If you’re dreaming of creating handmade cards that sparkle with classic Christmas charm, this Handmade Merry Christmas Card Idea is the perfect project to try. Using the Ornamental Christmas Bundle from Stampin’ Up!®, you can make an elegant holiday card that feels traditional, yet so easy to put together you’ll be tempted to make a whole stack for friends and family.
The moment I stamped those beautiful evergreen trees, I knew this card would become one of my go-to designs this season. There’s something so timeless about Real Red paired with rich Pretty Peacock and the cozy depth of Early Espresso. It’s festive without being fussy — the kind of handmade card that makes the recipient instantly smile and feel remembered.
For this card, I started with a Real Red cardstock base, layered with a strip of Country Woods Designer Series Paper for a rustic touch, and then added two die-cut trees, using the Stampin’ Up! Cut & Emboss Machine and the Ornamental Christmas Dies. A crisp white circle provides the perfect spot for the bold “Merry Christmas” greeting, and that shiny red ribbon? It’s the finishing touch that ties everything together.
Whether you’re a seasoned stamper or just starting your holiday crafting, this project is a wonderful reminder that handmade doesn’t have to mean complicated. The coordinating stamps and dies make it effortless to create a card that looks detailed and professional — even if you’re short on time.
Let’s Talk About Color
Color plays such a big role in setting the mood for your handmade cards, and this combination of Real Red, Pretty Peacock, and Early Espresso is one of my favorites for Christmas.
- Real Red brings the warmth and joy of the season.
- Pretty Peacock adds a sophisticated pop of teal that complements the greenery perfectly.
- Early Espresso grounds the entire design and gives it a cozy, rustic touch.
Together, these hues strike the perfect balance between elegant and cheerful — exactly what you want in a handmade Christmas card.
Cardmaking Tips
- Add a bit of sparkle by using Traditional Sparkling Sequins as ornaments on the trees.
- For a bolder look, sponge a bit of Pretty Peacock ink around the tree edges before adhering them.
- When cutting your circle die, try experimenting with different layering backgrounds — silver foil or embossed cardstock would make a stunning variation!
Why You’ll Love This Project
This simple design proves that elegant doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few key products, you can create cards that look like you spent hours — even if it only took 15 minutes! And best of all, it’s easy to adapt this layout for other occasions: swap the sentiment, change the colors, and you’ve got a whole new look.
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Let’s Stamp!
So grab your favorite warm drink, cue up your favorite Christmas playlist, and give this design a try. There’s just something magical about creating handmade holiday cards that will brighten someone’s mailbox this season.
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I appreciate you dropping by! My mission is to inspire you with card tutorials that are as fun to make as they are to give. If you’re curious about the specifics of crafting today’s design, just send me an email. Want more papercrafting ideas? Join my Facebook Community today.
Handmade Ornamental Christmas Card
Supplies Needed
- Real Red Cardstock: 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" Scored at 4-1/4
- Basic White Cardstock: 4" x 5-1/4" (2 pieces; one for die-cutting)
- Country Woods Designer Paper: 3" x 4-1/8"
Instructions
- Fold the Real Red cardstock in half at the score line to create the card base.
- Adhere one of the 4" x 5-1/4" pieces of Basic White Cardstock to the inside of the card.
- Using the other piece of Basic White Cardstock, stamp 2 of the trees using Pretty Peacock ink, and the sentiment using Real Red ink. (Make sure to leave room for die-cutting)
- Run the cardstock through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine and die-cut the trees using the Ornamental Christmas coordinating die. Cut the sentiment using the large circle die from the Ornamental Christmas dies.
- Adhere the sentiment circle to the right side of the Country Woods Designer Paper. Wrap the Real Red ribbon around the bottom of the Country Woods Designer Paper and tie into a knot just below the sentiment. Adhere to the top of the front of the card base, about 1/2" down from the top of the card.
- Adhere the two die-cut trees to the front of the card using Stampin' Dimensionals, as shown in the sample.
- To finish, add Real Red Traditional Sparkling Sequins onto the trees as desired.
Notes
Worker Bee projects are designed for the crafter who has a bit more time and enjoys creating a handmade card that features a technique or tool. In many cases, a Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine is required for die-cutting and/or embossing.
