Easy Handmade Merry & Bright Christmas Card

You know how much you can save when you DIY your Christmas. That is often easier said than done. Time constraints are one of the biggest barriers to a do-it-yourself Christmas. That’s why I’m going to be sharing project ideas with you throughout the season that are easy and fast. The first of these projects is this easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card. It is a lot of steps but they go really quickly. Excluding the dry time, it comes together in 5 minutes and the drying is hands-off so you can get other DIY projects done while you wait.

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This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

 

[bctt tweet=”This easy handmade Merry & Bright #Christmascard lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.” username=”diyadulation”]

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Materials

*The Christmas Memories Stack is no longer made. If you don’t already own it you can search on Ebay but you can also use this similar pack in the same fashion. Choose a pretty background paper to replace the gold snowflake paper and choose a phrase tag and journaling tag to embellish as I did.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 1

First, pull a sheet of the gold snowflake paper out of your Christmas Memories stack.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 2

Next, use your gray card to measure and cut your paper with a paper cutter.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 3

Turn your card 90º and use it to measure your cut snowflake paper strip and again cut with a paper cutter.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 4

Set your card aside and use the rectangle from step 3 as a guide to measure and cut your second rectangle.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 5

Now add glue to the front of your card in an “X” as pictured with your glue runner.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 6

Next, attach one rectangle of gold snowflake paper to the front of your card.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 7

Add a second “X” of glue to the back of your card.

Step 8

Attach your second rectangle of gold snowflake paper to the back of your card.

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Tip:

  • Leave a small space at the fold of your card so that the attached papers don’t hit each other when opening the card.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 9

Next, pull out a sheet of the tag paper from your Christmas Memories stack.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 10

Cut out the “Merry & Bright” tag and the button journaling tag.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 11

Add red Stickles to the candy cane and button on the “Merry & Bright” tag.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 12

Also add red Stickles to the berries on the journaling tag.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 13

Next, add gold Stickles to the star on the “Merry & Bright” tag.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 14

Lastly, add Glossy Accents to the letters on the “Merry & Bright” tag.

Step 15

Set the “Merry & Bright” tag aside to dry.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 16

Now thread your red button onto your twine.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 17

Cut the twine and thread the cut end through the second hole on your button.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 18

Next, tie your twine in a knot to secure it to your button.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 19

Trim the ends of your twine as pictured.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 20

Add glue to the back of your button.

Note:

  • The back of your button is the side without the knot.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 21

Attach your button over the picture of a button on the journaling tag.

Step 22

Set the journaling tag to the side to dry.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 23

Open up with your card and chalk the entire inside with gray.

Step 24

Fold your card in half inside out (with the gold snowflake sides facing each other).

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 25

Next ink the outside edges of the inside bottom with cranberry pigment ink.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 26

Then ink over the gray chalk on the inside top of card with chocolate brown ink. On the bottom, only ink the edges as you did with the cranberry ink.

Step 27

Fold your card the correct way again.

**Important**

Don’t move on until your tags are completely dry.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 28

Add an “X” with your glue runner on the back of your “Merry & Bright” tag.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 29

Attach your “Merry & Bright” tag to the front of your card at an angle as pictured.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 30

Next, add a 3-D Christmas embellishment to the top right corner of your “Merry & Bright” tag.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Step 31

Lastly, attach your journal tag to the inside of your card, centered in the bottom.

 

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Once you have finished your easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card all that is left for you to do is fill out the journaling tag and mail it. Friends and family will delight at such a heartfelt card this year. You will delight at the low-impact is has on your holiday budget. If you haven’t set your Christmas budget for this year, check out Be a Christmas Gift Queen on a Budget. There you’ll find tips and a printable to rock your holiday on a budget.

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

This easy handmade Merry & Bright Christmas card lets you save money on a DIY Christmas without devoting every free hour of your time to creating it.

Create Memories with Your Advent Gifts

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

As you read in Unique DIY Advent Mailboxes, I love to weave activities into our Advent gifts. I also love to create beautiful packages to delight the kiddos no matter what’s inside. This is easier than you might think. Get awesome ideas to create memories with your Advent gifts or feel free to steal our exacting gifting schedule this season!

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

 

[bctt tweet=”Find out how to make memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad @OrientalTrading #advent” username=”diyadulation”]

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Advent Packages Materials

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 1

Organize your gifts from the stocking stuffer pack by type. This will allow you to determine how many of each item you have and decide which ones you want to use as gifts.

