9 Ways to Personalize Christmas Cards Without Writing a Novel to Give that Seasonal Wow Factor

Not everyone loves writing lengthy messages in Christmas cards—and that’s perfectly okay! Sometimes the most memorable personal touches aren’t written at all. They’re the physical elements that make someone smile when they open the envelope.

Whether you’re not confident in your writing, you’re short on time, or you simply want to add something extra special, these nine additions will make your Christmas cards feel personalized and thoughtful without requiring you to write a novel.

1. Add a Photo

A photo is the ultimate personalization hack. It instantly makes your card unique and gives recipients a glimpse into your life without you having to write about it.

Photo ideas:

• Family holiday photo (traditional but always appreciated)
• A candid moment from a memorable event this year
• Solo photo or couple photo if you don’t have kids
• Your pet in festive attire (people LOVE pet photos)
• A special moment—graduation, wedding, new home, vacation
• Wallet-size or 4x6 prints work perfectly

2. Include Pressed Flowers or Herbs

For a delicate, unexpected touch, tuck a small pressed flower or herb into your card. This works especially well for close friends and family who will appreciate the extra thoughtfulness.

Ideas:

• Pressed flowers (pansies, daisies, or forget-me-nots are lovely)
• Small sprigs of dried lavender
• A tiny piece of evergreen or pine
• Dried baby’s breath
• Pressed leaves in fall colours (if sending early December)

Pro tip: You can press flowers between heavy books weeks in advance, or buy pre-pressed flowers online. Just make sure they’re completely dry before adding them to your cards to avoid any moisture damage.

3. Choose Cards with Beautiful Matching Envelopes

Before your recipient even opens the card, a beautiful envelope makes an impression. Instead of plain white envelopes that get lost in the mail pile, coordinating envelopes add instant personality—with zero extra work on your part.

Why matching envelopes matter:

• They create a cohesive, polished look
• They stand out in a stack of mail
• They set the tone before the card is even opened
• They show thoughtfulness in every detail

Pro tip: Look for cards that come with perfectly coordinated envelopes, like those from Tree-Free Canada where every envelope matches the card. These sustainably produced cards use recycled paper and VOC-free inks, and are proudly made in Canada. When your envelope already matches your card's design and aesthetic, you get that "wow factor" without having to hunt down separate envelopes or worry about whether colours clash—all while making an eco-conscious choice.

This is personalisation at its easiest—you’re addressing the envelope anyway! The colour and design do the personalising for you, making every card feel intentionally chosen and special.

4. Draw Simple Doodles or Illustrations

You don’t need to be an artist! Simple, hand-drawn elements add personality and warmth. Even basic doodles show you took extra time.

Easy ideas even non-artists can do:

• Small stars or snowflakes scattered around your message
• A simple Christmas tree (just a triangle with a star on top)
• Holly berries (small circles with leaf shapes)
• Dots, swirls, or decorative borders around the edges
• A small heart next to the recipient’s name
• Stick figure snowmen or reindeer (embrace the cuteness!)
• Hand-drawn candy canes or ornaments
• Use coloured pens, markers, or even metallic gel pens to make them pop.

5. Use Decorative Stickers

Stickers are the easiest way to add visual interest and personality to your cards—and they take literally two seconds to apply.

Where to add them:

• Inside the card around your message
• On the envelope flap as a “seal”
• On the front of the envelope for extra festivity
• As decorative borders or corner accents

Sticker ideas:

• Classic holiday themes (snowflakes, Santa, reindeer, ornaments)
• Gold or silver stars
• Vintage-style Christmas seals
• Name stickers or monogram stickers
• “From our family to yours” labels
• You can find holiday stickers at any craft store, dollar store, or online.

6. Add Wax Seals

Wax seals instantly make your cards look elegant and special. And good news—you don’t need to mess with melting wax and stamps anymore.

Options:

• Self-adhesive wax seals: Peel-and-stick versions that look authentic but take seconds to apply
• Traditional wax seals: If you want to go classic, get a wax seal kit with your initial or a festive design (snowflake, tree, etc.)

Use them on:

• The envelope flap to “seal” the card closed
• Inside the card as a decorative element
• On the bottom of your written message as a signature element
• Colours like red, gold, green, or silver are perfect for Christmas.

7. Include Festive Confetti

A little surprise never hurt anyone! When they open the card, a sprinkle of festive confetti adds instant joy.

What to include:

• Small holiday-shaped confetti (trees, stars, snowflakes)
• A pinch of festive table scatter
• Metallic confetti in gold, silver, red, or green
• Biodegradable confetti if you want to be eco-friendly

Pro tip: Avoid using glitter. While it’s festive, it’s also gets everywhere.

8. Add Decorative Tape or Ribbon

A strip of decorative washi tape or a small ribbon can transform a plain card or envelope into something special.

Ideas:

• Washi tape along the edges of the card
• Decorative tape sealing the envelope (instead of licking it—much more fun!)
• A thin ribbon tied in a bow around the card before putting it in the envelope
• Washi tape creating a “frame” around your written message
• Layered tape in holiday colours

Washi tape comes in every pattern imaginable—Christmas trees, candy canes, snowflakes, plaids, and more. One roll goes a long way.

9. Attach a Small Keepsake or Charm

For your extra-special recipients, include a tiny physical keepsake they can keep long after the holidays.

Ideas:

• A small ornament (flat ones work best for mailing)
• A bookmark with a holiday design
• A festive recipe card with one of your favourite holiday recipes
• A handmade gift tag they can use on their presents
• Tea bags in festive flavors (chai, peppermint, gingerbread)
• A lottery scratch-off ticket (fun surprise!)
• Seed packets for spring planting

This obviously isn’t for every card on your list, but for close family and best friends, a little something extra makes your card truly unforgettable.

Mix and Match for Maximum Impact

The best part? You can combine several of these techniques on one card:

• Photo + decorative stickers
• Pressed flower + simple doodle
• Colourful envelope + wax seal
• Confetti + festive stickers inside

Or keep it simple and just pick one. Even a single physical element makes your card stand out from the pile.

You Don’t Need to Be Crafty

Here’s the wonderful thing about these ideas: none of them require advanced artistic skills or hours of time. If you can peel a sticker, slip in a photo, or seal an envelope with wax, you can personalize your Christmas cards.

And when you pair any of these physical touches with even a short, simple written message (“Merry Christmas! Love, the Smiths”), your card will feel thoughtful and special.

The Joy Is in the Details

In our digital world, a physical Christmas card already stands out. But when you add that extra tangible touch—a photo, a pressed flower, a hand-drawn snowflake—you create a moment of delight.

Your friends and family will remember the card that had the sparkle, the one with the wax seal, or the one with your smiling face tucked inside. These small physical additions turn a nice gesture into a cherished keepsake.

So grab your cards, pick your favourite physical touches, and make this year’s Christmas cards ones people will actually want to display!

Browse Tree-Free Canada's collection of Christmas & Holiday cards with matching envelopes and have fun adding the personal touches that make your cards uniquely yours.