Handmade Greeting Cards: Easy Card Making Ideas for Any Occasion

Handmade greeting cards say far more than shop-bought ones. Whether it is for a birthday, Avurudu, Vesak, Christmas, a wedding or a thank-you to a teacher, a few simple materials and an hour of time are all you need. This guide covers the card, tools and decorations, plus easy designs to try.

Handmade greeting cards: choosing card

• Ivory Paper 240gsm A4: thick, smooth card, sturdy enough to stand up when folded. An A4 sheet folds into a large card or cuts into two A6 cards. An A3 size is also available.
• Conqueror Paper White A5, 260gsm: a premium paper with a refined finish, ideal for wedding cards, invitations and calligraphy.
• Decorative layers: coloured paper, wrapping paper such as our Wrapping Paper sheets, or offcuts from old projects.

Card making tools

• Scissors: Seaking Scissors (S) for general cutting and Zig Zag Scissors for decorative edges.
• Shapes: a Craft Puncher for neat decorative shapes, and a Bomeijia Compass Cutter for perfect circles.
• Glue and tape: a glue stick or Double Side Tape keeps layers flat. Our glue guide explains which glue to use.
• Folding: a ruler and a blunt tool, such as the back of a butter knife, to score a crisp fold.

Decorations

• Glitter Tape Roll for quick, sparkly borders.
• Spray Shiny Stamper Dye for shimmering backgrounds.
• Acrylic Marker Painter 6 pcs for bold lettering and doodles on card.
• Gel pens, colour pencils, watercolour, ribbon, buttons and pressed flowers.

Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price.

How to make a basic card

1. Cut your card to size. Measure and lightly mark the fold line.
2. Score along the line with a ruler and blunt tool, then fold and press the crease flat.
3. Cut a slightly smaller piece of coloured or patterned paper for the front and glue it on.
4. Add a focal point: a punched shape, a painted flower, a cut-out heart or a photo.
5. Write your greeting on the front, and a message inside.
6. Let glue and paint dry before putting the card in an envelope.

Easy designs to try

• Layered hearts: punch or cut hearts in three sizes and stack them.
• Pop-up card: cut two short slits across the fold, push the tab inside, and glue a shape onto it.
• Watercolour wash: paint a soft wash on card, then letter over it once dry.
• Avurudu or Vesak lantern: cut a lantern shape and decorate it with glitter tape.
• Christmas tree: layer zig-zag cut green strips into a tree shape.
• Thank-you card for teachers: a pencil or apple cut-out with the class’s signatures.

Envelopes and finishing touches

• Make a simple envelope by folding a square of paper corner to corner around the card, then gluing the side flaps.
• Add a matching sticker or punched shape to seal the envelope.
• Sign and date the back of the card, so the person remembers it was handmade by you.
• For a set, make the same design in several colours; it saves time and looks professional.
• Keep a small box of offcuts, ribbon and buttons for future cards.

Lettering your card

Simple, neat lettering lifts any card. Pencil the words first, then go over them with a pen or marker. Our hand lettering for beginners guide shows easy styles, and the calligraphy guide is ideal for wedding and formal cards.

Frequently asked questions

What paper weight is good for cards?

Card around 240gsm or more folds neatly and stands up well, which is why ivory paper is a popular choice.

How do I stop the card from cracking at the fold?

Score the fold line first with a blunt tool and a ruler, then fold.

Can children make these cards?

Yes. Children can do most steps with safety scissors and glue sticks; adults should handle craft knives and cutters.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you choose card and tools for card making.

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