It’s December and your mailbox is overflowing with sparkly season’s greetings. Instead of letting all those cards pile up and create a festive avalanche on your kitchen counter, why not put them on display? From options for mamas who know their way around a staple gun to a glittery, retro choice that requires nothing more than leaving yourself in the hands of an Etsy master, we’ve rounded up 11 creative ways to do just that. Scroll down to see them all.
Hang It Up
Looking for a way to deck your halls with paper greetings brimming over with holiday cheer? Oh Joy's clever card hangers can be whipped up with items that you already have lying around the house. Gather up a few wire hangers and yarn in your favorite hues, and start making a set. Find all the details you need here.
Create a Card Tree
This is a super easy idea that gets your cards on display as they come in. Nail a ribbon into the wall and add on a DIY star at the top. As your cards arrive, staple them to each other and to the ribbon so that you are forming a Christmas tree shape.
Trim the Tree
This festive pin board from Sugar and Cloth for Minted can be re-used to display Christmas cards year after year. With a little foam board, a roll of cork, and elbow grease, you and your littles can make your own. Spray a seasonal layer of glittery paint on it, or leave the cork as is and let your cards pop against a light brown background. Head over the hills and through the woods to Julep for step-by-step directions.
One for the Books
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by too much holiday cheer—parties, caroling fests, and cookie baking, oh my—try this simple addition to your holiday decor. An antique book, dreamed up by Amy Duncan of Studio Four Corners Design, with pages folded down just so makes for an easy and elegant way to display seasons greetings. Bonus: if you pick up a book at your local thrift shop, you’ll have money left over to spring for the extra-large candy cane your kiddo’s been eyeing.
Magical Magnets
Clean-lined magnetic picture rails can show off holiday cards in December and your favorite family snaps into the new year. This project, dreamed up by You Are My Fave for Minted, requires a little more work than some of the other options, but it’s worth it if it becomes a permanent part of your décor. Pick up some festive magnets, like this trio of Santas, for an extra-seasonal touch of ho ho ho!
Light Up the Night
Long, dark winter nights dragging you down? Brighten things up inside your house with a twinkly card display your kids are sure to love. Small picture hooks, strands of lights in classic white or your fave colors of the season, and mini-clips perfect for card hanging come together to create winter-time magic. Fairy Lights & Fun spells out the how-to for you.
No Crafts Required
Glue-gunned out? Never fear: here comes Etsy to the rescue! This festive, glittery hanger from Etsy seller Lauren Lash Designs is packed with retro flair and ready to put up on any door in your home that's begging for a little holiday cheer. Snap one up, and spend your time sipping eggnog and taking your kiddos on a drive to ooh and ahh over awesome neighborhood light displays. Order one from Lauren Lash Designs via Etsy here.
Nailed It
The holiday-perfect wreath and chicken wire combo from the crafty mamas at Lolly Jane make for a big, bold holiday statement. Fair warning: this is a big project to take on, so you might want to set the kids up with their annual viewing of How The Grinch Stole Christmas while you work. Hit your local hardware store for wood, flat corner braces, and sawtooth hangers, and hammer away.
Wall of Well Wishes
Washi tape never looked so good! This display has a serious wow factor and isn't all that hard to do. Supplies are minimal, and kiddos will have a blast helping decorate the "wall tree." Plus, think of all that space you just saved! Get all the tree trimming details at Thyme is Honey.
Farmhouse Box
If you want to display your Christmas cards in a super tidy display, check out these farmhouse boxes on Etsy. You can personalize yours for the color and greeting you like and it will be ready to display all your cards without taking over your house.
—Oz Spies & Kate Loweth
