How to Create Christmas Cards in Canva
Sending holiday cards is still a holiday tradition that so many people love! Receiving and hanging cards around their homes for the holiday season is still a joyous moment of the holiday season, but times have changed over the past few years. Nowadays you can even send digital cards for your friends and family to cherish. There are plenty of ways you can customize your own holiday cards to add family photos, quotes, and much more. You don’t need to have much knowledge in design, Canva lets you fully customize cards all in one place. Check out these step by step instructions to learn how to create Christmas cards in Canva.
Canva Christmas Cards
Folded cards
Step 1:. Click here to access this already pre-designed folded card template used for these instructions.
*If you have a Canva account you can log-in or you can sign up quickly. You don’t need to do this to create your own cards but if you want to upload your own images and use some of the additional special features you will need to.
This template has two pages. Page one is the outside of the card, page two is the inside. Each page is fully customizable!
Step 2: If you want to change the background color, click on the top template. You can click on the top of the screen to open up the color option channel, or click on the background tab at the bottom of the left panel to change the background to a pattern.
Step 3.Change the text to add your own holiday message. Click on the text box and delete the current text to replace it with whatever you desire. At the top of the page, you will see an option to change the font, size, color, alignment, and add effects.
If you click on the effects option, another box will appear on the left side of the screen. Here you will see options to add shadows, outlines, and other great effects. Test out a few to see which ones you like most. You can do this with the second page as well!
Step 4: You can add your own image. First, click on the current image and hit the little garbage can icon near the top right of the page. Click on delete image. You will have an image placeholder left in the space where the image was, leave this place holder there.
Next, if you want to upload your own image click the uploads option from the left panel, search for the image you want to upload from your computer. Upload then add it to your image
You can also replace the image with one of Canva’s free or paid images. Click on the photo image on the left side panel, in the search bar search for images you would like to see (for this example we type in Christmas). When you find something you like double click it and it will be added to the first-page template.
Once you have your image chosen, drag it over to the image placeholder. You may need to crop or resize the image so it fits neatly into the placeholder.
Step 5: When you are satisfied you can download your image. Once downloaded you can print each page and fold them together to create your card.
You can also use the Canva Print option. Click on the three dots at the top of the right side of the page. Scroll down a little until you see the Print category. Click on the folded card option. You will get to see your design as it will be printed, select the Both Sides option so that the first and second page will be printed on your folded card.
*You will need to be signed into canva via email, Google, or Facebook, to use this option.
This is a paid feature but you have 1, 5, 10, or more cards printed. You can also have envelopes included in your order for an additional fee.
Animated eCards
Step 1: Click here to use the template in these instruction.
Step 2: Change the background color. Click on the color square at the top of the screen (it will be the same color as the background on the template.) Choose the color you want to change it to. You can customize your colors further if you can’t find what you are looking for in the default color options.
You can also click on the background option on the left side panel and choose a textured background. Because this template already has a number of elements a solid color works best.
Step 3: Add your own image. Click on the image on the template then click on the little garbage can on the right side of the top panel to delete the default image. You will be left with the frame outline. You can change the frame by clicking on the elements option from the side panel. Scroll down a little until you see the frames category. Click on and you will find a variety of frames to choose from, there are even ones that let you add more than one image!
Click on the frame you want to use to add it to your template, delete the old frame to keep everything organized. Then move it around to position it where you would like. Resize it to fit in the space better.
You can add your own image by clicking on the uploads option on the left side panel. You can upload from your device, Google Drive, DropBox, and some social media platforms. Once you have found your image upload it.
You can also choose from one of Canva’s images. You can browse through and find a number of great holiday images, but if you want to personalize your holiday cards using Canva, it is best to choose one of you and your family.
Once you have chosen your image drag it over to the frame and it should automatically fill the space.
Step 4: Next, you can edit the text. Click on the text box and delete the default text to change it and share your holiday message. The top panel gives you plenty of options to customize your text.
Step 5: Click on the Animate option at the top of the page. After you have your image selected you can animate your card. Click on the animate option from the top panel. Some animations only move the text part of the images. Others move all the elements. Try them all out to see which ones you like best.
You can add additional animated elements by clicking on the elements option from the side panel. Scroll a little until you see the stickers category. Here you will find a number of moving graphics that you can add to your holiday eCard.
Step 6: When you are ready to download click on the download option at the top of the page. You can download it as an MP3 video or GIF to ensure the animation works properly.
You can also choose the share option to email your design to friends and family. Or click on the copy link button to share.
When you are all done your friends and family will love the fun animated card you created just for them!
Traditional Cards
Step 1: Click here to use the template in these instructions.
Step 2: Change the background. Delete the current background, then click on the background option from the side panel. Scroll through to find a free background to use. If the background is not free you will see criss-cross lines and the Canva logo appear when you add the image. You can pay for the image or choose another option.
Step 3: Change the text. Click on the text box, then the ungroup option at the top of the page. Now you will be able to delete text boxes you don’t want to use and change the text, font, and effects.
You can customize your text from the top panel. Click on Effects for more editing options, like the curved text we used.
Step 4: Add shapes or other elements from the side panel.
Here we added a shapes layer to help the text stand out more, When you add a shape click on the position option to move back so it is placed behind the text. You can also adjust the transparency. Then move the shape box so it is positioned nicely behind your text layer.
Step 5: When you have finished designing your card click on the download option or the down-facing arrow if you are logged into your Canva account and click download.
You also have the option to print your design through canva.
These templates will get you started creating your own holiday cards. There are many more to choose from though. You can search through the Canva Card templates to find dozens of templates for Christmas cards and more. Simple browse, click edit, and customize.
