24+ Christmas Card Ideas | Funny, Cute & For Kids

Christmas cards have been sent since the 1600s, with the first commercial cards appearing in the 1800s. Nowadays, you can easily find a huge variety of cards for sale in stores and online. But if you want to send truly unique Christmas cards to family and friends, you may want to create your own.

This article shares 24+ DIY Christmas card ideas. Find funny and cute ideas, ideas for kids, and ideas for different artistic mediums like watercolor and photography. You’ll also learn how AI tools—like QuillBot’s AI image generator—can help you in your card creation.

Christmas card ideas

What type of Christmas card ideas are you looking to make? Before you start gathering ideas, consider these questions:

• What approach do you want to take—traditional, funny, cute, etc.?
• Who is the recipient—an adult or a child?
• Who’s going to make this card—an adult, a teen, or a child?
• How are they going to make it—with digital tools, paper and paint, etc.?

Not sure? Try browsing these Christmas card ideas to see what inspires you.

Traditional Christmas card ideas

A traditional Christmas card typically incorporates timeless imagery (e.g., trees, wreaths, nativity scenes, snow, and candles) and classic Christmas colors (e.g., red, green, and gold).  These designs feel warm, familiar, and classic, making them suitable for anyone.

1. Vintage Christmas tree

This vintage tree design is great for digital cards, and it’s also fairly easy to replicate by hand using markers or colored pencils.

AI prompt: “A retro 1950s-style Christmas tree illustration with bold colors, a textured print effect, classic ornaments, and a nostalgic holiday greeting card style.”

2. Holly wreath

A wreath is a classic Christmas symbol, and it’s a versatile design you can render with nearly every artistic medium. The candle glow may be harder to

AI prompt: “A warm, traditional Christmas illustration featuring a glowing candle surrounded by holly leaves and red berries, soft golden light, gentle shadows, a classic holiday palette, and an elegant and peaceful mood, suitable for a traditional Christmas card.”

3. Christmas sleigh ride

A cozy Christmas sleigh ride conveys the warmth and magic of a white Christmas. This idea may be challenging for some; if you are not an experienced painter, why not use digital art to create your card?

AI prompt: “An oil painting-style Victorian-era winter scene. Include a red or green sleigh gliding over fresh white snow, a horse wearing a brass-bell harness, passengers bundled in tartan blankets, snow-draped pine trees, and light snowfall for atmosphere.”

Other traditional Christmas card ideas:

• The Nativity and/or Epiphany scene(s)
• Angels playing music or carrying candles
• Deer and/or winter birds in a wintery forest
• Vintage Santa and reindeer
• Stockings hung over a lit fireplace

Cute Christmas card ideas

Cute cards lean into charm—small animals, sweet scenes, soft colors, and friendly characters. These are great for kids or anyone who appreciates an adorable aesthetic.

4. Woodland Christmas celebration

Foxes, owls, and other animals in scarves or hats instantly create an endearing mood.

AI prompt: “Adorable chibi illustration of forest animals (foxes, rabbits, badgers, birds, squirrels, etc.) wearing Santa hats, their oversized eyes looking at a woodland Christmas tree. Use soft snowflakes and a pastel kawaii Christmas palette to render this ultra-cute holiday illustration.”

5. Gingerbread gift exchange

How can you make a gift exchange cute and whimsical? Use gingerbread people instead of real people.

AI prompt: “Gingerbread people exchanging gifts on a tabletop covered with flour that looks like snow. Render this in a 1950s children’s book illustration style, with textured paper, muted retro colors, and warm nostalgic lighting.”

6. Marshmallow party

This cute Christmas card idea puts a cute spin on Christmas cocoa with personification—instead of just sweet treats, the marshmallows are the stars of the show.

AI prompt: “Handmade clay-style cocoa mugs full of hot cocoa with candy-cane handles.  The marshmallows are characters with big expressive eyes. They are jumping and playing in the mugs of cocoa. Render this in a 3D animated film style, with soft studio lighting and warm Christmas colors.”

