Christmas is coming and that means the festive holiday cards are on their merry way too. A trip to the mailbox anytime after Thanksgiving is usually more exciting than most. As you sift through bills and unwanted ads you probably have hopes of coming across a cute photo of your friends’ kids and seeing how much they’ve grown. The first few Christmas cards you receive will get a guaranteed spot on the living room mantel or maybe the refrigerator, but what about all the others?
Save your mantel the clutter and give all of your holiday greeting cards the proper recognition they deserve by creating a fun Christmas card display. With the following guide, you can turn Christmas cards into Christmas decorations in minutes.
These DIY Christmas card holder ideas also make for great decorative pieces for the 2025 holiday season. Whether you are looking to create a Christmas card holder that matches the theme of your home décor or add a touch of the season to just about any space, these ideas for how to display Christmas cards are sure to do the trick.
How to Display Christmas Cards: Clipped On
It’s clear that your friends and family put a lot of thought into their holiday greetings. Show your holiday cards the appreciation they deserve and use these ideas on how to display Christmas cards to create a display that you and your guests can enjoy.
Card Ribbon Display:
Whether it’s a wall or even the back of a door, it’s easy to put up a ribbon display almost anywhere. Simply gather up your favorite type of ribbon, some form of wall adhesive and clips. You only need a few items to create this easy clip-on Holiday card display. Plus, if there is a flat space in your home that could use some holiday cheer, this card display is the answer. Just follow the steps below.
- Unspool the ribbon until you have about 2 feet in length and cut it. Make sure that you have enough ribbon to fit all of your cards. For a pretty touch, you can cut a nice design into the ribbon as well.
- Hang the ribbon. Using a piece of wall adhesive or double-sided tape go ahead and hang the ribbon where ever you desire. You can hang the pieces vertically or horizontally, but if you are hanging more than one make sure that you space them apart. Get creative in terms of where you decide to show off your holiday cards and hang the ribbon between windows, doorways, on your kitchen cabinets or behind dining room table chairs. Don’t be afraid to add in a few seasonal props and hang your ribbon between skis, on a sled or in an empty frame. Also take into account nearby decorations: you don’t want your ribbon to clash with wall art if you hang it above your mantel.
- Attach the cards to the ribbon. You have the option of using a variety of different tools to attach your cards. Utilize clothespins, binder clips, paper clips, or any type of push pin that will make it easy to move the greetings around and add more cards as you receive them. For a clean and polished look, hang your cards equal distance from each other. If you are going for a more relaxed feel, you can hang the cards as you please.
The best part about this Christmas card display idea is that you can use any colored ribbon, twine, burlap, lights or fabric and hang it in any way that you’d like. Your DIY Christmas card holder is all about customization. Get creative and hang the ribbon in a Christmas themed shaped like a star or Christmas tree. This display can make any blank space pop.
How To Display Christmas Cards: Shutters And Frames
Using old window shutters or empty frames to display your Christmas cards will give your home a rustic holiday feel. Not to mention, the slats in the shutters make for the perfect perch for your holiday greetings.
Rustic Christmas Card Holder:
When it comes to creating your rustic Christmas card holder, sand down the splinters and paint the piece any color you’d like or even leave it as is. Next, hang the shutter wherever you’d like and start adorning with your holiday greetings. Empty frames also make for a great Christmas greeting focal point. Use ribbon, twine or any string to hang between the two sides of an old picture frame. Make sure you leave some slack between both sides so the ribbon hangs nicely. Next, attach your Christmas greetings using clothespins or paper clips and finally, hang your frame for all to see.
How to Display Christmas Cards: Garland Ideas
Showcasing your holiday cards along Christmas garland will really spruce up your home for the holidays. The classic garland look has Christmas written all over it and can be displayed over doors, mantels, along fences and even up stairways. These are some creative ways to display Christmas cards.
- Along the Doorway: If you’re short on space to decorate around the house a doorway frame of green garland and Christmas wishes is an easy way to display your cards. Simply use mini clothespins to attach the cards to the garland. For a little something extra, add Christmas lights and other Christmas displays to the foliage. Your guests are sure to love walking through this doorway.
- Along the Banister: Greet all who come through your doorway with a grand staircase appearance. Wrap garland through the posts and along the hand railing. Once you’ve got the garland in place then you can attach all of your cards.
- Across the Mantle: Do away with the idea of just displaying your cards by their lonesome and bring in some seasonal decor. Lay garland across the fireplace mantle and then scatter the cards along with it. Add pine cones, lights, and other ornaments. This way, you get to look at the treasured memories of Christmas while cozying up next to the fireplace with your loved ones.
Christmas Card Display Ideas: Taped, Tacked, and Hung
Utilizing items or pieces you have around the house to hold or hang your Christmas cards can be an easy solution to your Christmas card clutter. Adding a touch of the holidays to your kitchen cork board or hallway bulletin won’t take much time and will still do your cards justice.
