December is a time of year when expenses add up fast. If you find yourself tight on budget, handmade Christmas cards are a great alternative to the time honoured tradition of sending out Christmas cards. Or – if you’re a crafter, but don’t have the time to tackle a Christmas craft that involves sewing, knitting or the like, paper crafts are relatively quick. My easy handmade Christmas cards with pipe cleaners are also a great way to get kids involved in the holiday. With just a few simple materials, you’ll have gorgeous homemade cards for gifting to co-workers, at school, neighbours or at holiday gatherings with family and friends.
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Materials
- Standard Size Pipe Cleaners in Assorted Colors (depending on where you live these may be called “fuzzy sticks”)
- Standard Size Pipe Cleaners in Metallics (optional but I think a touch of tinsel is always fun!)
- Hot Glue
- Alphabet Glitter Stickers (optional but if you do get them, look for the ones used for scrapbooking. I’ve used gold glitter ones and white glitter ones.)
- Card Stock Paper in Assorted Colors
- Scissors
Steps
Christmas Tree Pipe Cleaner Card
- Fold paper to make a card. I’ve used half of a 8.5″ x 11″ sheet per card. This way I get 2 cards per sheet of paper.
- Cut different shades of green pipe cleaner in varying lengths. Hot glue the pipe cleaners strips onto the front of the card in the shape of a tree. I kept gaps in between the strips of pipe cleaner for a clean, modern look. Used here are dark green pipe cleaners, neon green and tinsel green.
- Finish with red pipe cleaner strips to look like a tree topper and tree trunk.
Handmade Christmas Wreath Pipe Cleaner Card
- Fold paper to make a card.
- Cut a red pipe cleaner into two. Twist it together to make one thick pipe cleaner. Repeat with the green pipe cleaner.
- Then twist both the red and green pipe cleaners together and form into circle. Hot glue it together.
- Use a small piece of tinsel pipe cleaner to make a bow. Glue it to the wreath.
- Add alphabet stickers for a greeting if desired.
Pipe Cleaner Candy Cane Card
- Fold card stock paper to make a card.
- Cut a light pink pipe cleaner into two. Twist together to make one thick pipe cleaner.
- Repeat the above steps with a silver tinsel pipe cleaner.
- Then twist the pink and silver pipe cleaners together. Form into the shape of a candy cane by bending and hot glue.
- Add alphabet stickers if desired to write a message.
Once you’ve crafted your cards, write your greeting on the inside and carefully insert them into prepared envelopes. I hope your recipients will love receiving and displaying these cards because they truly are simple yet stunning.
Did you make this DIY of ours? We’d love to see it! Share with us on Instagram or Facebook @helloholydays.
If you make this DIY and share photos of your version on your own blog, please include a link back to this page as your source of inspiration and tag @helloholydays on all social media.
Want more pipe cleaner crafts? Check out these moon and star pipe cleaner gift toppers – the tinsel pipe cleaners give them a celestial feel!
If you love these card designs also be sure to check out my greeting card shop where you can purchase my Christmas cards.
