Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      Choose a shade that works with a range of backsplash and countertop materials. Read More
    • Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Reclaim your space by parting with things in your home you no longer use or have been damaged over time. Read More
    • 93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    The sweetest way to say "I love you" is with one of these heartfelt, homemade Valentine's Day desserts. Whether you're looking for a treat for your partner, your Galentine's crew, or the co-workers who adore your home baking, you'll find plenty of inspiration in this collection, filled with heart-shaped cakes, cupcakes, and cookies—plus, easy chocolate truffles and decadent mousses and parfaits. Our recipes include desserts for two to share and sweets that feed a crowd. We rate them all above a bunch of red roses any day.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    You don't have to give your house a top-to-bottom scrub before guests arrive, but there are a few areas you should pay attention to.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Halloween Party Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • Adult Halloween Costumes
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    Bolder tones, like cherry red and deep olive green, will dominate in the heart of the home.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    These blooms are tolerant to the chilly conditions, which will allow you to get ahead on your spring flower garden.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    The spots develop when water dries on glass and leaves behind the minerals that were trapped inside.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    From disco ball art to punch needle embroidery, these are the projects that will dominate the DIY world in the new year, experts say.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    In short, yes—should you have a skin type that might benefit from an occlusive product.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    Puppies are irresistible. We fall in love with their big eyes, little button noses, fluffy tails, and clumsy paws. And yet, like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs. Some breeds, like the Old English Sheepdog or Great Dane, will grow to become larger in size than most people. But not all dogs are destined to become giants. There are some breeds that stay small in size even when they're fully grown. You may want a forever puppy if you are used to smaller animals. Maybe you have a small apartment or just want a canine companion that you can easily carry along with you anywhere you go. Small dogs are also great for families with young children or those of senior age who are best matched with a breed they can physically handle. Fortunately, some specialty dog breeds are mixed to look like puppies throughout their entire lives—and they are sure to melt your heart the second you lay your eyes on them. 
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Holiday Planning & Ideas
  3. Christmas
  4. Christmas Card Ideas
  5. 13 DIY Christmas Cards That Will Spread Some Homemade Holiday Cheer

13 DIY Christmas Cards That Will Spread Some Homemade Holiday Cheer

martha stewart logo
By Martha Stewart Editors Updated August 30, 2022
Skip gallery slides
Pin
good-things-family-tree-mld107860.jpg
Credit: Johnny Miller

Whether the sentiment is embossed, decked in ribbon, or expressed through a prized photograph, making a handmade holiday card is well worth the effort. Quiet evenings spent snipping ribbons and dusting paper with fine glitter will ease you into the busy holiday season, and your notes will surely become gifts in themselves, treasured long after the store-bought cards have come and gone.

The art of DIY Christmas cards is a treasure for the creator and recipient alike. This season, try your hand at one of our many ideas, which include button snowmen, accordion folded photos, unique embellishments, and glitter.

Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Glittered Photograph Card

glittered photo cards
Credit: Kirsten Francis

Photo cards are great for family updates, but they can feel like a mass mailer. For a personal pop, print them in black-and-white on card stock, or order them with a matte finish (for contrast). Then strategically dot on craft glue, sprinkle with glitter, tap o the excess, and let dry. Fill a sky with stars or snowflakes, bedeck a tree, or encrust a pet's collar—and lend a handmade feel, fast.

1 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cards with Dresden Embellishments

diy dresden holiday cards
Credit: Stephen Kent Johnson

Take a page out of the Victorian era's book and dress up simple cardstock with Dresdens, cut paper images that were once collected by children and adults alike and added to scrapbooks, gift packages, and more. They were historically used as holiday décor, too (they were pasted onto ornaments and festive notes!), which makes applying them to your annual greeting cards that much more appropriate.

2 of 13

3 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Springerle-Mold Cards

springerle mold cards
Credit: Ngoc Minh Ngo
The 11 Best Places to Order Your Christmas Cards Online

The tools you need to craft these cameo-like cards come from the kitchen: They're traditional European springerle-cookie molds. We filled them with pulp made from cotton-linter paper instead of dough, then glued the textured medallions onto cards. The finished pieces make graceful ornaments, as well: Trim the paper, leaving a border just wide enough to punch a hole in, and thread ribbon or wire through for hanging.

3 of 13

Advertisement

4 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Decoupaged Illustration Card

decoupaged card
Credit: Kirsten Francis

Send snail mail with a delight inside: Cut a piece of paper so it's sized to line an envelope, from base to tip. Then trim the top flap by inch so the adhesive strip shows. Slide the liner in, lift it up to brush glue onto the envelope, and lay it in place. Stick a coordinating cutout on the note for a dapper delivery.

4 of 13

5 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

3-D Christmas Tree Card

christmas tree cards and envelopes
Credit: Johnny Miller
Get the 3-D Christmas Tree Card How-To

As this card opens, a tree made from pleated paper rectangles pops out, like a small gift. Although it can be glued into any size greeting, it is especially attractive in a tall, slender card that mimics a pine tree's natural dimensions.

5 of 13

6 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Accordion-Fold Photo Card

accordion photo card
Credit: Johnny Miller

A three-part card delivers a pair of favorite photos, plus a simple greeting. For best results, use color photocopies or computer-paper printouts, which will make for a thinner stack than actual photographs.

To create yours, cut medium- to heavyweight art paper to the desired size, and fold, accordion-style, into three equal sections. Trim printouts or color photocopies of photographs so a 1/4-inch border of art paper shows around each. Use a thin layer of craft glue to attach photos in the first two sections and a printed message in the third.

