Christmas Cards for Your Kids to Make!
Christmas Cards for Your Kids to Make!
If your kids are like mine they love to give gifts but buying gifts for EVERYONE on your little person’s list (from grandma to the dog to the man in the moon) is impossible unless you are independently wealthy! If you are then stop reading this and immediately wire me a couple of million (lol)!
I always took my kids to a dollar store (the one’s where everything is literally a dollar) when they were younger to buy their gifts. But the usefulness and quality of the selections leave a little to be desired and after all – how many coffee mugs and “dust collectors” can one person use?
So, why not make a gift card that will last longer than the gift? If you have punches grab some wrapping paper, construction paper, glue, gift ribbon, buttons, yarn, etc. If you don’t have any punch outs you can acquire some punch outs on eBay or Listia.
This craft project costs you nothing but time to make the punch outs as you simply use materials like construction and wrapping paper and glue sticks – which every prudent mother has on-hand. I also like this craft project because it saves bits and pieces of paper (i.e.; the wrapping paper scraps) and crafting materials (ribbon “snips”, stray rhinestones, etc.) from the trash. I keep a jar beside my craft desk and I throw those scraps of ribbon, stray rhinestones and buttons, snips of fabric, and such. And when I am doing a project that requires bits I turn to this jar.
This also makes a great last minute gift (or even a “not-so-last-minute”) when combined with some handmade coupons for a kiss, a hug, 10 minutes of quiet time, clean room, trying a new vegetable, etc. If you are at a lost on how to get started there are some very good sites out there that will show you how. Find one on eHow; “How to Make a Printable Coupon Kids Can Give”. And find some great suggestion on what to put on your cards on Kids Love To Know “How to Your Own Coupons Your Parents”.
MATERIALS:
- Construction or scrapbook Paper
- Blank note cards (optional)
- Large envelopes (optional)
- Stamps (optional)
- Punches
- Scissors
- Glue sticks
- Markers, gel pen, metallic sharpies, crayons
- Other Materials: yarn, gift wrap ribbon, rick-rack, sequins, mini pom-poms, “paper” stickers, rhinestones
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Cut or help your child to cut a piece of construction paper in half then fold it to make a card. The cards can be any size but I found a note card size worked best for me. If making gift cards to attach to presents cut the paper into fourths then fold.
- Provide the paper materials to your child. Help them to make punch outs if needed.
- Save the reverse punches (the “hole” left behind in the paper). These make some really cute cards. For example; Punch out a row of evenly spaced hearts (make the first punch, then place the puncher edge touching the right edge of the hole and make the second punch, and so on). Apply glue “around” the holes and then glue a wrapping paper strip to the paper (design side down so the wrapping paper design shows through the heart shaped holes). Let dry and then cut the reverse punch strip off. Glue to the card.
- Let your kids decorate the outside of the cards the punches and embellishments. I have posted photos of some sample cards I made. Coordinate the cards with the wrapping paper if the card is to be placed on a gift.
- Help your kids write a personal message on the inside of the card and then let them sign it. If you are using a dark color of paper give them a metallic sliver Sharpie or gel marker to do this. Another option is to cut pieces of light colored construction paper slightly smaller than the card and glue it on the insides of the cards. Either write on it before your child glues it or allow the glue to dry before writing the message.
- Finish the card off perfectly with a stamp or sticker won the back. Or simply write something like “Buggal Cards” or “Made especially for you by Buggal”.
- Wrap the card with gift wrap and then delver it in person or put it in an envelope and mail to the recipient.
- Don’t forget to take photos for your scrapbook!
Thanks so much for taking a look. I’d LOVE to hear from you!
buggalcrafts
To make a REVERSE PUNCH STRIP, Punch out a row of evenly spaced hearts (make the first punch, then place the puncher edge touching the right edge of the hole and make the second punch, and so on).
Apply glue “around” the holes and then glue a wrapping paper strip to the paper (design side down so the wrapping paper design shows through the heart shaped holes).
Let dry and then cut the reverse punch strip off. Glue to the card.
Glue the strip to the card.
Snowflake Card: Save those mis-punched snowflakes then glue them to the edges of the card for a complete “snowy” look. I used 3 sizes of snowflake punches.
Holly Card: Run a line of glue across the card in a wavy pattern. Then glue a piece of yarn to the page. Let dry and then accent with holly and berries (martha Stewart Holly & Berries punch). The berries the punch makes are way small so I punch bigger berries with a regular hole punch..
Flower Card: Use rick-rack or use a zig-zag punch (EK Sucess) to make paper rick-rack for the stems. I used a comos punch to punch a flower from red construction paper and red gingham wrapping paper. Glue them together and glue a 1/2 inch round punch as the center. Glue to card and when dry bend the petal up to create a 3D effect.
Present Card: Simply glue ribbon in a criss-cross pattern and then use a jumbo Recollections tag punch to make a tag. Write a message on the tag and you’re done!.
Gingerbread Cameo: Glue a strip of ribbon to the card. I save the tail end scraps of ribbon rolls for this purpose. Glue a 2 inch cameo (EK Sucess) in the center of the card. Then glue a punch or place a sticker in the cameo.
Snowman Card: I used a McGill snoman punch to make these snowmen but you could just as easily use nesting cirle punches and stack them. Draw on the features and arms with markers.
buggalcrafts 