As the holiday season approaches, the tradition of family holiday cards continues. While ordering your cards online is certainly a convenient way to send out cards to the many friends and family members on your holiday list, nothing quite beats making your own cards. If you’d like to add a homemade touch to your family holiday cards this year, here are a few DIY tutorials that will help you make the perfect creations.
1. What is a Family Holiday Card?
The holiday season is a great time to reconnect with friends and family. With social distancing it may be difficult to see family in person, but there are plenty of ways to stay connected. Sending family holiday cards is one way to show your loved ones you are thinking of them during this special time of year!
DIY holiday cards are a great way to create a meaningful message to your loved ones this season. Here are a few great ideas for making the perfect card:
- Choose a design that is special for your family. Gather pictures of your family, favorite quotes, or special holiday memories and create a collage or personalized message to share with your loved ones.
- Keep it simple. A basic card with a handwritten message is the perfect way to spread holiday cheer.
- Add an extra personal touch. Include ribbon, buttons, ribbons, stickers, stamps, or anything else that you think would make your card special.
- Encourage your family to create their own. Ask your family to write their own messages or create drawings for the card.
Making a family holiday card is a great way to show your family how much you care. With a bit of creativity and a personal touch, you can make something that your family will cherish!
2. Benefits of Creating Your Own Holiday Card
1. Great Way to Express Creativity: Making your own holiday cards lets you express your creative side. Whether you use traditional paper and pens or modern graphics design software, the process of making something truly unique is deeply fulfilling. You can draw, paint, or create a card design that involves a combination of all these mediums - it’s completely up to you! Furthermore, using creative materials like yarn, paint chips, or wood can make for a very beautiful and attractive card.
2. Personal Touch: Making your own cards will help add a much more personal touch that can be hard to achieve with a store-bought card. You can write a special message to the recipient that comes from the heart and gives the card a much more genuine feeling than something you buy off the shelf. Another advantage is that you can still get what you need to make the card very easily, yet it still gives that high-quality feel that making it yourself produces.
3. Perfect Photo: Having the ability to make your own cards using photographs gives you the opportunity of finding the perfect image. Whether it’s uploading your own photograph or choosing one from a vast selection of photos available online, having the power of choosing the image that best suits you is completely in your hands. Furthermore, you can use fun and colorful effects that help make the card even more special.
4. Unique Experience: Making your own holiday cards is something that the whole family can do as a fun activity. It’s a great way to get everyone together and involved in the holiday season, while still making something truly special. The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that everyone will gain from this is an unique experience – one that can be reflected and treasured every year.
3. Creative Tips for Making a DIY Holiday Card
1. Pick a Special Photo – Browse through your family photos and choose a picture of everyone that really captures the spirit of the season. If you don’t have a great photo already, why not set aside some time for a mini-photoshoot together? You can even add a festive backdrop with seasonal decorations.
2. Design Your Own Background – Using paper, paint, glitter, sequins and other materials, let your creativity shine and make your own DIY card background! You can also use a plain white or colored cardstock and draw a winter scene with markers or add simple shapes like Christmas trees and snowflakes. Let your imagination run wild.
3. Add the Message – At the end of the card, don’t forget to put in your own personal holiday message or even a funny caption that really sums up your family this holiday season. If you’re not sure what to write, check out some online resources where you can either type out the message of your choice or borrow phrases from other cards.
4. Get Festive – Now it’s time to start decorating! Add a few embellishments to make your homemade card extra special. Use colorful ribbons, snowflakes, ornaments and other festive trinkets to really dress it up. If you prefer a vintage look, antique buttons, metallic thread and other antique items create a subtle classic feel.
5. Send It Out – Once it’s all finished, seal it up and mail your card or hand deliver them to family and friends. Enjoy the holidays knowing that you’ve wished your near and dear ones by giving them a truly unique, homemade card that really shows off your creativity!
4. Quality Tips for Printing at Home
Creating personalized holiday cards for your family can be a fun project and it’s easy to do from the comfort of your own home. Here are four tips to get the highest quality cards without a professional printing service.
- Ensure the right stock. Make sure you have the right kind of paper for the holiday cards. You’ll need a paper stock that’s thick enough to bear the ink and resist any warping and smudging. If you want to up the luxurious factor, get paper with a matte or gloss finish.
- Proofread. When your cards are ready, proofread them to make sure there are no typos or errors. It’s best to have a few sets of eyes looking over them as mistakes can be easy to miss.