Step 2

Write it down. Number a sheet of paper from 1-24 and determine what gifts and activities will be given on specific dates.

Tip:

  • Be sure when choosing gifts to check that they fit in your Advent mailboxes.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 3

Create pouches for the gifts using your scrapbook paper. To do this, measure the gifts on the paper. Cut a strip that is an inch wider than the gift.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 4

Next, fold the strip of paper in half.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 5

Unfold the paper and add double-sided tape to the edges of your pouch.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 6

Fold your paper back up and press on the taped edges to seal.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 7

Once your pouch is sealed, fold your top down and punch 2 holes in the top center of your pouch. See picture for reference.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 8

Next add your gift to the pouch and fold the flap back down.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 9

Cut a length of curling ribbon and thread it through the punched holes.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 10

Lastly, tie the ribbon in a bow to secure.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 11

Before putting your gift in a basket to store, number it with the appropriate date with your bronze Sharpie.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 12

Continue steps 3-11 until all of your gifts are wrapped and labeled.

Advent Activities

For these gifts I simply write the activity on a strip of paper and attach a piece of candy with a piece of double-sided tape. The exception to this is the “Minivan Express” which is our family’s favorite Christmas tradition. You can read more about it at the link above and also get free printable tickets there. She provides you with multiple ideas for your Minivan express night. Our family goes to look at Christmas lights in our area each year. I also choose to make our tickets because it is something I enjoy. You do not have to take the time to do this. However, if you would like to make your own this year I’ve made it super easy:

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 1

Cut a red piece of 12×12 paper from your Christmas pack into 3 even strips.

Note:

  • This will make 3 tickets. If you have more children, you will need to cut an additional sheet.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 2

Fold each strip of paper in half and place double-sided tape on the white sides (or use a glue runner). Press firmly to secure.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 3

Color the edges of your tickets with your bronze Sharpie.

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Tip:

  • Get crisp, even lines by folding a scrap piece of paper over the ticket leaving only the edge you want to color exposed.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 4

Next, write, “Minivan Express: Good for 1 Round-Trip” in the center of each ticket also with your bronze Sharpie.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

Step 5 (Optional)

Because of the surprise element of the Minivan Express (we hide the tickets under the pillows for them to find at bedtime on the pre-determined night), the Advent gift for this day is the kaleidoscopes. Christmas lights look really cool when you look at them through the kaleidoscopes so this gift will be fun when your kids open it and then extra fun on the Minivan Express.

 

Advent is more than a countdown to Christmas in our home. Find out how to create memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad

As promised, before you go, here is our exact Advent schedule this year. Feel free to steal ideas from it for your own family.

  1. Coloring Set
  2. Christmas Family Game Night
  3. Bracelets
  4. Candy
  5. Make Ornaments
  6. Card Games
  7. Punch Balloon
  8. Festival of Lights
  9. Kick Sack
  10. Candy
  11. Mazes
  12. Make Gingerbread Houses
  13. Rubber Ducks
  14. Puzzles
  15. Christmas Movie Night
  16. Candy
  17. Kaleidoscopes (Minivan Express)
  18. Candy
  19. Yo-yo’s
  20. Christmas Campout
  21. Coloring Books
  22. Christmas Photo Booth Night
  23. Candy
  24. Read The Night Before Christmas

Now that you are ready to create memories with your Advent gifts I want to hear from you. What is your favorite Advent activity? Let me hear about your traditions in the comments and don’t forget to check out Oriental Trading for all of your Christmas needs this year!

Looking for a deal at Oriental Trading? Visit their coupon page for the latest in sales.

See where I’m linking up!

12 Ways to Make Christmas Magical

Wow! Can you believe how fast this month is flying by? It is already time for day 10 in our 12 Days of Christmas Ideas Series and today, Megan is sharing 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids this year. There are loads of ways that you can do this though, I have one friend who was keen to go to the Christmas Tree Lightening event in Rockefeller Center. She had her eye on the events in Manhattan for weeks before she booked anything. But for her that was the right way to celebrate Christmas and maybe that’s something that you would be interested in doing as well. It’s up to you to be honest. You might be more like me and prefer the simpler things in life when it comes to celebrating Christmas.

Who’s excited for Christmas!?!?!

Join us for the 12 Days of Christmas Ideas Series along with eleven more talented bloggers. We’ve rounded up the best of the best Christmas ideas to make your holiday season more festive and fun.

