Green Greetings
Make these adorable mini wreath cards by twisting fresh greens or herbs like boxwood or a sprig of rosemary around a circle of wire. Then punch a hole in the center top of a piece of card stock and thread a piece of twine through the hole to attach the wreath to the card.
All Thumbs (With a Little Paint)
Here’s a fun, fast, and easy idea you can do with the kids. All you need is paper or card stock, acrylic paint in an array of colors, and a black Sharpie. Have your children make the thumbprint "lights" first; after they dry, use the pen to draw in the details.
Letter Perfect
Your friends and family will be delighted when they receive this card that doubles as a personalized tree ornament! You can decorate the initial with anything you like, such as recycled Christmas cards, wrapping paper, or newsprint. To make the personalized initials neatly, type them in and print them out at your desired size, then lay the photocopied letter over the decorative paper and cut both layers at the same time.
Buttoned Up
Anyone else have a box full of random buttons stowed away in a closet somewhere? Give them new purpose as the stars of this holiday card, created with nothing more than folded card stock (or even a manila folder), glue, and a couple of fine-point pens.
3-D DIY
All That and a Bag of (Paint) Chips
Here's a wonderful—and easy—way to repurpose all those paint chips that didn't make the cut. Let your imagination go: trees, ornaments, and snowmen all work in lots of different color schemes. These make great gift tags, too.
Tree-Lined Treats
These eye-catching tree designs are created by wrapping embroidery floss around cards that have been notched to hold your handiwork. Top your trees with hole-punched stars, affixed with double-sided tape. View the tutorial here.
A Bird’s-Eye View
This mixed-media design by Marian Parsons uses layering to achieve its unique look. Your bird of choice can come from a greeting card, a calendar, or thick wrapping paper. The branch is made from the broken scales of a pinecone, glued to the card as a perch for your bird.
Washi Wishes
Washi tape—a decorated lightweight paper tape from Japan—is taking up some significant floor space in craft stores these days. Using a few strips to position a family photo on a holiday card is a simple and cost-effective way to add some rustic charm to your message.
Stamped, Sealed, Delivered
Rubber stamps let you create great-looking cards in a snap. These colorful leaping reindeer were produced by a hand-carved, folk art–inspired stamp from Green Garden Stamps; the pigment ink is by ColorBox.
For More...
If you're interested in more holiday DIY projects, consider:
How To: Make a Pinecone Garland
How To: Make a Vintage Ornament Wreath
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