Christmas Digital Paper Ideas: Cards, Tags, Wrap and Albums

Christmas is the busiest season for paper crafters: cards, tags, wrap, advent calendars, ornaments and the December album all want coordinating paper at once. Printable Christmas paper means you print exactly what each project needs and never run short of the one pattern you used on every tag. Here are projects for the whole season, with the packs we would use.

Plan one palette for the season

Choose one or two packs and use them across cards, tags and wrap. Matching sets look intentional, and a coordinated pack gives you 20 papers to mix: a bold hero print, a few quieter patterns and some plaids and stripes. Pick a style:

• Vintage Christmas: poinsettias, bells and muted reds and greens. Try Vintage Poinsettia Charm or Vintage Holiday Bell.
• Folk and Scandinavian: little villages, hearts and stars. Try Yuletide Folk Village.
• Farmhouse: gingham, pine sprigs and kraft-friendly tones. Try Farmhouse Christmas or Berry Pine Trees.
• Retro and playful: candy canes, baubles and mint stars. Try Candy Cane Hearth, Holiday Bauble Joy or Retro Mint Stars.

1. Christmas cards

A printed panel on a kraft or white card base is the fastest handmade Christmas card. Print four A2 panels per Letter sheet on 65 lb cardstock, add a greeting sticker or stamp and a bit of twine. For a batch of 20 cards from one pack, use four or five different papers so each card looks a little different. Sizes are in our card guide.

2. Gift tags

Print a sheet of tags in the same pack as your wrap: 8 to 12 per Letter sheet on 80 lb cardstock. Instructions in tags, envelopes and bookmarks.

3. Gift wrap and belly bands

Small gifts can be wrapped completely in a printed sheet. For larger ones, wrap in plain kraft paper and add a wide patterned band and a matching tag. See DIY gift wrap with printable paper.

4. Advent envelopes

Fold 24 small envelopes from five or six different papers, number them and string them along a ribbon or pin them to a board. Fill each with a note, an activity or a small treat.

5. Paper ornaments

• Folded paper stars and fans from text-weight prints.
• Decoupaged wooden ornaments. Laser prints work best, see our decoupage guide.
• Paper chains from 1-inch strips in alternating patterns, a classic for children to help with.

6. December daily album

Many scrapbookers keep a small album for December: one page per day with a photo and a few words. Use the 6 x 6 mini PDF for a 6 x 6 album, or print 4 x 6 and 3 x 4 pocket cards from the Letter PDF. One pack is enough for the whole month.

7. Table settings and treat packaging

• Place cards and menu cards printed on cardstock.
• Cookie bag toppers and labels for homemade jams.
• Napkin bands cut from a coordinating stripe.

Print early

Home printers slow down in December when everyone prints at once, and cardstock sells out at craft stores. Print your card panels and tags in November, store them flat, and the rest of the season is assembly. Our printing guide covers settings.

Get every Christmas pack at once

Our Christmas Digital Paper Collection includes every Christmas pack in one download for about half the price of buying them one by one, with a single license covering all of them. Browse all Christmas digital paper or the winter packs that carry on into January.