Christmas cards are one of the best parts of checking the mail during the holiday season. Instead of letting each new card pile up on the counter, turn greetings from friends and family into part of your Christmas decor.
There are plenty of ways to display Christmas cards, even if you don’t have a mantel or much extra space. Hang cards from ribbon, work them into your garland, arrange them on a wall, or simply give them a dedicated spot on a shelf. The best Christmas card display is one that’s easy to add to throughout the season as more cards arrive.
1. Hang Christmas Cards From Ribbon
A few lengths of ribbon can turn almost any narrow stretch of wall into a Christmas card display. Cut several pieces to the same length and hang them vertically, leaving enough space between each one for the cards. Attach your Christmas cards with mini clothespins or small clips, starting at the top and working your way down as your collection grows.
Try this on a pantry door, kitchen cabinet, blank wall, or the back of an interior door. Choose ribbon that coordinates with your Christmas decorations, such as velvet for a traditional look, plaid for something cozy, or a simple solid color for a more modern display.
2. Create a Christmas Card Garland
String, twine, or ribbon makes an easy Christmas card garland that can go almost anywhere. Secure the ends between two hooks or other sturdy anchor points, leaving a slight curve in the middle rather than pulling the line completely taut. Clip cards across the strand with mini clothespins.
For a larger collection, hang two or three strands at different heights. You can also weave in greenery or place your card garland near string lights to make it feel like part of the rest of your holiday decorations.
3. Add Christmas Cards to Your Mantel
If you already decorate your fireplace mantel for Christmas, work your holiday cards into the arrangement rather than lining them up in one long row. Tuck cards between sections of garland, lean a few against candlesticks or other decor, and vary the heights so you can see more of each design.
As additional cards arrive, use small clips to attach some directly to the garland. This keeps the mantel from becoming overcrowded while letting the display grow throughout December.
4. Display Christmas Cards Around a Doorway
A doorway gives you plenty of vertical space without taking up another wall. Frame the doorway with garland and attach cards to the greenery with mini clothespins or clips. Start near the top and work downward on both sides as you receive more cards.
You can also skip the greenery and hang ribbon vertically along either side of the doorway. This is especially useful in apartments and smaller homes where there may not be an open wall available for a larger Christmas card display.
5. Make a Christmas Card Tree on the Wall
Turn a blank wall into a Christmas tree made from holiday cards. Begin with one card near the top, then create progressively wider rows underneath it until you have a triangular tree shape.
Use removable adhesive strips or poster-safe mounting putty so you can reposition cards as the display grows. Add a paper star, bow, or lightweight ornament at the top, and create a small trunk at the bottom with ribbon or kraft paper. This works especially well when you have a large number of cards to display but limited shelf space.
6. Clip Cards Along the Staircase
A staircase railing provides a long stretch of space that’s ideal for displaying Christmas cards. Decorate the banister with greenery or ribbon first, then clip cards along the length of it.
Space the first few cards farther apart so there’s room to fill in the gaps as December goes on. If you receive a lot of holiday cards, use both the garland and individual balusters to create additional rows without making one area too crowded.
7. Turn a Bulletin Board Into a Holiday Card Display
A corkboard, memo board, or fabric pinboard makes an easy Christmas card holder because you can rearrange everything whenever you want. Pin cards in slightly overlapping rows, or leave space between them for a cleaner grid.
To make an everyday bulletin board feel more festive, add ribbon around the border or mix in a few lightweight ornaments, paper snowflakes, or family photos. It’s also a practical option if you like opening and rereading cards because nothing is permanently attached.
8. Fill an Empty Picture Frame With Christmas Cards
Remove the glass and backing from a large picture frame and turn the empty frame into a reusable card holder. Attach several rows of ribbon, twine, or thin wire horizontally across the back of the frame, securing each end to the frame itself. Then clip your cards onto the rows.
Lean the finished display against a wall on a console table or securely hang it. After Christmas, remove the cards and store the frame with your holiday decorations so you can use it again next year.
9. Arrange Christmas Cards on a Shelf or Console Table
You don’t have to hang anything to create a Christmas card display. Use a bookshelf, entryway table, sideboard, or floating shelf and lean cards against the wall in staggered rows. Place taller cards toward the back and smaller cards in front so the arrangement has some height.
