20 Homemade Christmas Cards & Designs To Try This Year

Let’s be honest for a second: the pressure of sending holiday cards can be overwhelming. Store-bought cards often feel impersonal and expensive, but the idea of hand-making 50 cards usually sounds like a recipe for burnout. We’ve all been there—starting a project with high hopes and ending up covered in glitter with only three cards to show for it. 🎄

That is exactly why I created this list. My “Savior” solution is all about the 1-Hour Assembly Line strategy. These are curated, batch-ready designs using speed-materials like Washi tape and watercolors that allow you to create five cards in the time it usually takes to make one. Whether you love Scandinavian Minimalist clean lines or messy-chic kid crafts, these ideas will help you conquer your mailing list without breaking the bank. ✂️

Get ready to make beautiful memories (and a huge stack of cards) with zero stress! ✨

🎄 My Top 3 Favorites

Lowest Mess: The Washi Tape Geometric Tree
Most “High-End” Look: Minimalist Button Wreath
Best for Little Kids: Fingerprint Reindeer Herd

20 Easy DIY Christmas Cards Ideas You’ll Love

1. The Washi Tape Geometric Tree ❄️

This is my go-to when I need to make a lot of cards fast. It uses a modern, Scandinavian-style design where strips of patterned tape mimic a tree, requiring absolutely zero drying time.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Green Patterned Washi Tape • Kraft Cardstock • Gold Star Stickers	Best For: Batching (Speed) Time: 3 mins Mess Level: Low

💡 Pro-Tip: Place the tape on parchment paper first to cut clean angles before transferring them to the cardstock to avoid cutting the card itself.

[Image-1: Flat lay of 5 cards in a row showing slightly different tape patterns but the same tree shape on kraft paper.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: 40 Rolls Washi Tape Set, Gold Foil & Green Plant Patterns 🐦 Why I love it: Buying a variety pack gives you enough coordinating patterns to make 100+ unique trees without repeating designs! #NancyApproved

2. Minimalist Button Wreath ❄️

This design looks incredibly complex but is actually just a simple glue-and-stick job. The texture of the buttons creates a lovely, tactile experience that feels very rustic farmhouse.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Assorted Green Buttons • Tacky Glue • Red Ribbon	Best For: Using up scraps Time: 5 mins Mess Level: Low

💡 Pro-Tip: Use a wide-mouth mason jar lid as a stencil to trace your circle lightly before gluing to ensure a perfect wreath shape every time.

[Image-2: Close up of the texture of the buttons with a tiny real red ribbon bow glued at the bottom.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Resin Buttons Assorted Sizes and Colors (Green & Red Mix) – 600 Pcs 🐦 Why I love it: Local stores sell tiny packs, but this bulk bag of 600 is essential for batching wreaths where each card needs 20 buttons. #NancyApproved

3. 5-Minute Watercolor Baubles ❄️

If you want an artistic look, this wet-on-wet technique creates beautiful, unpredictable blends. It’s perfect for watercolor holiday cards for beginners because the water does the work for you.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Watercolor Set • Watercolor Paper Cards • Black Fine Liner	Best For: Beginners Time: 4 mins Mess Level: Med

💡 Pro-Tip: Leave a tiny dry spot (white space) on the “top” of the wet circle to mimic the reflection of light on glass ornaments.

[Image-3: A shot showing the “wet on wet” technique in progress, with pigment blooming in the water.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Strathmore Watercolor Cards and Envelopes, 5″ x 7″, 50 Pack 🐦 Why I love it: Regular cardstock warps with paint, but these pre-folded watercolor cards save you the hassle of cutting expensive art paper. #NancyApproved

4. Fingerprint Reindeer Herd ❄️

These are arguably the cutest handmade cards for kids to make. A row of simple brown thumbprints transforms into a reindeer herd with just a few pen strokes—perfect for grandparents!

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Brown Washable Paint • Fine Point Sharpie • Red Marker	Best For: Sentimental Keepsakes Time: 5 mins Mess Level: Med

💡 Pro-Tip: Have one child do all the thumbprints on 20 cards first. By the time they finish the 20th, the 1st is dry enough for the drawing phase.

