2 Easy Ways to Make Christmas Cards

Sending Christmas cards is one of the simplest ways to let your friends and family know that you are thinking of them this Christmas. However, cards can be expensive, especially if you have a long mailing list. Cut your costs by making Christmas cards yourself out of basic craft supplies, many of which you likely already have on hand. The process can take some time, but the recipients will appreciate the care you put into the handmade cards.

1. Ribbon-Wrapped Card

   • 1
     Fold a piece of card stock in half. Trim it, if needed, to fit inside the size of envelope you plan to use.
   • 2
     Select a scrap of ribbon that is twice the width and twice the height of the front of your card, plus allow at least 8 inches to tie into a bow.
   • 3
     Cut a slit measuring about 1/8-inch wider than the ribbon halfway down the foldline of the card.
   • 4
     Slip one end of the piece of ribbon through the slit in the card. Bring the end on the ribbon that is outside of the card to the inside by bringing it across the front of the card. Hold the ribbon ends together on the inside cover of the card. Twist the ribbons around each other so they are vertical in opposite directions, and bring them around the top and bottom edges of the card so they meet on the front of the card. It should look like it does when you wrap a package, except you are just wrapping the top section of the card.
   • 5
     Tie the ribbon ends into a bow in the center-front of the card. The end result is the cover, or front page, of the card looks like you wrapped a gift with a ribbon.

   Ribbon Tree Card

   • 1
     Fold and trim a piece of card stock to fit in your envelope.
   • 2
     Cut four or more scraps of ribbon to different lengths. The longest should be no more than three-fourths the width of the card and the shortest should be about 1/2 inch to 1 inch long.
   • 3
     Arrange the ribbons on the front of the card to form a Christmas tree shape. Each ribbon stretches horizontally across the card, and they are arranged in size order, with the longest at the bottom and the shortest at the top.
   • 4
     Tape the ends of the ribbon lightly to the card with drafting tape. This will hold them in place temporarily.
   • 5
     Sew a vertical line down the center of card's cover with a sewing machine. Tie off the thread on the inside cover and trim the ends of the thread.