by Laurie Childree

Created on: August 10, 2009

Christmas is the time of year when you have had a tree up for months. It's got lights and decorations all over it. There are decorations and lights all over the house, the stockings are hung up over the mantle and presents are carefully wrapped. You even send out cards for Christmas. Those little cards allow you to let those that can't be with you to remember that you are still thinking of them. What if money is tight around Christmas? Making your own Christmas cards is simple and will save you some money come the holiday season.

There are a couple of ways to make Christmas cards. How they are made will depend on the age of the person, (whether it's you or your child making them) and much access you have to the needed supplies. What do you need to make your own Christmas cards?

Computer (optional)
Printer (optional)
Photo paper or card stock in a variety of colors
Pictures
Markers
Glue
Scissors

If you have a computer with a printer you can print Christmas cards out on photo paper or card stock. This will give them a neater appearance. You can use a computer program to design the card and incorporate your Christmas message. It's easier to incorporate the family photo into the cards that you send if you use a computer program and printer. You can design as many varieties of cards as you like. This allows you to send everyone a different card. You have to make sure that you have an envelope and postage to send the cards.

If you don't have access to a printer it's OK. You can still make Christmas cards. Fold the card stock in half long ways, fold a second piece the same way. With the folds in place write your message on the card begin careful not to write where you're going to put your pictures. It won't do you any good to write it out just to cover it up. Then glue the pieces together, next take a family or other photo and use picture glue to put it on the outside of the paper. Once you have the paper glued together along with the photo you have to give it time to dry. Once it's dried you can cut away any extra pieces of paper so that the card fits into the envelope properly.

When kids are making the cards simply fold on sheet of paper. Then allow them to write whatever message they want and decorate it themselves. If you have stencil you can design the card into a Christmas tree or ornament so that's it's a little more decorative. There are dozens of ideas for Christmas cards that you make yourself, you're only limited by your imagination.

Learn more about this author, Laurie Childree.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.