[Image-4: A cute lineup of fingerprint reindeer with one having a red nose (Rudolph).]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Crayola Washable Kids Paint, 10 Count 🐦 Why I love it: I trust the “Washable” tag on this bulk pack way more than generic acrylics that stain clothes permanently! #NancyApproved

5. The “Spare Button” Snowman ❄️

This is a clean, dimensional design that toddlers can help with. Stacking three buttons creates an instant snowman character that pops off the white background.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• White Buttons (Assorted sizes) • Orange Marker • Glue	Best For: Toddlers Time: 3 mins Mess Level: Low

💡 Pro-Tip: Use a tiny scrap of actual fabric or ribbon for the scarf rather than drawing it; it adds a “mixed media” feel that elevates the value.

[Image-5: A minimalist white card with the button snowman popping out against the white background.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue 3-Pack 🐦 Why I love it: Tacky glue is thicker than school glue, so your buttons won’t slide down the page while drying! #NancyApproved

🎅 Quick Question!

Real tree or Artificial tree? Tell me in the comments!

6. Washi Tape Layered Gifts ❄️

Create a stack of colorful “presents” using scraps of tape. The overlap creates depth, and hand-drawing the bows adds a whimsical touch that makes these easy holiday card ideas shine.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Washi Tape (Various patterns) • Black Gel Pen	Best For: Vibrant colors Time: 3 mins Mess Level: Low

💡 Pro-Tip: Overlap the tape slightly to create depth, making it look like the gifts are stacked in front of one another.

[Image-6: A whimsical stack of wobbly “gifts” drawn on the front of a card.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Sakura Pigma Micron Blister Card Ink Pen Set, Black 🐦 Why I love it: These archival pens won’t bleed when writing over glossy tape or if the card gets damp in the mail. #NancyApproved

7. Watercolor Resist Snowflakes ❄️

This craft has a real “Wow” factor that kids adore. The white crayon resists the paint, making the snowflakes magically appear through the blue watercolor wash.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• White Crayon/Oil Pastel • Blue Liquid Watercolor • Large Brush	Best For: Kids Time: 5 mins Mess Level: High

💡 Pro-Tip: Tape the edges of the card down before painting to create a crisp, clean white border around your watercolor wash.

[Image-7: The “reveal” moment showing the paint gliding over the crayon to show the snowflake.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Sargent Art Liquid Watercolors, 8 oz, Blue 🐦 Why I love it: Liquid watercolor is much more vibrant and faster to apply for batching than dry pan sets. #NancyApproved

8. Rustic Twig & Button Tree ❄️

Perfect for nature lovers, this card uses real twigs for a Rustic Farmhouse vibe. The mix of natural wood and shiny green buttons looks incredibly professional.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Real Twigs • Green Buttons • Hot Glue Gun	Best For: Farmhouse style Time: 6 mins Mess Level: Med

💡 Pro-Tip: Bake twigs in the oven at low heat (200°F) for 20 mins to kill any bugs and dry the wood before gluing to paper.

[Image-8: A very rustic card on kraft paper with a real wood texture and shiny buttons.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Gorilla Dual Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun 🐦 Why I love it: For wood-to-paper connections, you absolutely need hot glue, and this model doesn’t jam like cheap craft store ones. #NancyApproved

9. 3D Paper Strip Tree ❄️

This is a fun, interactive card where the tree pops out! It’s a great way to use up green paper scraps and adds a surprising 3D element that recipients love.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Green Construction Paper • Glue Stick • Star sequin	Best For: Interactive cards Time: 7 mins Mess Level: Low

💡 Pro-Tip: Use a scoring tool or a dried-out ballpoint pen to make the fold lines crisp before folding the paper.

[Image-9: Side angle shot showing the dimension/pop-up effect of the tree.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: SunWorks Construction Paper, Holiday Green, 50 Sheets 🐦 Why I love it: Buying single color packs is crucial for batching—don’t waste money on variety packs where you only use two sheets! #NancyApproved

10. Q-Tip Pointillism Snowman ❄️

This sensory activity is fantastic for toddlers. Bundling Q-tips creates a “fluffy” stamped texture that makes the snowman look soft and snowy against blue cardstock.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Q-Tips • White Paint • Blue Cardstock • Rubber bands	Best For: Sensory activity Time: 4 mins Mess Level: Med

💡 Pro-Tip: Don’t over-saturate the Q-tips; dab them on a paper towel once before hitting the card to keep the dots distinct.