6 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Yarn Cards

holiday cards made of yarn
Credit: Sang An

Luckily for yarn-card enthusiasts, the winter holidays offer plenty of symbols to play with: wreaths, snowmen, fir trees, snowflakes, mittens, candy canes, and more. Experiment with yarn in different colors, weights, and textures—even on the same card. A Christmas ornament requires only a couple of curves, and several graduated lengths of yarn render a tree.

When creating your own designs, practice on scratch paper, if desired. Lightly pencil your sketch onto a blank card or piece of card stock. Trace the drawing with craft glue in a bottle with a fine-tip applicator. Carefully place yarn on the glue. Let dry; snip away excess yarn.

7 of 13

8 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Embossed Holiday Cards

la102444_1106_cardsemb_l.jpg

Any bold, seasonal line drawing can be turned into a stamp for embossing cards. These are two examples of cards Martha created to send out during a recent holiday season.

You can use store-bought cards, or make your own from card stock. To begin, press a rubber stamp onto an embossing pad. Position the stamp over the card; apply firm, even pressure to transfer the design. Clean the stamp with a paper towel, then a stamp-cleaning pad.

Place the card on a paper plate; sprinkle embossing powder over the stamped design. Tap the card to remove excess powder, and reapply as needed to coat design. If there is stray powder on the card, very gently spray compressed air from a can fitted with an extension wand.

Working in sections, hold a heat gun 2 inches from the design and move the nozzle in a circular motion. The powder-covered areas will melt, creating a glossy finish. Continue until the entire design has melted. Gently wave the card three or four times to set the design. If the paper begins to curl, heat the back of the card, and fan it again.

Finally, place the card under a heavy book for five to 10 minutes (this will not smudge the design).

8 of 13

9 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Button Snowman Cards

gt043_buttoncar1_s.jpg

The cheerful forms of ordinary buttons lend themselves to adorable holiday greetings. Here, tiny knots and stitches of embroidery floss bring shirt-button snowmen to life.

Use embroidery floss to sew different-size white shirt buttons to a colored note card. Green French knots make buttons and eyes; a single stitch in red between two holes creates a mouth. Slide a bit of thin silk ribbon behind the top two buttons, then knot it into a scarf; trim the ends. Secure with craft glue.

Slide a second, slightly larger blank note card inside the first. Align as desired, then punch two holes along the folded edge using a micro-hole punch. String a ribbon through the holes; tie to secure.

9 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Rickrack Cards

gt02decmsl_rickrackcards.jpg

Rickrack—wavy cotton trim—is easily manipulated into seasonal symbols. Glue rickrack designs to blank cards, and use them as holiday greetings: Cut and paste strips of green for a Christmas tree, or trim segments of white for a snowflake. For striped designs, twist together two strands of equal width. The strands' shapes will keep them from unraveling.

10 of 13

11 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Evergreen Cards

a98313_1200_cards.jpg
Credit: Gentl and Hyers

Fresh sprigs of winter greens create artful silhouettes on handmade holiday cards. A light layer of white spray paint highlights the shapes of the branches against colored paper. With dots of craft glue and touches of fine glitter, you can add sparkling lifelike berries.

First, cut rectangles of colored art or construction paper. For thin paper, mount it to a card cut from heavier paper—apply a thin layer of spray mount; press papers together until dry. Choose a small, flat evergreen branch. (Arborvitae is naturally flat; spruce or another fuller type will need to be pressed first. Place the branch between heavy books, and leave in a dry place for about a week.)

Spray a thin layer of spray mount onto branch to serve as a temporary adhesive, then press it onto paper. Cover the entire card's surface with white spray paint, pull the branch off, and let paint dry. For a glittery card, realign branch; apply spray mount to entire card surface, then sprinkle with glitter. To add "berries" or a written greeting, make fine details with a fine-tip glue applicator, and sprinkle with glitter. Let dry completely.

11 of 13

12 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Reindeer Pop-Up Card

3063_120407_reindeercard.jpg
Get the Reindeer Pop-Up Card How-To

"On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, and Vixen!" Spread holiday cheer this season with this one-of-a-kind reindeer card. Download our printable templates for the reindeer's antlers, head and body, plus the pop-up card base. It's easy to make: Cut the outline from medium-weight paper using a craft knife, then use a knitting needle or bone folder to score the dotted lines.

12 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Holly Card

holly Christmas card
Credit: Luis Bruno

A sprig of holly springs to life from atop a store-bought plain note card. This project wouldn't fare well in the mail, so save it for greetings you're planning to deliver by hand.

Draw a holly leaf on cardboard to make a template; cut out. Trace template onto card stock in different shades of green to make eight leaves; cut out with a craft knife. Using a ruler and a bone folder, score each leaf down its center, as shown; lightly fold sides upward along the scored line.

Bend the top of each leaf away from its stem. Punch berries from red card stock using a hole punch. Cut a branch from brown card stock. Affix branch to a store-bought note card with craft glue; let dry. Add leaves, gluing only at the stems. Top with berries along branch.

13 of 13

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Martha Stewart Editors

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 13 Glittered Photograph Card
    2 of 13 Cards with Dresden Embellishments
    3 of 13 Springerle-Mold Cards
    4 of 13 Decoupaged Illustration Card
    5 of 13 3-D Christmas Tree Card
    6 of 13 Accordion-Fold Photo Card
    7 of 13 Yarn Cards
    8 of 13 Embossed Holiday Cards
    9 of 13 Button Snowman Cards
    10 of 13 Rickrack Cards
    11 of 13 Evergreen Cards
    12 of 13 Reindeer Pop-Up Card
    13 of 13 Holly Card

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    13 DIY Christmas Cards That Will Spread Some Homemade Holiday Cheer
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.