Adding a DIY Touch to Your Holiday Cards

Make your custom holiday cards extra-special by adding your own personal touches. Your family and friends will love - and keep - your cards to enjoy for years.

How to DIY Your Holiday Cards

Whether you've chosen foil holiday photo cards for Christmas, Hanukkah or any other holiday, adding personal touches can make a tremendous impact on your recipients. Try these tips to make your cards more personal:

• Hand-letter names on the envelopes
• Decorate and embellish envelopes
• Add a wax seal
• Include a personal note
• Tuck a recipe in the envelope
• Send your card with a DIY holiday gift you made yourself

Here's a closer look at how you can do each of these things.

1. Hand-Letter Names

You don't have to be a calligraphy expert to make your recipients feel more special when they receive your card. If you have a bit of patience and some time to practice, you can hand-letter the names on each envelope (or on the back of a photo card) to personalize them.

2. Decorate and Embellish Envelopes

Decorate envelopes with personalized sketches - even small holiday images, like snowmen or trees are great. If you're not so artistically inclined, you can create borders or add other embellishments with stamps or stencils. Consider adding textured scrapbook materials, ribbon or paper embellishments, too.

Pro tip: Avoid adding anything that sticks out from the envelope if you're sending it through the mail.

3. Add a Wax Seal

You can order special wax and personalized seals that are easy to apply and create an authentic touch. Each type of wax will come with its own usage instructions, but generally, you simply melt the wax over the envelope and press the seal into it as it cools. While these types of wax seals won't usually make it through the U.S. Postal Service, they're great if you're hand-delivering cards.

4. Include a Personal Note

Adding a personal note to each holiday card you send is a great way to connect with your friends and family. Some people choose to type and print letters with updates on their own families, while others scrawl a note on the back of photo cards or on matching stationery. You can keep things simple or write a complete letter, which is far more personal than what most people include (and it'll definitely help your card stand out in the sea of other holiday greetings your friends and family will receive).

5. Tuck a Recipe in the Envelope

Sharing a treasured (and simple) recipe is a great way to add a personal touch to a card. Opt for something that everyone can enjoy, like cookies or snacks. You can have the recipe printed on a magnet or hand-write it on an index card. If you're sharing a family recipe that's been passed down through generations, it's always nice to make copies of the original - in the creator's handwriting - and include that instead.

6. Add a DIY Holiday Gift

Everyone loves receiving gifts, and fortunately, there are several you can make yourself. From small jars containing sugar scrubs to catch-all trays and cookie kits, you can add a special touch to anyone's holiday season by adding a gift from the heart.

How Do You Personalize Your Holiday Cards?

We'd love to hear your suggestions on how to DIY your holiday cards. Whether you decorate envelopes or do something else to make your cards more special, please share a photo with us on Instagram (we're @Mixbook) or share a link to something you've done in the comments below. Your ideas could inspire thousands of others, so please feel free to share as much as you'd like.