10-Minute-Craft: D.I.Y Holiday Cards
Every year I make a batch of handmade cards to give to family and friends during the holidays. There is one design, in particular, that I use over and over again. It’s so simple and only takes 10 minutes to make. Let’s get into it!
Materials
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Blank Cards/Envelopes
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Paint Chip Color Samples and/or Decorative paper
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Decorative Washi Tape (optional)
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Glue Stick
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Scissors
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Fine-tipped pen
Instructions
The idea is simple: A Christmas tree with presents underneath it. I’ll show you how to achieve the basic design. You can get as creative as you wish with the details. I like to stray away from the typical red/green color palette and mix things up for a more unique look. Keep reading for step by step instructions.
First, gather your paint chips (these are found in home improvement stores in the paint section, they are FREE and come in every color you could imagine!). You can also use decorative paper for the front layer of the tree and a solid color for the back. Either way, choose two colors/prints you want to work with.
Next, cut out a triangle for the first layer of your tree. Using the same paper, cut out a small square. This will be the “base” of the tree.
Then, choose a color to be the background layer of your tree, cut out another (slightly larger) triangle. I like to hold the first triangle on top to get the right sizing.
Good job! Next, glue down the back layer of your tree first. Tip* Use a paperweight to keep your card from popping up off of the table. I’m using a crystal here. 🙂
Now, glue the front layer of your tree on top, centering it on the background triangle. Stick the square on the bottom so that it looks like the base of your tree, like so:
Your card is already looking so cute! Let’s add some gifts underneath the tree now. Grab some different colored/patterned paper. The gifts look best if they are different than the tree. You can also use decorative washi tape to make the gifts.
Cut out one rectangle, one square (washi tape is great for this), and one bottle shape, just to mix it up! While you’re at it, cut out a star for the top of your tree. Use a fine tipped pen to draw the shapes on the underside of your paper before cutting, if you’d like.
Glue the gifts and bottle under the tree, and glue the star on top. I like to make the star look like it’s floating. Leave a little bit of space above the gifts so that you can add some details.
Almost done! Let’s add some details. Grab your fine-tipped pen for this part. Add bows on top of your gifts, and “sparks” around the star.
…And 10 minutes later, you’re done!
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I can’t wait to see your designs. Send me a pic of your cards here. Or tag me on Instagram with #whatjoiknows to be featured on my page! Thanks so much for reading. 🙂
Until next time, Happy Holidays!
Photographer: Melanie Page, to see more of her work visit pagethedirector.com
Beckee
December 15, 2017 at 9:58 pmSo cute and such a great idea with the paint samples!! Love those things ❤️💕❤️
D'Ana Joi
December 17, 2017 at 2:11 pmHi Beckee!
Thanks so much for reading 🙂 and yes, those paint chips are such an awesome hack for crafts of all sorts! xo
thehouseplantmomma
December 17, 2017 at 6:24 pmI totally love this idea!! I feel like I could turn this into a project for my kids, too, if I simplified it! Thank you so much for sharing!
D'Ana Joi
December 18, 2017 at 8:54 amHey Allison!
Yes this would be a great lesson about shapes for kids. Triangle, rectangle, square etc. and you could just cut out the shapes before hand. Great idea! Thanks for reading 🙂
Adrienne Bruner
December 18, 2017 at 9:07 amSo cute! I need to do this!
D'Ana Joi
December 18, 2017 at 9:21 amIf you end up making them pls send me photo or use #whatjoiknows on Instagram, so I can see! 🙂
Criddlemethis
December 18, 2017 at 11:28 amThese are such cute and simple cards. Homemade always makes it more personal!
Cristina
https://criddlemethis.com/
D'Ana Joi
December 18, 2017 at 11:46 amThank you! Yes handmade is the way to go. 🙂
doreenh73
December 18, 2017 at 1:26 pmLovely! Thanks for sharing!
tachira wiltshire
December 18, 2017 at 3:29 pmBeautiful and easy to make, next year I will try my hand at making some cards instead of buying them. Thanks for the creative inspiration,
D'Ana Joi
December 18, 2017 at 11:23 pmOnce you go handmade it’s hard to go back! 🙂 thank you so much for reading.
itskathrynjane
December 18, 2017 at 5:05 pmWhat great holiday cards.!! Love christmas crafts, they are just extra fun to do especially with your children. Thanks so much for sharing.!!
D'Ana Joi
December 18, 2017 at 11:24 pmYes it’s something to look forward to each year for sure. 🙂
storybookerin
December 18, 2017 at 5:59 pmcute! I get a handmade card each year from a friend and it’s so special! I wish I had the time to do that.
D'Ana Joi
December 18, 2017 at 11:22 pmYou only need 10 mins or less for this simple design. Give it a try!
lucicoo
December 20, 2017 at 11:58 amThat’s a really great idea. I think my niece would love do this during her Christmas break.
D'Ana Joi
December 20, 2017 at 9:26 pmAw for sure! Have fun with it 🙂
DeAndrea Ashanelle
December 21, 2017 at 11:49 amGreat way to give Christmas cards without breaking the bank.
D'Ana Joi
December 21, 2017 at 1:08 pmTotally and handmade is more special too. 🙂
My's Elegance
December 21, 2017 at 7:26 pmI love these. I would be so happy if I got one. They came out so good!
D'Ana Joi
December 21, 2017 at 10:31 pmThanks so much!!
Aïchatou Bella
December 21, 2017 at 8:30 pmThese are so cute! I need to get back into crafting because this just warmed my creative heart up!
xx,
Aïchatou Bella
http://www.stilettosandstandards.com
D'Ana Joi
December 21, 2017 at 10:32 pmAw I’m glad to hear that! A simple paper craft like this is a great way to be creative 🙂
Aitza B
December 22, 2017 at 9:20 amWhere was this/you when I was in college. I love giving Christmas cards. This would have been such a personalised way to do so.
D'Ana Joi
December 22, 2017 at 3:08 pmHaha aw yeah that’s true it would be a cool gift for college friends. But it’s not too late to get crafty. I’m thinking of doing another tutorial for Valentine’s Day cards 🙂
Taylor
December 22, 2017 at 9:45 amThis is so creative and heartfelt! I bought my cards this year but next year I’m definitely hand making mine!
D'Ana Joi
December 22, 2017 at 3:08 pmThat’s great! Now you will know ahead of time what to do for next year! Check back in Feb for some handmade Valentine’s Cards ideas 🙂
Gwen
December 24, 2017 at 8:00 amSo cute!
D'Ana Joi
December 24, 2017 at 11:58 amThanks, Gwen!