Not a Pinteresting-ly awesome crafter? Don’t add Martha Stewart-level art-making expectations to your list of holiday stress. We’ve got you covered with instructions for some of the easiest (and most adorable) DIY Christmas photo cards and Hanukkah cards a parent could create. Don’t worry – all of our suggestions are super cost-friendly.

Sweet Snow Globes 

Christmas cards aren’t always flat rectangles made from red and green paper. Treat your loved ones to something special with this sweet, snowy holiday card design. These holiday cards make cute keepsakes and are environmentally friendly. That’s right, you’ll reuse more than just pics of your littles in this Christmas-y craft!

What You’ll Need

Instructions 

Photo Flame Menorah 

Celebrate Hanukkah with crafty DIY menorah greeting cards. This project works with both individual baby photos and family photos.

What You’ll Need 

Instructions

Artsy Option 

Step up your card design style with an artsy black-and-white greeting. Christmas cards aren’t always in color. If you’ve sent the same old brightly-hued holiday cards year after year, try a subtle approach with a film school-ish feel. And don’t worry if you haven’t hired a pro to snap super-stylized black-and-white pics of your baby yet. Through the magic of your smartphone, you can turn almost any full-color photo into a black-and-white masterpiece.

What You’ll Need

Instructions 

“Oops” Outtake Holiday Cards 

I’m sure that the adorable newborn photos of your baby boy or baby girl have already scored the coveted special spot on your mantle or dot your stairway wall.  But what happened to the outtakes? You know what I’m talking about – the photos of your baby sneezing, your toddler accidentally knocking the paci out of your newborn’s mouth, or the family portrait that the dog photobombed. The real-life stuff! These playful pictures are ready to see their day and become part of your family’s holiday traditions.

What You’ll Need 

Instructions 

Snow People Holiday Greetings 

Your baby’s precious face deserves the spotlight! Highlight your little one’s sweet smile with this snowman craft card.

What You’ll Need

Instructions 

More DIY Holiday Photo Card Ideas 

The crafting doesn’t have to stop here – you can take the holiday season to the next level and embark on a day full of card-making with your family. Here are some more ideas:  Attach a paper tab to the back of your baby’s photo. Glue the tab to the middle of the card to create a surprise pop-up.  Cut a holiday-themed shape, such as a candy cane or a present, from red or green cardstock. Glue the baby photo of your choice to the paper, punch a hole at the top, and thread a gold ribbon through the hole to make an ornament hanger.  Turn your baby’s picture into Santa’s face! Print an 8x10-inch image and cut the face into a circle. Glue the photo onto a piece of card. Add a cotton beard and a red felt hat. Turn the card over to write your holiday greeting.  Don’t have a family portrait to send? Don’t worry! Collage together different photos to make one holiday card. Get creatively silly and choose old photos of yourself and your spouse/partner from years ago.  Use white paper to make an oversized snowflake. Glue a photo of your little one at the center and write a holiday greeting on the edges.  Instead of finger painting, sponge paint a menorah. Add your baby’s face as the flames or place the picture in the middle of the card as a playful pop-up. Use a template to trace a dreidel shape onto a piece of cardstock. Cut the dreidel out. Cover the entire front of the card with a family photo collage. Use the blank back to write a Hanukkah greeting.  Turn index card-sized pieces of paper into Hanukkah (or Christmas) presents. Add a real ribbon to the card and make a name tag that features your little one’s smiling face.  Paint craft sticks with red and white stripes to represent candy canes. Glue the candy cane sticks to the border of a 4x6-inch baby photo. Add cardboard to the back for support.   Find a few baby photos from your first holiday season. Craft a photo card that compares ‘then and now’ or ‘parent and child.’ Glue your pic side-by-side with your child’s Christmas print.   

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