Hey crafty friends! Looking for handmade Christmas card ideas you can make your own? These Holly Jolly projects show how a holly background, an ornament shape and a few small finishing details can come together in very different ways.

Below, you’ll find four finished examples, what makes each design work and ways to adapt the look with supplies you already have. Tap any project photo for a closer look.

1. Frame a playful sentiment with a holly background

This card pairs traditional red and green with gold accents, then adds a playful message: “If you don’t want it I will keep it.” The red border, sentiment panel and bow repeat the same color, helping the separate layers feel connected.

Try the design: Stencil a piece of white cardstock, then trim it smaller than your colored card base to leave a border. Place your main sentiment on a solid panel so the words remain easy to read. Add a smaller sentiment strip underneath and overlap a bow near one end.

Make it your own: Start with plain rectangles if you don’t have the decorative frame and label dies shown. Keep the background busy and the sentiment area simple. Test your sentiment ink on a scrap of the same cardstock before stamping the final panel.

Featured EMD supplies: Holly & Swirls Layered Stencil, Special Delivery Stamp Set, Dainty Bow Dies.

The decorative frame, labels and banner shapes are additional supplies. You can substitute shapes from your stash.

2. Turn a stenciled panel into a paper ornament

The same holly pattern takes on a different feel here. White space between the leaves keeps the design light, while the gold topper picks up the gold in the swirls. There is enough detail in the pattern that this ornament doesn’t need lots of extra embellishments.

Try the design: Build your holly pattern on a panel larger than the ornament you want to cut. Let the ink or other stencil medium dry fully, then move the ornament die around the panel until you like the placement. Cut the shape and add a contrasting topper.

Keep the pattern crisp: Secure each stencil layer and use a light hand with your blending brush, building color gradually. If you choose a paste for added texture, follow its drying instructions before die cutting.

Use your finished piece as the focal point on a card, add a message to the back for a gift tag, or attach a hanging loop for a paper decoration. For a coordinating set, use the remaining stenciled panel on a rectangular card.

Featured EMD supplies: Curvy Ornament Nested Die Set, Holly & Swirls Layered Stencil.

3. Add a small charm cluster to a glitter ornament

A bold glitter base does much of the decorating for you. In this close-up, the red candy cane and white snowflake are grouped beside the gold topper. Keeping the detail near the top leaves the green glitter visible.

Try the design: Cut an ornament from glitter cardstock and choose a contrasting topper. Arrange one or two charms beside it before attaching them. The connecting loop dies in the Christmas Charm set let you build a linked detail; you can also adhere the shapes flat.

Choose your finish: A dangling charm adds movement to a tag or hanging decoration. For a card you plan to mail, adhering the charms flat helps reduce bulk. Use an adhesive suited to your glitter cardstock and let it set before handling.

Featured EMD supplies: Curvy Ornament Nested Die Set, Christmas Charm Dies.

4. Soften the palette with pink, white and a sparkling bow

Christmas crafting doesn’t have to stay red and green! This ornament uses a pink patterned base, white winter details and a sparkling gold bow. The tiny black hat and orange nose help the snowman remain recognizable without adding large blocks of color.

Try the design: Choose a patterned paper or a background from your stash, then cut the ornament. Repeat one color in the topper and small embellishments, and finish with a bow that contrasts with the base. Lay out the snowman, snowflake and bow together before gluing so each shape has room to show.

Use the idea again: Change only the base color or paper to make a coordinating group. The Dainty Bow Dies include three bow sizes, so you can choose a smaller bow when your sentiment or ornament needs more room.

Featured EMD supplies: Curvy Ornament Nested Die Set, Christmas Charm Dies, Dainty Bow Dies.

The pink plaid background is an additional pattern, separate from Holly & Swirls. Use a paper or background-making supply you already own to adapt this look.

Which Holly Jolly supplies should you start with?

Choose the project you want to make first, then check your stash. You don’t need every product to try one idea.

• For patterned Christmas cards: Start with Holly & Swirls Layered Stencil. Add Special Delivery Stamp Set if you want the playful gift-giving messages shown.
• For ornament shapes: Choose Curvy Ornament Nested Die Set. Its three ornament sizes and coordinating toppers give you room to vary your design.
• For small finishing details: Christmas Charm Dies adds holiday shapes; Dainty Bow Dies adds bows you can use on Christmas and everyday projects.

Have cardstock, ink and adhesive ready. The dies need a compatible die cutting machine, the clear stamps need an acrylic block or stamping platform, and the stencil needs your choice of ink or stencil medium and an applicator. Card bases, specialty papers, hanging ribbon and additional frame or label dies are separate supplies.

See more of the collection with Emily

Watch Emily’s Holly Jolly collection reveal and project overview for a closer look at the products and inspiration. It is a collection walkthrough, so use the design notes above to plan your own version of a favorite project.

Pick one background, one focal shape and one finishing detail to start. You can always add another layer, but giving your favorite pieces room to shine is often what brings a handmade project together.