Handmade Christmas Card Ideas

So… I’m a slacker this year.  I mean, I’m really trying to get ready for Christmas, but my daughter’s birthday was last weekend and our basement flooded and… the list goes on.  I didn’t send a big batch of cards this year, and instead, I’ve opted for making cards especially to send back to the friends who still send cards as well.  Which pretty much means that they’re all last-minute, easy Christmas cards.  I’m going to share how embossing can make any card pop (even the extra-easy ones!) with these handmade Christmas card ideas.

I love making handmade cards, but so often, the detail that goes into them and the time it takes prevents me from doing very many.  Also, those cards for my card-giving friends?  Yeah, they haven’t hit the mail yet.  So don’t feel bad if you’re a last-minute card giver like me!  I think you’ll like these ideas – I shared this project last month at the Consumer Crafts blog, Crafts Unleashed, and they really are easy. So let’s make our last minute cards together!  I’ll leave links below to the supplies I used, in case you still need to do some shopping.

I’ll break these two cards down into separate projects, so you can focus on the look you like best (or read up on them both!

Snow Globe Handmade Christmas Card:

• Manual Die-Cutting Machine (I’m using the Sizzix Big Shot)
• Tim Holtz Nostalgic A2 Cards
• Snow Globe Die
• Snowflake Trim Embossing Folder
• Favorite Stamp(s) and Ink (or a photo to put inside)
• Glue Dots
• Scrap of Clear Plastic Sheet, like shrink plastic, or re-purpose plastic packaging (optional)
• Spectrum Aqua Markers (optional)

First, place the front of your card inside the snowflake embossing folder.  You can wrap the backside of the card around the back of the folder to keep it flat.  Then, roll it through your die cutting machine.  (If you’re using the Sizzix Big Shot like I am, set your tab to #1).

Next, use the medium circle from the snow globe die set to cut a circle in the top half of the front of your card.  You can just open the card up so that you only cut through the top layer.

Next, die-cut your snowglobe base in a coordinating color.  I opted for brown, to give it a warm, wood feel.  Before you pop the base out of the die, you can take a moment to color the openings in with a watercolor marker to give the base some depth.  The die itself makes a great stencil.

Optionally, use the large circle die to cut a circle of clear plastic, to make the snow globe look more “glassy”.  (You can even dab some white paint on it if you’re good at that sort of thing!)  I just used glue dots to attach the circle, and then adhere the base on the front of the card.

Finally, I used a Christmas tree stamp inside the card to show through!  You can add whatever kind of design you like – add snowflakes, or a photo of the family – this is where you can really make the card your own!

The end result is a card that you can assemble in under 10 minutes that’s unlike any store-bought cards your friends will receive this year.

Think that’s still a little more than you want to do?  Well, this next card is even easier.  It’s like a one-minute card!

Embossed Copper Handmade Christmas Card:

• Sizzix Big Shot (or again, your favorite manual machine)
• Merry Christmas Verse Embossing Folder
• Tim Holtz Metallic A2 Cards

Just like the Christmas card above, you’ll slip the front of the card into the embossing folder, and wrap the backside of the card around the back of the embossing folder.  For this card, alignment is important so try not to shift it as you run it through your embossing machine.

The beautiful texture says everything you need, and it’s got amazing shine.  And best yet?  This card only takes a minute!  If you’re a sucker for foil Christmas cards (like I am) then this is a really fun one that definitely gets noticed with practically NO effort on your part.  You can even switch them up, and use other embossing folders for totally different looks.

I hope you’re having a wonderful December, and that these ideas motivate you you make a few handmade Christmas cards this year.  People really do appreciate them!

I’ll see you guys again soon ~