider yourself especially crafty.

Cut strips of Christmas-colored or patterned tape in different lengths and stack them horizontally from longest to shortest to form a Christmas tree. Add a small piece of brown tape or paper for the trunk and a star at the top.

You can also use washi tape to create presents, ornaments, candles, or striped backgrounds.

6. Make Handprint Christmas Tree Cards

Handprint crafts are especially fun for younger kids.

Paint a child’s hand green and press it onto the front of a blank card with the fingers pointing downward to resemble tree branches. Once the paint dries, decorate the handprint with painted ornaments, stickers, sequins, or small pom-poms. Add a paper star at the top and a small brown trunk underneath.

Write the child’s name and year inside so the card doubles as a keepsake.

Looking for another Christmas craft for kids? Grab our free Build an Elf Printable for more hands-on holiday fun.

7. Add Paper Snowflakes

Paper snowflakes can make beautiful DIY Christmas cards with very few supplies.

Fold a small square of white paper and carefully cut shapes along the edges. Unfold it to reveal the snowflake design, then glue it onto colored cardstock. Try white snowflakes on dark blue, red, green, or kraft paper for contrast. For a little sparkle, brush a small amount of glue along the snowflake and sprinkle with glitter.

8. Make Christmas Gift Box Cards

Turn the front of the card into a stack of presents.

Cut several squares and rectangles from scrapbook paper or leftover wrapping paper. Glue them onto the card in a stacked arrangement and add thin strips of ribbon or paper to create bows. This is an easy way to use up small scraps from other Christmas projects while creating a bright and colorful design.

9. Create Christmas Tree Cards With Paint Swatches

Turn leftover paint sample cards into simple Christmas trees.

Cut green paint swatches into triangles and glue one or several onto the front of a blank card. Add a small brown paper trunk and decorate the trees with tiny dots, stickers, or drawn ornaments. Because paint samples come in several shades, you can create trees with a layered or ombré effect.

10. Make a Simple Photo Christmas Card

A favorite family photo can become the centerpiece of a handmade Christmas card.

Print a small photo and attach it to cardstock. Add a border using patterned paper, ribbon, washi tape, or holiday stickers. You could also let kids decorate around the photo with drawings, snowflakes, stars, or Christmas messages.

A handmade photo card gives you the convenience of a printed picture while still feeling personal.