Other cute Christmas card ideas:

• A winter fox sleeping under a beautiful Christmas tree, dreaming of ripe berries
• Smiling peas wearing tiny Santa hats with the words “Hap-pea Christmas”
• Two chubby penguins wrapped in one Christmasy scarf
• A happy rainbow made of tinsel and garland with the words “Merry and bright”
• Delicately painted smiling Christmas cookies in pastel colors

Funny Christmas card ideas

Funny Christmas card ideas are perfect for people who love comedy or have a great sense of humor. They use irony, sarcasm, puns, and other comedic devices to lighten up the Christmas season.

7. Santa’s vacation

Santa deserves a break, too, right? This funny Christmas card idea gives him just that, complete with an elf waiter and—finally—a present just for him.

AI prompt: “Santa Claus relaxing on a beach chair in full suit, sunglasses on, sipping a coconut drink, palm trees, bright cartoon colors, an elf waiter, humorous holiday illustration. There is a thought bubble over his head that shows the ‘North Pole Workshop’ with a ‘closed’ sign.”

8. Sleigh, queen

“Slay” is a slang word that’s used to praise someone for their appearance, attitude, or actions. It’s commonly used when speaking to women, or “queens.” This punny take on the phrase is perfect as a funny Christmas card idea.

AI prompt: “A sleigh decorated with Christmas garlands and big, bold ornaments in bright colors. On the front of the sleigh, superimpose cut-out human eyes and cut-out human lips in an exaggerated expression; render this like social media filters do. The ‘face’ should have bold makeup. The sleigh is sliding down a snowbank. Over the snow, include ‘Sleigh, queen’ in a sassy, jazzy, glittery font face.”

9. A bit of cheese

This simple design is perfect for those who think Christmas cards are hackneyed and overly sentimental. Go for a literal reading of the word “cheesy” with this funny Christmas card idea.

AI prompt: “A clean line drawing of a Christmas table with candles, wreaths, wine, and different cheeses. The background should have a light cardstock texture. Render the following words in a handwritten, print font face: ‘Yeah, this is cheesy…’”

Other funny Christmas card ideas:

• A distressed gingerbread person missing limbs saying “Oh no, it’s Christmas!”
• A waving snowman on an icy field saying “Have an ice Christmas!”
• A dog wearing reindeer antlers attempting to deliver presents
• Raccoons wearing Santa hats decorating a garbage can with lights and tinsel
• A cute sheep in a cozy sweater with the words “Fleece Navidad” (a pun on “Feliz Navidad,” or Merry Christmas in Spanish)

Christmas card ideas for kids

These Christmas card ideas for kids—whether as recipients or makers—are extra simple, tactile, and bright.

10. Fingerprint lights

This Christmas card idea is fun for kids to make (they get to put their fingers in paint) or nice for them to receive (they see your unique fingerprints). Try it with fingerpaints and cardstock, and you could also bring collage elements in to make this a multimedia design.

AI prompt: “Colorful fingerprint Christmas lights strung across a simple wall, exaggerated bright colors, cheerful cartoon holiday card. Fingerpaint texture for the bulbs and child-drawn, slightly messy, marker texture for the cord and sockets.”

11. Collage tree

Collage is a great medium for sparking kids’ creativity. Collage can also make a fun, tactile Christmas card for them to receive. When collaging with (or for) children, use simple, well-known symbols, like a Christmas tree.

AI prompt: “Bright, cheerful tree made of paper shapes, tinselly pipe cleaners, and sparkling sequins, with exaggerated colors and a playful and fun style, perfect for kids’ holiday cards. Also collage the words ‘Merry Christmas’ using letters cut out from newspapers and magazines. Use slight depth and shadow to imitate real collage.”

