Christmas Card Ideas: Cool Online Choices & Imaginative Homemade Creations

One of my favorite traditions each year is choosing the perfect Christmas card to send to friends and family. My preference is for light-hearted, festive themes to bring a smile to each recipient. If you're looking for a fun Christmas Card idea, then check out the ideas in this article. I've provided some suggestions for both purchased cards and homemade cards.

Fun and Festive Christmas Card Ideas: Online Sources

Online retailers are a good way to create festive Christmas cards using your own photos. You can choose graphics, borders, and designs to suit your taste and mood. You are only limited by your imagination and budget. You can be naughty or nice. Thus, I present some of my favorite online sources of really fun and creative Christmas cards.

1. Holiday Snowglobes Cards by Photoworks

What it is: a trio of circle-shaped cards that are fastened together with a grommet. You can choose 2 photos to add to the Christmas card plus a message.

Pricing: Prices decreases as you order more cards. If you order under 20 cards, then they are about $4.95 per card. Includes envelopes. A little pricey, but very unique!

Any gotchas? These cards do require additional postage.

2. Recordable Cards by Snapfish

What it is: choose from 21 holiday designs and actually record your own message! Upload and use your own photo and customize text on the front, back, and inside of this Christmas card.

Pricing: $5.99 per card which includes envelope. Very pricey but a good choice for grandparents!

Any gotchas? Only available in 5 x 7 inch size

3. Rudy Card by Shutterfly

What it is: a fun, Rudolph inspired Christmas card that you can customize with your own picture and family name. The card has a light-blue background and a really cute brown reindeer silhouette with shiny red nose. The reindeer has ornaments hanging from his antlers.

Pricing: Prices decrease as you order more cards. The minimum order is 12 cards at $1.59 per card which includes envelope. This festive Christmas card is a great choice for a smaller budget.

Gotchas: This Christmas card comes with a preprinted message that you cannot edit. It is a one-sided card (not folded).

Fun and Festive Christmas Cards: Handmade Ideas

If you'd prefer to make your own fun and festive Christmas cards this year, then I have included several choices. These are great activities for families with children and are budget-friendly.

1. Handprint or Footprint Christmas Card

Use your child's handprint or footprint to create a special keepsake. Purchase fun Christmas themed paper plus a co-ordinating color of solid paper from a local craft store. For example, try solid red paper matched with candy-cane striped paper.

Next, apply a layer of paint to your child's hand or foot and gently press into the solid colored paper. Cut the solid colored paper with print once dried into a rectangle shape. Cut the co-ordinating patterned paper into a slightly larger rectangle. Glue together so the solid paper is on top. Have your child write a message inside the card and add a photo.

2. Thumbprint Snowflake Christmas Cards

This fun and festive Christmas card idea also uses colored paper and paint. Use white paint in this project and choose dark blue paper for your background. Cut out a rectangle-shaped card. Dip your child's thumb into the white paint and dab it over the top 2/3 of the card to create snow.

Then, have your child paint a snowman on the bottom of the card. Add silver glitter to the paint before it dries for a really fun and sparkly effect. Add a message to the inside of the card and include a photo.