Get into the spirit of giving by crafting a festive handmade Christmas card. They're fun to make alone or with family, and the design options are endless.

Create one digitally and print it out, or craft one by hand using cardstock. No matter what you choose, your loved ones are sure to love the card as much as you do. Here's how to make a Christmas card unlike any you'd find in a store.

Materials and tools

Are you excited to get started? You'll need to gather a few essentials.

Cotton
8.5" x 11" cardstock paper (will fold to 5.7" x 8.75")
Green, red, and black fine-tipped permanent markers
Envelope (size 5" x 7")
Gold beads (optional)
Gold accessory stickers (optional)
Glue

Choosing a design and theme

Before designing your Christmas card, choose a theme to set the tone. This theme should reflect the style and emotions you want to convey.

A classic theme displays elements like snowmen or Christmas trees. A winter theme depicts snowflakes, snowy mountain ranges, or a crackling fireplace.

Other themes include:

Family
Christmas vacation
Humorous Christmas
Santa's workshop

How to make a DIY Christmas card: step-by-step guide

Now that you've chosen your theme, it's time to create your first card with a handmade Christmas card tutorial.

Step-by-step Christmas card making:

Step 1

Fold your cardstock in half. On the top half, which is now the front of the card, draw a Christmas-themed design. This will be the cover image.

Step 2

Use your marker to make Christmas-themed doodles on the blank space inside of your card. Handwrite a meaningful message on the inside of your card.

Step 3

Glue cotton to the front of the card and add other embellishments as desired.

If you drew the image of a Christmas tree, add a dot of green, gold, or red glitter glue to any ornaments on the trees. Glue gold beads to the tree (optional), or glue real pine needles all over the tree to add dimension.

Incorporating your favorite photos

To make your personalized Christmas card more memorable, add some photos. Print a high-quality image on one side of the card before folding it, or glue an image to the card afterward.

Remember to keep your theme in mind when choosing your photos.

Handmade vs. digital: Pros and cons

Crafting personalized holiday cards take time, but the result is often more memorable. Consider their pros and cons to help you choose between a handmade Christmas card and a digital one.

Handmade Christmas cards:

Pros: Highly personalized, creative, and thoughtful.
Cons: Time-consuming, and the cost of material can add up.

Digital Christmas cards:

Pros: Convenient to make, easy to send, cost-effective, and eco-friendly.
Cons: Missing that personal touch.

The choice between handmade and digital Christmas cards should depend on your preferences and time constraints.

Writing heartfelt messages

Including a heartfelt message in your Christmas card shows how much you care. It also warms the recipient's heart and brightens up their day. The following are ideas for heartfelt captions to include in your Christmas cards or photo books this year.

Heartfelt Christmas messages for couples:

"Thank you for reminding me what butterflies feel like."
"How could I be so lucky? I must have done something right."
"You are the best gift I've ever received."
"As I sit here surrounded by my family on Christmas Day, I feel so blessed to have you."

Family Christmas messages:

"Love, laughter, and good cheer — that's what our family Christmas is all about!"
"I don't know what I would do without my family. Thank you for being you."
"Christmastime is sweeter when spent with those you love."

Christmas messages for friends:

"Here's to a joyful holiday season spent with good company."
"I'm so lucky to spend Christmas with my amazing friends."
"Celebrating Christmas with my best friends — there's nothing better."
"Good company and festive food are surefire ways to get into the Christmas spirit."

Personalization tips

Tailor your card to suit the recipient's taste. If you have a friend who loves to laugh, use a humorous quote and a funny Christmas image to personalize their card. For a family member who likes to jet around the world, focus on travel themes and try to match their travel style.

Here are a few DIY holiday card ideas:

Use colored markers that complement your Christmas theme.
Experiment with playful emojis and stickers if you're designing a digital Christmas card.
Add a personalized greeting on the front of your card.
Use an image of you and the recipient.

Finishes and presentation options

How should you finish your Christmas card? It's your choice!

Keep it casual with a few embellishments along the border.
Get romantic and spray your favorite fragrance on the card. Then, add a bit of glitter or confetti before slipping it inside the envelope.
Present your masterpiece in a high-quality envelope and handwrite each address for a personal touch.

Troubleshooting

During the printing or embellishment stages, there's always a risk of damaging your DIY Christmas cards. Use the following suggestions as a guide to avoid these mistakes:

Avoid smudged prints: Allow your photos to dry before handling.
Remove rogue embellishments: If you place your decoration in the wrong spot, remove it while the glue is still wet. Allow the glue to dry, and reattach the trimming in the right area.
Plan your placement: Draw an x where you want to place embellishments or images. This minimizes the risk of putting them in the wrong spot.
Avoid grammatical errors: Write your message in pencil, and then trace it with a pen.

Make this Christmas a special one with Mixbook Studio

DIY Christmas cards are a labor of love and dedication. By following this guide, you'll be well on your way to designing a memorable keepsake your loved ones will cherish for years.

If you want to level up your Christmas cards this year, design one with Mixbook Studio.

Personalize every aspect of your Christmas card, from size to cardstock and font to background. Then, add flashy extras like gold foil or stickers to personalize it. Seal it with your favorite caption and add an image that takes center stage. Mixbook Studio also offers templates for New Year's cards, calendars, and more.

Spread the joy this holiday season by crafting your Mixbook creation today!