There are two basic ways to go about it, the two already hinted at: online and hardcopy. But even the hardcopy route need not be limited to hand making a card. You can still use the computer if that’s where your skills lie.

If you want to make a completely virtual card, your options are practically unlimited. There are dozens of sites that have templates from which you can choose. But better still is the huge array of clipart that you can take advantage of to design any kind of card you want.

For those with the interest and ability, you can make a card from scratch. Microsoft Publisher and many other drawing programs provide tools to select, mix and match, or draw from scratch a wide range of cards. You can create your own Christmas-themed logo, add self-written text and voila – your own individual card. Email it or print it on card stock and send it out to all your friends and family.

If you choose to go the hardcopy route, there are two basic options within this category, as well. You can design the card on the computer then print it out on card stock, as described above. Or, you can obtain the right materials and create the card completely from scratch.

There are several material options for a Christmas card. Basic card stock is sturdy, easily folded, and absorbs ink and glue well. But you can go with parchment for a more delicate look. Or, select a paper already printed with an elaborate design to which you add images and text of your own.

Christmas cards don’t have to be completely two dimensional either. With clever cutting techniques you can make a fold-out display in the shape of a skyline, an animal, a Nativity scene and others. Just fold the paper into four sections and draw the outline of the scene upside down on the two inner surfaces. Then cut carefully along the outline. When you separate the two outer parts, the inner parts will lift up, showing your scene.

Images don’t have to be limited to ink or paint, though those are fine choices. You can spray or apply glue to sections of the card in the shape of a logo or text. Then, sprinkle small confetti, glitter or other materials onto the surface. Allow it to dry and then shake the card to dislodge the parts not glued down.

For those who have the time and talent, drawing an image is very satisfying. Your own miniature pencil, ink or painted scene can be abstract or representational. You can draw a family member, a pet, a Christmas scene or any of the thousands more that flood your mind. The power of art is at your command to create meaning for you and your recipient.

The key is to start with a solid wreath form. These can be purchased or made.

Inexpensive wreath forms are available in Styrofoam, straw, wire and other materials. If you select one that’s Styrofoam or straw, it will be easy to stick small pins into the wreath form. That provides something to string reeds or other material onto. But other types work equally well.

Making your own wreath form isn’t terribly difficult. Start with two wire hangers, formed into circles. There are several ways to form them into the large donut-shape you’ll need. One of the easiest is to slide toilet paper or paper towel rolls down each wire. Glue the results together with strong glue and the cardboard-wire frame will provide a sturdy wreath form.

The wreath form can be decorated in a thousand ways.

If you have the right type of trees and bushes nearby, you can gather up pine branches, holly bush leaves and branches, or even just ordinary small birch or apple sticks. You’ll need a few dozen.

If the branches are too dry, soak them for a few hours before use. Then wind branch pieces about 8 inches long around the wreath form, twisting as you go. The idea is to wrap the ‘donut’ in a spiral fashion, moving partly horizontal toward the hole as you work your way around the wreath form. A layer or two covers the form and provides the basic color.

Now for the truly fun part: design and color selection.

Here you get to exercise your creativity to the utmost. You can select flowers, colorful leaves, berries or other natural materials in a dozen different shapes and shades.

Lavender works very well for the outer layer of a Christmas wreath. It’s supple and produces a delightful odor. But you could just as well use holly leaves and berries still on their branches. Some will prefer the dryer tone of oregano. Some may prefer the vibrant colors of Vitex or Bee Balm flowers.

Whichever you select, you’ll need plenty of glue and floral wire to place them.

Now that you have the wreath form and branch base, just festoon the wreath with herbs or flowers wherever you want color. Depending on what you select it may be easier to attach with wire or glue.

At this stage it’s possible to use pins to attach some, but that often leaves the problem of disguising the pin heads. Glue dries invisibly and wire can be purchased in a color that will disappear in the foliage. Work your way gradually around the wreath. If you want to be able to turn the wreath around, decorate both sides.

If you used a Styrofoam or straw wreath form, it’s easy to insert a wire hook to hang the wreath. If you used wire coat hangers you can use the curved ends of the hanger. But trim them down and re-bend them so they don’t stick up noticeably.

Enjoy!

Toilet Roll Reindeer

What would Christmas be without Santa’s reindeer? And they’re so easy to make using materials already on hand or a few that are easy to buy. Take the center cardboard from a toilet paper roll and stuff it full of tissue. That gives it support.

Now cut some strips of brown felt out of an 8 1/2 in x 11 in pad. Spread a little glue around the roll and layer on the felt. Don’t worry if it isn’t exactly flat. Deer skin is wrinkled near their arms, legs and neck anyway.

For the head you can use another roll cut to shape and glued to the body. Or you can use an ice cream stick to make a support for the neck, then bunch up some felt for the head and wrap it for the neck. Attach with glue. Then get some small black buttons for the eyes. Use brown or gray pipe cleaners for the legs and tail. To give the legs some thickness, just spiral the pipe cleaners around some brown tissue paper.

Eraser Mouse

Christmas mice are a tradition in stories. They always wander around looking for bits of cheese and listening to their grandparents tell stories of Christmas past. You can make some from bits of pencil eraser and hair.

Save those old pencils or buy some inexpensive erasers from an art supply house or craft site. Shaping them into a little mouse is easy. All you have to do is tack several small ones together into a body and head. Or, you can glue two larger ones together and shave the body into shape with an Xacto knife. Then do the same with the head.

A little bit of yarn will do nicely for tails and round confetti works great for eyes of all colors. Maybe you can get grandpa or grandma to donate a little bit of hair to the project. You only need a couple dozen strands an inch long. With scissors, chop it up into small pieces. Then spray the mouse body with a little bit of glue and sprinkle on the hair. Let it dry and hang on the tree or set the mice on shelves.

Bead Spider

A bag of glass or clear plastic beads from a craft site will get you started making your own spider to hang from the tree. Get the type that have holes through the center. String them along thin white pipe cleaners shaped like a spider. Simple!

To make it extra secure you can spray the result with a little glue and let dry before hanging. Then tie a piece of thread around the head and hang. Or, for something a little more elaborate, make a small web from white thread. String it from one small branch to the next and set your spider in the center.
Fun, inexpensive and easy to make, these are only a few of the Christmas ornaments you can create. Hang them on the tree, from the fireplace or set them in the windowsill. Have a great time!