[Image-10: Close up of the “dotty” texture of the snowman.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Astrobrights Colored Cardstock, “Cool” Spectrum (Blues) 🐦 Why I love it: This high-quality cardstock doesn’t buckle under wet paint, which is a lifesaver for kid crafts. #NancyApproved

11. Ribbon Scrap Christmas Tree ❄️

If you have a drawer full of ribbon leftovers, this is the project for you. Mixing different patterns creates a cohesive tree that feels vintage and homey.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Green/Red Ribbon Scraps • Fabric Glue • Star Sticker	Best For: Texture lovers Time: 5 mins Mess Level: Low

💡 Pro-Tip: Cut the ribbon ends at a 45-degree angle to prevent fraying and give the tree a cleaner, more professional look.

[Image-11: A card featuring mixed patterns of ribbon (plaid, solid, polka dot) forming one cohesive tree.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Christmas Ribbon Roll Multi-Pack (Gingham, Burlap, Satin) 🐦 Why I love it: You get a bundle of 12 festive styles for the price of just two spools at a fabric store. #NancyApproved

12. Potato Stamp Ornaments ❄️

This is classic crafting at its best. Potato stamping is messy, fun, and creates a wonderfully imperfect, hand-printed look that is perfect for mass production.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Potatoes • Acrylic Paint • Black Marker	Best For: Cheap materials Time: 10 mins (setup) Mess Level: High

💡 Pro-Tip: Wipe the potato slice with a paper towel to remove excess starch and moisture before dipping in paint, or the paint will slide off.

[Image-12: A messy but artistic layout of stamped ornaments hanging from drawn strings.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set, 18 Colors 🐦 Why I love it: This is the most cost-effective paint on the market, and the 18-pack ensures you have every holiday shade you need. #NancyApproved

13. The “String Light” Fingerprints ❄️

This playful design is vibrant and chaotic in the best way. A squiggly line becomes festive lights with just a few colorful fingerprints, making it one of the easiest washi tape Christmas crafts alternatives.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Multi-colored paints • Black Sharpie • White Cardstock	Best For: Playful design Time: 3 mins Mess Level: Med

💡 Pro-Tip: Add a tiny white dot with a gel pen on each dried fingerprint to make the lights look shiny and reflective.

[Image-13: A horizontal card with a chaotic, colorful string of fingerprint lights.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Uni-Ball Signo Broad Point Gel Impact Pen White 🐦 Why I love it: This is widely considered the only white gel pen that actually writes opaquely over paint! #NancyApproved

14. Washi Tape Bunting Banner ❄️

Nothing says “celebration” like a bunting banner. Using washi tape folded over twine or a drawn line creates adorable miniature flags that are fast to assemble and look incredibly neat.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Washi Tape • Black Fine Liner • Baker’s Twine	Best For: Using scraps Time: 6 mins Mess Level: Low

💡 Pro-Tip: Actual baker’s twine glued down looks better than a drawn line. Glue the twine ends on the inside of the card for a clean finish.

[Image-14: Detailed shot of the miniature bunting hanging across the card.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Red and White Baker’s Twine (328 Feet) 🐦 Why I love it: You get hundreds of feet for a few dollars, enough to wrap gifts and make cards for years to come. #NancyApproved

15. Button Holly Berries ❄️

For a more elegant, traditional style, this card uses negative space and simple materials. The glossy red buttons act as berries against hand-drawn leaves.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Red Buttons (Small) • Green Marker/Brush Pen • Cardstock	Best For: Traditional style Time: 2 mins Mess Level: Low

💡 Pro-Tip: Sketch the leaves lightly with pencil first; holly leaves can be tricky to freehand symmetrically.

[Image-15: A clean white card with a single, elegant holly sprig in the center.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Markers, Green Tones 🐦 Why I love it: These markers allow you to create thick and thin calligraphy-style strokes, making your leaves look professional. #NancyApproved

16. Abstract Watercolor Trees (Wet-on-Dry) ❄️

These turn out so modern and stylish. By dropping dark paint into wet green triangles, you get depth without needing to be an artist. Perfect for fast batching.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Watercolor Pan Set • Round Brush • Watercolor Paper	Best For: Modern Art vibes Time: 3 mins Mess Level: Low

💡 Pro-Tip: Let the trees dry completely, then splatter white acrylic paint (using an old toothbrush) over them to create a “snowstorm” effect.

