Christmas card ideas – creative ways to display season's greetings around the home

Sending season's greetings is a tradition that never goes out of style. Each day brings a new flurry being posted through the door, from old and new friends and family, constantly reminding you that it's time to send out yours too! Style it out this year by looking for Christmas cards ideas to display, rather than simply filling every available surface.

At first they get lined up along the mantelpiece, but you soon find yourself running out of space. Or perhaps you don't have a mantelpiece so from the off you're trying to think of an inspiring way to display your cards. Well look no further than the below ideas to make sure each and every card takes pride of place in your home.

Christmas card ideas: ways to display

From buying card holders to fashion a display to making your own DIY one with lengths of ribbon, there's a wealth of creative way to show off Christmas cards. We explore some of the most creative Christmas card ideas to show them off in our homes.

1. Drape ribbon over the back of doors

Doors are the ideal blank canvas to welcome a splash of yule time decorating and festive sentiments. Cut lengths of ribbon, choosing one to suit your wider Christmas decorating colour scheme, and pin them to the top of the door. A simple drawing pin will do the trick and be unseen to the eye, because it's on the top of the door – plus it won't leave any holes visible once removed.

Let the ribbons hang down the back of the door, you can choose to white tack these in place to stop the ribbons moving if the door is used – but if it remains open you should find the weight of the clipped cards will keep them in place.

2. Make your own DIY card holder

Create your own DIY card holder for displaying  your festive best – all you need is a hoop and some ribbon. Choose a gold hoop, or simple paint a decorative one, to give the display a festive theme and simply cut to length strips of ribbon to dress the hoop.

The ribbon lengths form the 'ladder-like-runs' to peg your cards to to. Add a sprig of foliage for a stylish finishing touch and hang securely on a wall to show off your cards galore.

3. Arrange cards in a Christmas tree shape

Using white tac, Washi tape or masking tape, attach your Christmas cards to the wall or door in a triangle shape, replicating a Christmas tree. Try to use smaller cards at the top, getting progressively larger in size towards the bottom. Place a cut out star or star decoration at the top of the display to really give it that Christmas tree feel.

4. Line the shelves

Fill a dresser or kitchen cabinet with seasonal cards to welcome a festive touch to the kitchen. The shelves provide the perfect tiered levels to stagger a display, with the potential to hang cards from each one – as the shelf spaces starts to run out. Add faux foliage and simple decorations on each Shelf to enhance the festive look.

5. Peg cards to a vase arrangement

Create a simple seasonal vase arrangement using woodland twigs in a generous vase to hang baubles, fairy lights or Christmas cards from the branches. To attach cards to the branches simply use mini wooden pegs to enhance the rustic feel.

Dried twigs is an arrangement that requires no upkeep – no water needed, making it perfect for the lengthy festive period.

6. Tuck them into a window mirror

Make a hall mirror idea feel festive by tucking Christmas cards in around the edges. This work brilliantly with a mirror window, where the panes naturally provide a gap to place cards in gently. Alternatively, invest in an old pair of shutters that you can tuck Christmas cards into for a festive centrepiece.

7. Style on-trend shutters

Perfect for the cottagecore trend, this idea shows how distressed painted shutters can provide the perfect place to create a charming card display. A distressed green is the ideal complimentary festive shade to add a splash of background colour to enhance the festive display.

Whether using functioning shutters on a window, or sourcing vintage shutters purely for decoration this idea is sure to accommodate all your Christmas cards.

8. String up with a beaded garland

Bead garlands are a delicate alternative to tinsel or an evergreen garland. Bedazzle a mantle piece with a strand of beads, and peg your Christmas cards to each loop as shown above. Or hang then down the wall like a beaded curtain with cards clipped to the strands.

9. Swap out your picture ledges

If you have picture ledges at home consider swapping our your usual prints for Christmas cards. This display has taken advantage of a row of wooden ledges for the cards. Make sure you select a mix of different size and shape cards for an interesting mix.

10. Hang from the staircase

Make the most of a staircase by hanging them with Christmas cards. Choose a wide strip of ribbon and tie it to the banister in a big bow at the top and bottom, leave a long strip of ribbon running between the two. Attach the Christmas cards to the ribbon using bulldog clips in a complementary colour. Cluster the cards together for a full looking display.

11. Adorn a decorative display on wrapping paper

Get creative with the way you display your Christmas cards by opting for this quirky DIY effort using wrapping paper as a decorative backdrop. Use Washi tape to hang a piece of your favourite wrapping paper on a focal wall.

Next fashion a tree shape using ribbon and stick on hooks. Either drape your Christmas cards and Christmas decorations through said ribbon, or stick cards into place with blu-tack. Voila!

12. Hang from ribbon

Ribbon of all widths and colours can be hung pretty much anywhere, whether its along the banisters, from the back of doors or just along a spare bit of wall. From there you can either staple, paper clip or peg your cards onto the ribbon – either in a neat, organised fashion, or more loosely and angled.

Tying cute bows at the top of each ribbon length also adds to the look.

13. In a frame or pinboard

Either use a pin board with a pretty frame and pin each card in a random, layered fashion or tie string across the frame and peg each card in a line to the string. The frames can then be lent on a shelf, mantelpiece or ledge and work in any sizes.

You can even have one in each room and colour code your cards to match a room or scheme.

14. Peg to a twig tree

If you're able to forage a fallen branch, or even just a few twigs, arranged in a vase or jar, they then become the perfect place to hang your Christmas cards from with pretty ribbons or twine. Or if the twigs are slim enough, use mini pegs to attached each card and then hang mini decorations in between each one too.

15. Make a card wreath

Wire ring card holders are a great way to create a wreath of cards that can they be hung from a door or propped up on a shelf. Just slot your cards between each wire shape, and either layer up the cards crossing over each other, or leave space between so you can see each card in full. A few hung together looks really effective and a great alternative to a fresh wreath.

16. Use a wire card holder

Using a wire card holder means you only need a shallow space to place it, and then its super easy to display your cards in varying heights and shapes. Put smaller ones in the middle, larger ones at the back and the rest can be placed alongside and in front. It can also be used again for birthdays, and other celebrations through-out the year.

17. Display in a hamper

If you're short on space, but still want to display your cards together, then making a feature of them layered up in a wicker hamper will allow you show off the prettiest ones but still keep them altogether. Intertwine with lights and ribbons for a twinkling display.

18. Show off with foliage

This card display is the perfect way to add some extra decoration to an evergreen display in your home. Rather than splashing out on extra baubles or pine cones, add another dimension to the greenery by simply pegging your Christmas cards on. Pretty and cost effective.

Now you've seen our creative Christmas card ideas you'll be ready for when the festive mail starts to arrive!