12. Soft Santa

Kids love to touch things, so give them an extra gift with this fluffy Christmas card idea. Draw a simple Santa (or generate a Santa coloring page with the AI image generator) and color it in. Then, stick cotton balls to the beard (and if you want, the band and pom-pom of his hat) to make this Santa extra soft.

AI prompt: “Create a Christmas card for kids. Show Santa with a simply drawn face colored in with pencils or markers. On his beard and the fluffy part of his hat, put cotton, as if it was pasted there after finishing the drawing.”

Other Christmas card ideas for kids:

• Drawings or photos of your child’s elf on the shelf 
• Cards that can be hung on the tree like ornaments
• A Rudolph with brown pipe cleaner antlers, googly eyes, and a red pom-pom nose
• A card in the shape of a gingerbread person
• Christmas tree made out of layered cupcake wrappers

Christmas card photo ideas

Some people prefer to send a family photo as their Christmas card. These Christmas card photo ideas can help you decide the setting, outfits, and poses for your Christmas photos. Generating AI images of these scenes can help you get an idea of what your family’s photo would look like.

13. Holiday baking

Baking is a fun family activity that lends visual interest to your Christmas card photo. Holiday aprons can easily help you add Christmas vibes.

AI prompt: “A family leaning over a kitchen counter full of baking supplies and half-made cookies. They are wearing white long-sleeved t-shirts and Christmas aprons. They are looking at the camera and smiling.”

14. Pet reindeer

If you have a pet, dressing them up in a Christmas costume is a fun way to add cute cheer to your Christmas card photo.

AI prompt: “A couple sitting outside next to a small decorated Christmas tree. Their dog, a shiba inu, is sitting between them wearing reindeer antlers and a little Christmas jacket.”

15. Christmas activity

Capturing a Christmas activity is another good Christmas card photo idea. Think bringing home your tree, decorating it, putting up decorations, or enjoying hot chocolate.

AI prompt: “A couple hauling a Christmas tree home from a Christmas tree farm. They’re wearing Christmas colored plaid jackets, jeans, and boots.”

Other Christmas card photo ideas:

• Children sitting in large boxes wrapped in Christmas paper with bows on their heads
• The whole family wearing matching Christmas sweaters or pajamas
• Family members wearing Christmasy accessories on a beach
• Children decorating a parent wrapped in lights and/or tinsel
• “I’m dreaming of a…” with thought bubbles showing family members’ Christmas wishes

Watercolor Christmas card ideas

Watercolor Christmas cards are ideal when you want soft edges, atmospheric color, and a handmade look without complex techniques. Below is a set of ideas you can adapt, along with image prompts you can use to generate quick visual references or printable designs.

16. Watercolor tree

Christmas trees are relatively easy to paint, as you can build them out using downward strokes. Watercolors allow you to add airy, diffused backgrounds that don’t compete with lettering you add on top.

AI prompt: “A loose watercolor-style evergreen tree on white paper, soft wet-on-wet blue background wash, textured green brushstrokes for branches, subtle snow splatter, minimal Christmas card style. Include some golden and white Christmas decorations on the tree.”

17. Santa silhouette

This watercolor Christmas card features a beautiful sky with a silhouetted Santa and forest. To make the process a bit easier, consider adding the silhouettes in with a black pen once the paint has dried.

AI prompt: “A watercolor night sky with galaxy-style gradients in indigo and violet, soft washed texture, black silhouette of Santa’s sleigh flying over pine trees, snowfall, dramatic Christmas card scene.”

18. Christmas snow globe

A snow globe is a cute, nostalgic Christmas card design that also lets you show off your watercolor skills through gentle gleams and shadows. You can add the snow effect seen below by sprinkling salt crystals on your wet watercolor paint.

AI prompt: “Watercolor illustration of a Christmas snow globe, a clear glass sphere with soft reflections, inside a tiny snowy village with glowing windows and evergreen trees, gentle snowfall, light blue and warm yellow washes, a wooden or golden base with subtle shadows, a textured watercolor paper background, and a dreamy and festive holiday aesthetic.”

