Christmas Place Cards for Your Dinner Table

To complete your holiday table with style this year, try using place cards. These little items help everyone know just where to sit. You can make customized Christmas place cards at home cheaply in just a few minutes. Letting kids make the place cards is also a great way to get them involved in the holiday meal. These two versatile Christmas place card ideas will get you started, but don't be afraid to get creative and try some of the additions!

Wrapping Paper Christmas Place Cards

You'll Need:

A good hand at writing, or your choice of letter stencils

Wrapping paper, at least two styles

Heavy paper of a light color

Very light cardboard from the craft store.

Scissors

invisible tape

glue

ruler

pencil

glue stick

Metallic marker, thin tipped

Instructions:

1. Using your ruler and pencil, draw two rectangles on your light cardboard: one 3.5" long x 2.5" and one 3" x 2."

2.Cut enough of one wrapping paper to wrap the larger rectangle of cardboard as you would a gift, leaving one side free of seams or tape. To wrap, lay cardboard rectangle onto face-down wrapping paper. Fold sides and ends of paper to meet, and tape with a small piece of invisible tape. Repeat this step with a different type of paper for the smaller rectangle.

3.Using your glue stick, place a few stripes of glue to the "back" of the smaller wrapped rectangle. Attach the smaller rectangle to the larger, centering it. Both sides should have their clean, seamless side facing you.

4.Once again using your ruler, draw a 2.5" x 1.5" rectangle onto your heavy paper and cut out.

5.Attach the heavy paper to your two wrapped rectangles using your glue stick. Make sure to center it. This is your place card background.

6.Repeat this until you have one place card background for each guest.

7. Place the card in front of you, so that it's longer than it is tall. Using the metallic marker, write a different guest's name on each card. You can do this free hand, or use your stencil. If you're having problems keeping your lines straight, use a pencil to draw a very light guide line on which to write. Erase the line very gently after giving the marker time to set (at least 5 minutes). These are your completed place cards. Set one on each dinner plate for each guest.

Additional Ideas: You can spice uo these Christmas place cards quite easily. Use two different color metallic papers, or a solid and striped matching metallic papers, for a sophisticated flair. Attach a peppermint drop to each card with a small dab from your glue stick. Use glue to write your guests names, then sprinkle glitter over the glue and allow to dry for some real sparkle. For dramatic glitz, buy some clear or holiday colored "gems" from your local craft store, and attach a few with your glue stick.

Classic Place Cards for Christmas

You'll Need:

Paperboard, white or cream

Ruler

Pencil

Colored and/or metallic markers, thin-tipped

colored thin ribbon or metallic cord

Hole punch

Scissors

Instructions:

1.Using your pencil, lightly draw a 5" x 3" rectangle on your paperboard, and cut out using scissors.

2.Fold the rectangle in half, so that it measures 2.5" x 3."

3. Divide the card into thirds using your ruler by drawing to very small dots long the seam at each 1 /3 point. Punch two holes about 1 / 4" in in from the seam of the fold on each of the two dots.

4. Repeat these steps until you have enough place cards for each guest. Place cards in front of you, with the fold away from you. Open the card.

5. Using your marker, write a guest's name on the inside of each card. Write on the part of the card that is on the table, not the upper flap. Use your ruler to draw a very light guideline if you need it, then erase the line gently once the marker is dry.

6.Cut ribbon into 4" lengths. For each card, you'll use one length of ribbon or cord. Hold the card in front of you, with the folded side up. The writing should be on the inside of the card. The flap with the guest's name should be facing away from you. From the back of the card, thread one end of the ribbon through each of the punched holes. On the front of the card, tie in a bow.

7. Set a place card at each of your guest's plates, and you're done!

Additional Ideas: This is a simple, elegant place card with endless variations. Use charms on your ribbon for fun, or write a simple message such as "Merry Christmas" on the outside. Use gold or silver paper to make your cards for real shine, or have the children put holiday themed stickers on the front or inside of the card.