One of the biggest reasons I never send out holiday cards is because I simply don’t have $60 to spend on cards I always thought I could make better at home. And that’s not even including postage!

So this year, with a glass of wine in hand (okay – three) and Love, Actually playing on the television, I settled down to do just that – making two different types below.

Here’s how you can do the same!

All supplies from Michael’s:

1. For tree: Green scrapbooking paper (pictured: Recollections Basics in Green Damask)
2. For snowman: Sheets of black and white scrapbooking paper (pictured: Cosette Collection #304 – Floral Garden)
3. Flat Cards and Envelopes in black (pictured: Recollections brand, size A7 in black)
4. One piece of semi-thick black card stock
5. Wooden Squares (I used Woodsies, 130 piece bag consisting of small, medium and large squares)
6. Red wrapping paper
7. Gold and green wrapping paper ribbon
8. Silver gel pen

To make presents:

Step One: Cut squares of wrapping paper just larger than the size of the wooden chip.

Step Two: Place square diagonally inside.

Step Three: Fold edges over and secure with tape. Now your “present” is wrapped.

Step Four: Cut two pieces of ribbon – each just short of being able to wrap around completely.Wrap first piece of ribbon around and secure with tape (on the side where the paper is messy.)Wrap second piece of ribbon around and secure with final piece of tape.

To make Christmas tree:

Step One: Draw the outline of a Christmas tree onto your card stock, approximately four inches tall. Cut it out and voila, tree stencil.

Step Two: Trace Christmas trees onto the non-decorative side of your green scrapbooking paper. To maximize the space, flip the tree tracings head to toe.

Step Three: Glue the tree to the flat black card using regular glue.

Step Four: Place two presents at base of tree.

Step Five: Write your holiday message on top with a glitter pen.

To make Snowman:

Step One: Create your stencils by drawing three freehand circles – one small, one medium, one large. If you prefer perfect circles, a protractor can make it easy or trace around everyday items in the house like soda bottle lid.

Step Two: Trace your stencils onto the non-decorated side of the black and white scrapbooking paper.

Step Three: Create your snowman by gently layering the circles on top of one another and securing with glue.

Step Four: If you’d like your snowman to be carrying his presents, draw small stick arms and place the presents at the end.

Step Five: Write your holiday message at the top!