- Keep files print-ready. Make sure your print-ready files have the right resolution and scale. This is important as a low-resolution image can result in blurred text and visuals.
- Choose the right printer. Choose a printer that can handle the size and paper type you need. It should also have features like borderless printing and duplex capability. By getting the right printer you can help ensure a smooth printing process.
Following these steps can help you print custom holiday cards while saving your family time and money. Create a fun and personal holiday cards your family will love with a little help from these DIY tips.
5. Tips for Creating Holiday Photo Cards
1. Pick a Picture
Before you begin designing your photo holiday card, you need to decide on the perfect image. Choosing the right photo can make or break your card, so pick an image that will capture the attention of your family and friends. Make sure the photo reflects the theme of your family and your holiday season. If you’re struggling to find the perfect photo, have some fun with it and take a few pictures.
2. Personalize It
Adding a personal touch to your family holiday card is a great way to make it unique and special. There are a variety of ways to do this, from adding some fun and festive text to including favorite quotes or memories. Get creative with your message and make sure it reflects your family’s unique personality.
3. Get Creative
Your holiday photo card doesn’t have to be a simple 4×6 photo. Get creative with the design and add some flair with unique shapes, colors and fonts. If creating the card yourself seems a bit overwhelming, there are plenty of online sites and apps you can use to create professional-looking cards with ease.
4. Add Some Extras
Your photo holiday card doesn’t have to be just a one-off image. Spice up your card by adding some extras such as colorful stickers, bright ribbons and holiday-themed accents. You can also include a link to a fun family video, recipe or gift. Adding these simple extras will make your card even more unique and memorable.
5. Choose Quality
To ensure everyone receives a high-quality card, be sure to select the right type and weight of paper when printing. Cardstock is thicker and more durable than regular paper, so it will help protect the card and make it last longer. If you’re not sure which paper to use, ask your printer or take a sample to the store to test out.
6. Supplies Needed for Homemade Holiday Cards
Making homemade holiday cards is a great way to add a personal touch to your seasonal greetings. Whether it’s a card for your closest friends or your entire family, here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Cardstock – for crafting cards with a sturdier base
- Printable holiday images – includes a variety of winter themes, animals, decorations, and holiday messages
- Decorative materials – such as snowflakes, ribbons, glitter, gems, buttons, pom poms, etc.
For supplies that last even longer, you can use fabric for making patchwork cards, and felt for a softer, traditional holiday vibe. For younger kids, a little bit of paint and elastic threads can add fun and interactive activities to your card-making process.
With a variety of materials and ideas, you can make the right holiday cards for your family! It’s sure to be a crafty and enjoyable way to celebrate the season.
7. Different Types of Holiday Cards to Consider
Printed Photos: Going the traditional route, you can choose to print a photo of your family for your card. You can take a photo of the family yourself at home or go outside and take pictures of the family in an outdoor setting. Either way, make sure you have access to a quality printer for the best results.
Create Your Own Design: For a unique, personalized card, you can create one from scratch. Depending on your artistic abilities, you can use Photoshop and your own photos to create a custom card. Add in your own text, graphics, and images to the design and then print your cards.
Funny Cards: If your family is more on the humorous side, you might want to consider funny cards. Whether it’s a joke, a pun, or the classic “ugly sweater” photo card, funny cards can show off your family’s personality. Shop around and find the one that best suits your family.
Religious Cards: If you want to express your holiday appreciation in a more meaningful way, focusing on the religious aspect is one way to do so. From traditional prayers to heartfelt messages, religious cards are great way to send a message of faith.
Collage Cards: Not sure which photo to choose or if you have multiple photos you want to share? Then a collage card might be the best option for you. Pick some of your favorite photos of the family or pick the best ones from the year and create an eye-catching holiday collage card.
Unique Cards: Think outside of the box and try something creative. You can make a pop-up card, a book card, a jigsaw card, or even a shaker card. There are plenty of tutorials online so you can find some instructions and start making the card that’s right for you.
Hand-Drawn Cards: Crafting a card from scratch doesn’t have to involve physical paper or digital design programs. You can also make a card completely with hand-drawing. All you need are some art supplies and your creativity to create a fun and unique holiday card for your family.