- Bulletin Board: Along with pinning Christmas cards to your bulletin board you can add other holiday pieces like ribbon, crafts, lights and more. Let the kids help you out with the decorating, it’ll be tons of fun.
- Chalkboard Displays: Adding your cards to a chalkboard display or chalkboard wall is another way to add a rustic feel to your Christmas decorations. There’s something about black and white that feels old fashioned and fits well with Christmas greetings. Use the chalk to write a Christmas sentiment or draw a Christmas tree and then attach ribbon to hang your cards from.
- Wall Displays: If you consider yourself pretty creative then you will have a lot of fun thinking up the perfect gallery wall display for your Christmas photo cards. Some festive ideas include attaching your cards to look like a wreath or a Christmas tree and adding a shiny gold star at the top.
- Wine Cork Displays: Have any wine corks lying around? This display is a little more of a project, but it’s totally worth it once you see the finished product. Use a hot glue gun to attach the corks together in the shape of a Christmas tree, a wreath or just about anything. Add a bow to the top of your cork tree or use ribbon to decorate the wreath and then add your cards.
- Animal Antlers: Use a hole puncher to add a hole to the tops of your cards. Then, string a ribbon through so you are able to hang them. Use any existing home décor piece to hang your greetings from, any piece with hooks works great. Antlers also make for the perfect Christmas card holder, especially if you’re going for an outdoorsy feel.
Simple Ways to Display Christmas Cards
These are a few simple ways to display Christmas cards if you don’t feel particularly crafty this year or you don’t have the time for a DIY project.
- Baskets: Metal, wicker or wooden, just about any basket will do. Lay your cards in a basket for all to see.
- Clear Glass Canisters: Go for a clear canister so that guests can enjoy your cards without pulling them out of the container.
- Mantel Displays: This traditional holiday card display can be a great addition to your décor if you keep your cards organized. If you’re hanging Christmas stockings, you can add Christmas cards to the top of each stocking as a fun and easy way to display your cards. Once things start to look too cluttered, grab a basket to toss the card in.
- Festive Plate on the Coffee Table or at The Entrance: After pulling your Christmas décor out of storage boxes, use a festive plate use it to display your Christmas cards.
Christmas Card Holder Ideas
If you’re looking for smaller display ideas, consider buying or making Christmas cardholders to place around your home. For a clean and simple look, try these ideas for spicing up your home.
- Wood Blocks: Get crafty and create your own Christmas cardholders by using wood blocks to display your cards. You can paint and decorate small square wood blocks with a pattern or try color-blocking for a modern look. You can then attach paper clips or wire photo clip holders to the woodblocks to prop up your holiday cards.
- Place Card Holders: Try using place card holders for your Christmas cards this year. Whether you’re into copper or brass holders or go for a wooden look, you can use these cardholders all over your house to display cards from loved ones.
- Stump Card Holders: Give your card display a rustic feel this season with stump place cardholders. These mini stumps have a slit in the middle where you can insert your Christmas card with little to no work. You can also consider spray painting the stumps if your other Christmas decorations are bright and bold.
- DIY Card Holder: If you’re looking for a clean and minimalist look, consider creating the DIY Christmas card holder below. It can be used year-round. In a few steps, you can turn a piece of wood into a board with small ledges to display your favorite Christmas cards.
Christmas Card Display Ideas for Anywhere
- Wreath Display: Attach your Christmas cards to a wreath form or you can adhere your Christmas cards onto the wall or blank surface in the shape of a wreath. You can also use a full wreath or a live Christmas wreath, just take some clothespins and clip your cards on.
- Tree Branch Vase Display: This Christmas card holder project makes for one of the most attractive displays. Just go outside and find a few branches. Once you’re back inside, cut the branches so that they are about the same size. Put them in a vase and adorn your cute cards with Christmas ornaments. Add a red bow around the vase and your display will really shine.
- Jingle Bells: Large jingle bells are great to use for single card displays. Use multiple bells in different colors or patterns to create an arrangement of cards. The bells and cards are all you need for this project since the slits in the bells work wonders for propping up your cards.
- Mason Jars: Hot glue clothespins to longer sticks and then stick them in a mason jar. Attach your cards to the clothespins to show them off. This display is perfect for your Christmas dinner tabletop centerpiece or for a table in your doorway.
Resources Related to How to Display Cards
The exchanging of annual Christmas cards provides a cherished way for friends and family members to stay in touch during the holiday season. Although a longstanding tradition, busy lifestyles, and advances in technology are making it more and more difficult to create and send an annual Christmas card. Make sure that you cherish the Christmas wishes you do receive this year with a fun and creative Holiday card display. If you are looking for more ways to use Christmas cards or holiday photos, make sure to check out our personalized gifts.
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