Every day December 1-12th we will be sharing a new collection of Christmas Ideas rounded up from our best blogging friends around the web. That’s a total of 144 awesome Christmas Ideas to make your holiday season easier and more fun! Some of our topics include Decor, DIY, Organization, Food, Games and so much more. We don’t want to spoil the fun by telling you too much. We want you to be surprised! Now is the perfect time to subscribe so you’ll be the first to know!

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

Meet The Hostesses

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

Shirley of Intelligent Domestications ~ Erlene of My Pinterventures ~ Lindsay of Crazy Organized

Michelle of Our Crafty Mom ~ Stephanie of The Tip Toe Fairy ~ Lorelai of Life With Lorelai

Katie of The Organized Dream ~ Amanda of The Kolb Corner ~ Marie of DIY Adulation

Megan of C’mon Get Crafty ~ Sara of Twelve On Main ~ Kim of Made in a Day

 

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

12 Ways to Make Christmas Magical

I absolutely love Christmas. Growing up, it was always my favorite time of year, the shinging light in the midst of brutal Chicago winters. Our family tradition was to get everyone together on Christmas Eve at my family’s ancestral home (over 100 years old and counting!) for a big extended family Christmas.

There was food and laughter and it was tradition to watch the 1966 How the Grinch Stole Christmas right after dinner. We never got to finish it, since as soon as little Max started up that hill, there would come a booming knock on the door and the jingle of sleigh bells, as Santa came in with a sack full of presents!

I love creating these kinds of long lasting memories for my children, and today’s post is designed to help you do the same.

[bctt tweet=”Today, Megan is sharing 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids this year. There are loads of ways that you can do this though, I have one friend who was keen to go to the Christmas tree light up in rockerfeller center. She had her eye on the events in manhatten for weeks before she booked anything. But for her that was the right way to celebrate Christmas and maybe that’s something that you would be interested in doing as well. It’s up to you to be honest. You might be more like me and prefer the simpler things in life when it comes to celebrating Christmas. #12daysofChristmas” username=”diyadulation”]

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

So let’s make some magic!

#1 A Shameless Plug But Oh So Fun

Elf on the Shelf Ideas - Plenty of fun ideas for your Elf this season! Links to printables as well!

Yes, this one is mine, but I also spent years creating fun (and basic) Elf on the Shelf Ideas for you….plus I made a whole batch of free printables for you! You can’t beat that. 😉

#2 Secret Good Deeds

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

This Santa Secret Service tradition from The Dating Divas is such a wonderful idea! Very creative way to teach kids about being responsible and charitable.

#3 Santa’s Mailbox

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

Sunny Day Family has an easy and fun craft for kids to work on – a Santa Mailbox for all those changing Christmas lists!

#4 Random Acts of Kindness Cootie Catcher

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

This Random Acts of Kindness Cootie Catcher from Bren Did reminds me of all those fun paper games we played as kids!

#5 Grow Your Own Candy Canes

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

Part of making Christmas magical for kids is to invite them to be whimsical and to believe anything is possible. So why wouldn’t you be able to grow candy canes like Growing a Jeweled Rose?

#6 Christmas Eve Surprise Box

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

Start a fun new tradition with your kids by gifting them these Christmas Eve Boxes from Money Saving Sisters!

#7 Christmas Countdown Box

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

Speaking of boxes, this Christmas Countdown Box from Teach Me Mommy would help keep the magic of Christmas alive every day leading up to it!

#8 Make Your Own Play Snow

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

Whether you live in a warm climate without snow, or just don’t want to freeze in the real stuff, this play snow from Huckleberry Love definitely promotes some Christmas magic – can you say indoor snowman??

#9 Baking Soda Gingerbread Ornaments

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

Christmas cookies are sort of a holiday staple of traditions, but what if you made cookies you could keep? These Baking Soda Gingerbread Ornaments from My Pinterventures look good enough to eat, but last much longer!

#10 Puzzle Piece Holiday Wreath

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

Dazzle While Frazzled has a fun activity for you and the kids both with this festive puzzle piece wreath!

#11 DIY Elf Coat

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

Is your Elf feeling chilled? Get the kids together and make him a coat with this easy tutorial from Exquisitely Unremarkable!

#12 Elf on the Shelf Printable Calendar

Christmas is a special time of year, and I love seeing my kids' excitement over the wonder of it all. I've rounded up 12 ways to make Christmas magical for your kids! Check out some new ideas for this season!

Speaking of that whimsical Elf, you can keep yours hopping with a Printable Calendar from Time Saving Mom so you never run out of ideas or forget to move him!

Don’t forget to come back tomorrow for Day Eleven!

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