Other watercolor Christmas card ideas:

• Christmas ornaments with subtle shadows and reflections
• A round red robin on a branch with delicate pine needles
• A snowman against a background of swirling, blending blues
• Pen and watercolor art of a house or building decorated for Christmas
• Delicate poinsettia arrangements

Christmas card ideas for drawing

These Christmas card ideas for drawing are perfect for those who prefer to work with pencil, pen, chalk, or pastel.

19. Pen and ink fireplace

A fireplace offers lots of detail for drawing: brick and wooden texture, the glow of a fireplace. Add some stockings or a Christmas garland over the mantle and you’ve drawn the front of a Christmas card.

AI prompt: “Hand-drawn fireplace scene in pen and ink, brick texture, stockings hanging, glowing logs, simple shading, warm and cozy Christmas card illustration.”

20. Hand-drawn ornaments

Ornaments are also a good Christmas card idea for drawing, as their intricate designs are easiest to render with mediums like pencil or pen.

AI prompt: “Hand-drawn Christmas ornaments with detailed patterns—stars, stripes, snowflakes, mandalas—clean line art, decorative and festive card layout.”

21. Pastel Christmas village

Pastel or chalk—a medium that is blendable—is great for snowy scenes and warm light, and generating an image like the one below can act as a guide for your drawing.

AI prompt: “Pastel drawing of a snowy winter village, soft blue shadows, glowing yellow windows, smudged white snow, gentle gradients, visible pastel strokes on textured paper.”

Other Christmas card ideas for drawing:

• Christmas banners with intricate lettering
• Reindeer and other animals whose coats/feathers are textured
• Christmas plants rendered in a botanical illustration style
• Architectural elements like houses, rooms, etc.
• Portraits of Christmas figures like Santa, elves, angels, etc.

Christmas card ideas for collage

These Christmas card ideas for collage incorporate true texture and 3D elements into your designs.

22. Gingerbread man collage

This Christmas card idea for collage uses brown paper and glittery elements to make a cute and festive gingerbread man.

AI prompt: “A Christmas card featuring a collaged gingerbread man. Use a neutral cardstock background, and compose the gingerbread man of collaged brown paper and glittery paper or elements for his buttons and icing.”

23. Collaged forest

This Christmas card idea for collage blends that medium with a painted background. You could also very easily add other collage elements: snowflakes, stars, or a sun or moon.

AI prompt: “Torn paper collage of pine trees in layered greens and blues, white paper snow on branches, soft painted background wash for sky, whimsical winter forest scene.”

24. Elegant vintage collage

This elegant Christmas card idea for collage combines vintage and botanical elements to create a timeless, handcrafted feel. Torn paper edges and textured layers give the card an artistic quality that makes it look truly unique.

AI prompt: “An elegant Christmas collage composed of a vintage angel, botanical Christmas designs, and stars. Position the elements in the center of the paper and leave blank space towards the edges. Show torn paper edges and texture around each element.”

Other Christmas card ideas for collage:

• Multicolored candles and their glowing flames
• Abstract collage using Christmas colors and 1–2 symbols (e.g., bell and holly)
• Collaged tree with Christmas ornaments showing your family’s photos
• Christmas presents made with collaged wrapping paper and ribbon
• A simple star composed of cut-out geometric shapes in bright yellows and oranges

Frequently asked questions about Christmas card ideas

What are some Christmas card display ideas?

Some Christmas card display ideas are:

• Hanging cards from your Christmas tree
• Putting them over your fireplace
• Sticking them to a wall in the shape of a tree or star
• Collaging them inside a picture frame
• Hanging them from cords with small clothespins

Want more ideas? Ask QuillBot’s AI Chat for Christmas card display ideas, Christmas card ideas, and Christmas decoration ideas.