8. Gathering Ideas for Writing Your Own Greeting Message
- Brainstorm with your family: Before you start writing your own unique greeting message, why not take some time to brainstorm ideas with your family? Talk and come up with some topics that capture your feelings towards each other and focus on the things you love about it.
- Take note of family milestones: Make sure to properly document any family milestones or special accomplishments that contributed to your re-connection. If you’d like to add a humorous note to your message, by all means, feel free to do so.
- Write down meaningful moments: If you have any special memories, favorite activities or inside jokes between family members, writing them down can be a great way to bring back the feeling of togetherness with the people you miss most.
- Be creative with your words: If coding the perfect Christmas card isn’t your strong suit, don’t be afraid to get creative with your words. You can even use some unique verse, rhymes and even song lyrics to express your love for your family and friends.
- Include some fun photos: Add a special touch to your greeting card by including some fun photos or holiday memories in your design. Not only will it make your card stand out, it’ll give your card a more personal feel.
With these tips, you’ll be sure to have a great start on creating a unique and heartfelt message for every family member this holiday season. Even though we’re far apart, the beauty of DIY holiday cards helps remind us of how connected we are, despite physical distance.
9. Ideas for Saving Money on Family Holiday Cards
1. Personalize Cards With Photos and Artwork – Bring a personal touch to holiday cards with custom photos of your family, your home, or DIY artwork. You can create one yourself with a digital camera or smartphone, or have photos printed professionally.
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Write Your Own Card – Rather than buy boxed sets of pre-written cards, consider DIYing your own. Buy cardstock and use your favorite pens or marker to create one-of-a-kind cards with your own unique wording.
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Share Your Hobbies – If your family has a lot of members who share the same hobby, have them share pictures of themselves doing what they love and put them together in a collage. This way, you can create stunning cards to share with your family and friends.
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Use Free Greeting Templates – There are plenty of free and easy-to-use online templates available to help you create your own cards. All you need to do is drop in text and pictures using a few clicks, and then add a personal touch.
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Go Vintage – Get out the scrapbooking supplies, paper punches, and ribbons and go vintage with your cards. Use postcards from old postcard collections or vintage images and add a handmade touch with paper flowers or other items.
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Go Green – With the help of design technology, you can create photo cards that don’t need to be printed and shipped. Include a link to your custom design online and email it to friends and family to send your holiday wishes. You can even use online sites like Minted or Smilebox to send digital cards.
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Shop Smart Online – If you decide to purchase holiday cards, there are plenty of online sites that offer affordable options. Do a little comparison shopping to see which site gives you the best deal on the quantity and quality of the cards you come up with.
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Create a Group Card – Put together a family group card to send to your family and friends. Get creative and fill it with pictures, personal messages, quotes and jokes. This is a great way to show your love and appreciation to everyone without breaking the bank.
10. Making the Most of Your Holiday Card Memories
No matter where you and your family decide to take your holiday photos and create your holiday cards, there are a few tips to keep in mind to give off that homemade touch.
1. Personalize It
Whether on the card itself or within the photo you put on the card, try to add some personal elements, such as a family pet, a pet phrase or slogan that has special meaning, or a family heirloom, to make it truly your own.
2. Put Your Talents to Work
If you have a knack for crafting, take a stab at making your own card holder out of scrapbooking paper, or fold one out of colorful cardstock!
3. Pick Out a Perfect Theme
Choose a holiday-themed wallpaper for the card’s background, or a font that conveys your family’s personality. If you printed out an image of your family at the beach for your beach-themed holiday card, use a beach-inspired font or add a beach quote in the corner of the card for an extra touch.
4. Hand-Write It
Although many people may use a digital font that looks like handwriting, it still takes away from that personal touch that you get from writing your own card. Plus, you can take this opportunity to express your feelings in a way that you may not be able to in everyday conversation.
5. Take Your Pick of Extras
- Decorate your envelopes with ribbons, glitter and stencils.
- Add a small holiday-themed gift inside your card.
- Tie a personalized message to a balloon.
- Include a photo of your family inside the card.
- Make sure to add a special note within the message of the card.
Just a few simple homemade touches can take your holiday cards from merely adequate to something truly memorable that your friends and family will look forward to receiving each year.
Future Outlook
With a DIY approach, you can make this holiday season a meaningful one by creating beautiful family holiday cards to share with your loved ones. Showing your appreciation with a unique way to celebrate your family can make your holiday cards even more memorable. So get crafty and put a little love into your homemade holiday cards — you won’t regret it!