Christmas Card Ideas to Make

Making your own Christmas cards is fun and shows your friends and family how much you care. Here are three holiday card ideas which are easy and inexpensive to make.

'Joy' Stained Glass Window Christmas Card

You will need: Black construction paper

Scissors

Tape or Glue

Colored Tissue Paper

Gold thread

This holiday card idea recreates the look of stained glass and can be hung in a window.

Start with a piece of black construction paper the size of the card you want to create. (This is not a folding card.) Write the word 'Joy' in large print letters across the center of the card. Make sure that there is space between the letters so that they do not touch. Stencil letters can help you to get a more polished design.

Next, use your scissors to cut out the letters. Do not cut into the black paper which separates the letters. This should leave you with a black 'frame' with the word 'JOY' cut out.

Finally, cut colored tissue paper shapes to fit the cut-outs. Glue or tape them on to the back of the card so that the word 'Joy' appears in color, framed by black.

Make a small hole in the top of the construction paper frame. Attach a string so that the card can be hung in a window. The light will shine through the tissue paper so that it looks like stained glass.

There are many more complex variations to this project. For instance, you can use a more complicated phrase such as 'Merry Christmas' or 'Noel'. Also, you can use a duplicate piece of black construction paper on the back to make it look more finished.

Another idea is to add more colorful cut-out shapes surrounding the 'Joy' design.

Jingle Bells Christmas Present Card

You will need:

Heavy card paper

Festive ribbons

Craft glue

Small bells

Glitter

If you like Christmas cards with sound effects, try this idea.

Fold a piece of heavy duty paper to create the card. The card paper can be a festive color of your choice. I like white, green, red or gold.

Next, cut and glue a piece of ribbon horizontally across the center of the card. Cut and glue another piece of ribbon vertically across the center. Cut more ribbon, string it with a bell or two and tie it into a pretty bow. Glue the bow in the center of the card. The visual effect is as if you are looking down on a big Christmas present. Decorate the Christmas card with glitter to give it extra sparkle.

Christmas Tree Card

A Christmas tree is one of the most popular choices of holiday cards and for good reason. Christmas trees are so much fun to decorate! This holiday card will not disappoint.

You will need:

Heavy card paper

Green, brown and red felt

Craft glue

Glitter, sequins, beads, etc.

Foil star stickers

Fold the heavy paper in half to create a Christmas card. Next, cut a Christmas tree shape from the felt. Use green felt for the green foliage and brown felt for the trunk. Finish off with a pot for the Christmas tree using red felt. Glue the felt shapes on to the front of the card to create your Christmas tree.

Next, it is time to decorate! Glue beads, glitter, sequins, etc. on to the Christmas tree. Top it off with a foil star sticker.