Tips and Tricks for Making Your Holiday Greetings Stand Out

Last Updated: February 3, 2024

Do you want to make your holiday greetings stand out? Are you running out of ideas for unique holiday cards?

If you’re looking for more tips on how to add a personal touch to your handmade cards, then you’re in the right place! Here are some tips and tricks for creating custom Christmas cards with unique greetings that will leave a lasting impression.

DIY Christmas card with colorful baubles and the word "joy" die cut out of gold mirror cardstock

How to Make Personalized Christmas Card Greetings

1. Craft the Perfect Holiday Card Message

The message you include in your holiday cards can make all the difference. Instead of sticking to generic phrases, take a moment to think about what you want to convey.

Consider using heartfelt and personalized messages that reflect your relationship with the recipient. Whether it's a funny anecdote, a cherished memory, or a heartfelt wish, make it meaningful and special.

Simple personalized Christmas card with the greeting "have a holly jolly Christmas"

Halftone Holidays Stamp and Die Set

If you want a unique greeting other than “Season’s Greetings” or “Merry Christmas” here are a few suggestions:

Custom Christmas card with an embossed gingerbread house image and the greetings "winter wishes"

2. Mix and Match Holiday Sentiment Stamps

When it comes to adding the perfect sentiment to your cards, our holiday sentiment stamps are a game-changer.

These stamps offer a wide range of beautifully designed sentiments that cater to various occasions, including holidays. From traditional greetings like “Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays," to modern and unique phrases, you'll find the perfect sentiment to express your holiday wishes. You can also use stamps to add decorative elements to your cards, such as snowflakes or holly leaves.

Clean and simple Christmas card with a holiday wreath and a stamped "holiday greetings" sentiment in the middle

Here are a few of our fan-favorite holiday greeting stamps, dies, and more!

'Tis the season to be jolly personalized Christmas card with gold star die-cuts and gold glitter washi tape

Tip! Combine small and big sentiments or block and cursive sentiments. This is a simple trick that will give you a fantastic result!

A shiny and sparkly New Year's Day card made with Altenew alphabet stamps, dies, and embossing folder

3. Alphabet Stamps for Personalized Touches

Want to add a personalized touch to your holiday cards? Alphabet stamps are your secret weapon. With these versatile stamps, you can spell out names, initials, or even create custom messages. Use them to monogram your cards or add a personal touch to the envelopes. 

A unique holiday card idea with a chalkboard effect background, die-cut poinsettias, and "cheer" die cut from Altenew alphabet stamps Irick Arbuso Irick Arbuso 1:56 PM Dec 6 Custom Christmas cards with the words "Noel" and "Joy" - made with die-cut alphabet letters and enamel dots from Altenew Irick Arbuso Irick Arbuso 2:01 PM Dec 6 Messy watercolored Christmas card with a die-cut window heart in the middle and some enamel dots    Turn on screen reader support

Here’s a fun personalized Christmas card idea from Jaycee featuring one of our bestselling alphabet stamps. Unfortunately, this stamp set has been discontinued, but here are some of Jaycee’s favorites:

A holiday greeting card with the sentiment "May your days be merry and bright" with the word "Merry" emphasized three times in the middle of the card

Alphabet stamps give you the freedom to get creative and make your holiday greetings truly one-of-a-kind. We have a variety of alphabet stamps to choose from, including block letters and script fonts. You can also mix and match different fonts to create a fun and playful look!

Custom Christmas cards with the words "Noel" and "Joy" - made with die-cut alphabet letters and enamel dots from Altenew

Check out Lydia’s unique card featuring fun holiday greetings made with alphabet stamps and dies and enamel dots! Watch the video tutorial below.

4. Embrace Unique Holiday Card Ideas

Don't be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to designing your personalized Christmas cards.

Get inspired by unique card ideas that will make your greetings stand out. Consider incorporating elements like handmade ornaments, interactive pop-ups, or even mini photo albums. 

Season's Greetings Christmas card with a stamped deer and holiday foliage made with Altenew stamps

Try Aga’s non-traditional holiday color palette to create a neutral holiday card.

2 DIY Christmas cards with non-traditional holiday colors, made with Altenew stamps, dies, and inks

Jenny’s festive cards with non-traditional holiday colors are so fun to look at!

Jaycee’s bold DIY Christmas cards utilized various elements and techniques that you won’t see in any regular card! Watch the video tutorial below.

5. Personalize Your Holiday Greeting Cards

One surefire way to make your custom Christmas cards memorable is to add a personal card message inside.

Are you stumped on what to write inside a Christmas card? Lucky for you, we’ve got a range of ready-to-use holiday card messages! Personalizing your Christmas cards adds an extra layer of warmth and connection, making your greetings feel truly special.

A close-up of a personalized Christmas card with the greeting "from our hearts" heat embossed on a die-cut heart, made with Altenew products

It goes without saying that the most important part of any holiday card is the message inside. Take some time to think about what you want to say to your loved ones this holiday season. Whether it's a heartfelt message of gratitude or a funny anecdote, make sure your message reflects your personality and the relationship you have with the recipient.

Find the Best Christmas Card Messages!

6. Choose a Theme

Start by choosing a theme for your holiday cards. Whether it's a winter wonderland, a cozy cabin, or a festive feast, having a theme will help you stay focused and create a cohesive look. You can also choose a color scheme to match your theme, which will make your cards even more visually appealing.

Happy holidays card with sparkly and glittery winter skate die-cuts on a white panel embossed with 3D layered snowflakes

This DIY Christmas card by Emily creates a stunning scene with some winter ice skates! 

Here are some of the best Altenew stamps, dies, and stencils to help you create holiday-themed cards!

A clean and simple custom Christmas card idea with the holiday greeting "Celebrate the Season" stamped on a die-cut Christmas bauble

7. Add Shine and Texture

Adding shine and texture to your holiday cards is a great way to make them stand out.

You can use embossing powder to create raised designs, add glitter or sequins for some extra sparkle, or use hot foil plates for that gorgeous shine. Add some visual interest to your cards with patterned paper, glitter cardstock, or washi tapes!

Happy holidays card with unique geometric die-cuts on the background, made with Altenew stamps, dies, and hot foil plates

We’ve handpicked a few products to help you add shine and texture to your custom Christmas cards!

Messy watercolored Christmas card with a die-cut window heart in the middle and some enamel dots

Make Your Holiday Greetings Stand Out with These 7 Tips & Tricks!

Creating unique holiday cards is all about infusing them with your personal touch and creativity.

Craft heartfelt messages, explore sentiment stamps for the perfect greetings, utilize alphabet stamps for personalized touches, embrace unique DIY Christmas card ideas, and don't forget to add a personal touch. With these tips and tricks, your custom holiday cards will undoubtedly stand out and bring joy to those who receive them.

Find more Early Crafty Holiday Shopping tips and card ideas, Tips for Creating Cards in Bulk, and DIY Christmas Card Ideas with Stencils!

Drop by In the Craft Room for more crafting tips and inspiration. See you there!


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