3 Easy Washi Tape Christmas Cards You Can Make in One Sitting

Some holiday cards turn into a whole afternoon of supplies and cleanup. These three designs use short strips of patterned washi tape, plain cardstock, and simple shapes, so you can make a small stack in one sitting. Try one design first, then repeat it with different colors or mix all three.

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What you need

• Blank card bases: Use matte white or cream cardstock. Cut letter-size sheets in half crosswise, then fold each half to make a 4.25 by 5.5 inch card. Precut A2 card bases work too.
• Washi tape: Use holiday-patterned rolls you already have. If you need a coordinated set, the Outus 21-roll Christmas washi tape set in the Vintage style offers narrow and wider red, green, cream, and gold-accented patterns. The rolls are small, so measure the length you need before cutting. I have not tested this set personally.
• Basic tools: Keep scissors, a ruler, a pencil, a scrap of cardstock, and a glue stick nearby. A paper trimmer is optional.
• Optional finish: Use a small paper star, a little twine, or a handwritten greeting. Have A2 envelopes ready if you plan to mail the cards.

First, place one strip on a cardstock scrap and rub it down with your finger. Check whether the tape sticks cleanly and whether the pattern shows up against your card color. Washi tape is easy to reposition, but that also means some edges may lift on textured paper. Smooth matte cardstock gives these designs a better starting surface.

1. Make a simple tape tree

1. Lightly mark a vertical center line on the front of the card. Leave room at the top for a star and at the bottom for a greeting.
2. Cut five or six tape strips. Start with a short strip for the top of the tree and make each strip a little longer as you work downward. Lay them out before pressing them in place.
3. Apply the strips from top to bottom, keeping them centered. Press from the middle toward each edge so the ends lie flat.
4. Add a short vertical piece for the trunk. Glue on a paper star if you like, then erase any visible pencil marks.

If your rolls have several widths, use the narrowest pattern near the top and a wider strip at the bottom. For a quieter look, alternate one printed tape with a solid color instead of using every pattern in the pack.

2. Frame a short greeting

1. Place the folded card on the table with the front facing up. Measure a simple rectangle about half an inch inside each edge, leaving a clear center.
2. Run one tape strip along the top and one along the bottom. Add the side strips next, overlapping the corners slightly. Trim any loose ends with scissors.
3. Write a short message in the open space, such as “Warm wishes” or “Merry Christmas.” If you prefer, glue a small handwritten paper label in the center.

This design is useful when you want to make several cards quickly. Set out one stack of card bases, cut the same four lengths for each card, and change only the center greeting. Gold foil patterns can be lovely as a border, but check the card under a lamp before writing over them. A plain center is easier to read.

3. Build a little gift on the front

1. Cut a rectangle from scrap cardstock and glue it near the lower half of the card front. Choose a color that gives the tape pattern some contrast.
2. Place one vertical tape strip down the rectangle and one horizontal strip across it, like ribbon around a present. Fold or trim the tape ends neatly at the rectangle edges.
3. Make a small bow from twine or cut one from paper, then attach it where the two strips meet. Write a greeting above the gift.

Keep the bow fairly flat if the card will go in an envelope. A bulky knot can press into the paper or affect mailing. You can also skip the bow and make a tiny paper tag instead.

Make a neat batch without the mess

Cut and fold all your card bases first. Make one sample of each design, then choose the one you want to repeat. Keep short offcuts on your scrap paper until you are done; they can become tree trunks, gift ribbons, or little accents. Press the finished card fronts once more, especially at the tape ends. If a corner lifts, use a tiny amount of glue under the edge and let it dry flat.

Washi tape is decoration, not a reliable envelope seal. Close the envelope with its regular adhesive or another mailing-safe seal. Before mailing, check that the card lies flat and the address area stays clear.

If you are making a set to give away, tuck the cards and envelopes into a simple paper band. They pair naturally with a small-space holiday gift-wrap station. For another handmade present idea, see these easy embroidery gifts.