[Image-16: A forest of 3-4 abstract green triangles with paint splatters.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Prang Watercolor Set (Master Pack) 🐦 Why I love it: Prang offers the highest pigment quality for student-grade prices, and the bulk packs are a steal. #NancyApproved

17. Pipe Cleaner Candy Canes ❄️

Twisting pipe cleaners is great for preschooler motor skills. The result is a textured, fuzzy candy cane that adds a fun pop of color to any card.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Red & White Pipe Cleaners • Glue • Green Ribbon	Best For: Preschoolers Time: 4 mins Mess Level: Low

💡 Pro-Tip: Trim the “fuzz” of the pipe cleaner slightly at the ends so the metal wire doesn’t scratch the recipient or poke through the envelope.

[Image-17: Two candy canes crossed in an “X” shape glued to the card.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Chenille Stems / Pipe Cleaners 1000 Pcs Variety Pack 🐦 Why I love it: Buying a massive bulk pack like this allows for huge batching sessions or classroom projects. #NancyApproved

18. The “Confetti” Shaker Card (Simplified) ❄️

This is for the ambitious crafter who wants impressive results. A shaker card filled with sequins feels interactive and magical, like a snow globe in an envelope.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Cardstock • Confetti/Sequins • Ziploc Bags	Best For: Impressive results Time: 15 mins Mess Level: Med

💡 Pro-Tip: Instead of making confetti, use store-bought holiday sequins for more sparkle and less work. Use double-sided tape for an instant hold.

[Image-18: Action shot of someone shaking the card to see the snow/confetti move.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Christmas Confetti Sequins (Snowflakes, Reindeer, Trees) Bulk 🐦 Why I love it: It is tedious to punch holes manually; these pre-cut festive shapes look much more professional inside the shaker. #NancyApproved

19. Eraser Stamp Gift Stack ❄️

Use a simple pink eraser to stamp perfect squares, building a tall, wobbly tower of gifts. It’s geometric, neat, and unbelievably fast for bulk Christmas card supplies.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Pink Erasers • Ink Pad • Fine liner pen	Best For: Speed Time: 5 mins Mess Level: Low

💡 Pro-Tip: Use a nail file to slightly rough up the surface of the eraser before the first stamp; it helps hold the ink better.

[Image-19: A tall, wobbly tower of stamped square gifts.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Tsukineko Dew Drop Ink Pad Set (Christmas Colors) 🐦 Why I love it: These small teardrop pads are easier to apply to small stamps, and the set gives you a coordinated palette instantly. #NancyApproved

20. Cotton Ball Snow Cloud ❄️

This soft, tactile card is adorable for very young kids. The cotton balls create a fluffy cloud that looks sweet paired with glitter glue rain or snow.

📝 Key Materials	✨ Why It Works
• Cotton Balls • Liquid Glue • Blue Glitter Glue	Best For: Very young kids Time: 3 mins Mess Level: Low

💡 Pro-Tip: Don’t use the whole cotton ball. Unroll it and fluff it out to make it look wispy and realistic rather than a hard lump.

[Image-20: A cute card with a fluffy 3D cloud and glittery blue rain/snow falling.]

🛒 Buy on Amazon: Elmer’s Liquid Glitter Glue, Blue/Silver 🐦 Why I love it: Glitter glue pens are way less messy than loose glitter and allow you to draw precise snowflakes. #NancyApproved

Conclusion

There you have it—20 ways to crush your holiday to-do list without losing your mind! Whether you choose the minimalist Washi tape tree or the messy-fun potato stamps, you are saving money and sending a little piece of your heart with every envelope.

If you’re still wondering “how to make 50 Christmas cards quickly?” just remember: pick one design, set up an assembly line, and turn on a good holiday movie. You’ve got this, sweetie! Don’t forget to pin these ideas to your Christmas board so you’re ready when December hits. 📌🎅

20 Homemade Christmas Cards & Designs to Try This Year