Mix in a few pieces of Christmas decor, but leave enough open space for new cards. If your collection eventually outgrows the surface, rotate some cards into the display or move the extras into a basket nearby.
10. Display Cards in a Decorative Basket
For the simplest option, place Christmas cards in a decorative basket, wooden box, or holiday container where family and guests can flip through them. Keep it on a coffee table, entryway console, kitchen counter, or shelf.
Instead of stacking every card flat, stand them upright with the fronts facing different directions so some of the designs and family photos remain visible. A basket is also a useful overflow solution if your main display fills up before Christmas.
11. Hang Christmas Cards From a Branch
A sturdy decorative branch can become a simple hanging card display. Place the branch in a weighted vase or securely suspend it from the wall, then tie pieces of ribbon or string at different lengths. Use mini clips to attach one or two cards to each strand.
Add a few lightweight ornaments or bows between the cards if you want the branch to coordinate with your tree. Keep the arrangement balanced by distributing cards across both sides rather than filling one section first.
12. Decorate the Refrigerator With Christmas Cards
The refrigerator is still one of the easiest places to display holiday cards, especially in a busy family kitchen. Instead of adding cards randomly as they arrive, arrange them into rows or a loose grid so the display looks more cohesive.
Use magnets for cards that aren’t already magnetic, and keep frequently used handles, dispensers, and controls clear. If the front fills up, continue the display along one side of the refrigerator.
13. Make a Christmas Card Wreath
Create a wreath-shaped display directly on the wall by arranging cards in a large circle. Start with four cards marking the top, bottom, left, and right edges, then fill in the spaces between them. Slightly overlap the corners if needed to make the shape feel continuous.
Add a bow at the bottom or center to finish the wreath. Removable adhesive makes it easy to adjust the arrangement when new cards arrive, so leave a little room for the wreath to expand throughout the season.
14. Use Individual Card Holders
If you only receive a handful of Christmas cards or want to highlight a few favorites, display them individually. Small photo stands, place card holders, memo clips, or card stands can hold cards upright on a mantel, bookshelf, windowsill, or entryway table.
Group three or five together at different heights rather than spreading individual cards throughout the room. You can also use this approach to feature a few special cards while keeping the rest of your collection in a larger wall or garland display.
15. Mix Christmas Cards Into Your Existing Holiday Decor
You may already have several places around your home that can hold Christmas cards. Tuck cards into a tabletop tree, clip them onto a decorative ladder, place them between books on a shelf, or add them to greenery around a mirror.
Look for spots where cards can be added securely without covering important photos or decorations. Repeating cards in two or three areas of the room can make them feel like part of your holiday decor instead of a separate display you have to find space for.
How to Choose the Best Christmas Card Display
Think about how many cards you usually receive and how much space you have before deciding on a display. A basket, shelf, or group of card holders may be plenty for a smaller collection. If dozens of cards arrive each year, a wall tree, staircase, doorway, or multi-row hanging display gives you more room to expand.
It also helps to choose a setup that’s easy to update. Clips, removable adhesive, and open shelves let you add and rearrange cards throughout the season without starting over. If you’re hanging anything on a wall, door, or piece of furniture, choose an attachment method that’s appropriate for the surface and the weight of your display.
What to Do With Christmas Cards After the Holidays
You don’t have to throw away your favorite Christmas cards when the decorations come down. Save cards with meaningful notes, family photos, or designs you particularly love and store them with your holiday keepsakes.
You can also cut photo cards down to save just the picture, place favorites in a photo album or memory box, or use old cards for gift tags and paper crafts the following Christmas. If you save cards year after year, label them by date so it’s easy to look back at how friends and family have changed.
Make Christmas Cards Part of Your Holiday Decor
Christmas cards are meant to be enjoyed, and displaying them gives you a chance to appreciate each greeting long after you open the envelope. A simple ribbon or basket can work just as well as a full wall display, so choose an idea that fits your space and the number of cards you receive.
And if you’re sending greetings of your own this year, create custom Christmas cards with your favorite photos, colors, and holiday message to give friends and family something they’ll be excited to add to their displays.
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