Tall handmade Sweet Holiday Wishes Christmas card with red, pink, and blue glitter peppermint candies and silver glitter wrappers on a white panel over a blue card base

How to Make Christmas Cards with Cricut (Maker 3, Explore Air 2, or Joy)

November 6, 2026

To make Christmas cards with a Cricut, upload or pick a card design in Design Space, set the fold line to Score, and cut the card base from smooth 67 lb cardstock. Then cut your trees, ornaments, or candies from glitter or mirror cardstock, stick them down with double sided tape, and use foam tape to pop a layer up. It works the same way on a Cricut Maker 3, Explore Air 2, or Cricut Joy.

Christmas cards are my favorite thing to make in November. One sheet of cardstock and a few scraps of glitter turn into a card people actually keep on the mantel. Here's the whole process, plus what changes depending on which Cricut you have.

Shop Smooth Cardstock · Shop Glitter Cardstock · Shop Christmas

What you'll need to make Christmas cards with Cricut

Smooth 67 lb cardstock for the card base and layers
Shed-free glitter cardstock or mirror cardstock for the shiny pieces
Double sided craft tape for flat layers
White foam tape to lift a layer off the card
A card design (an SVG you upload, or one from Design Space)
A StandardGrip mat for smooth cardstock and a LightGrip mat for glitter and mirror
A scoring stylus or scoring wheel, if your machine uses one

Step by step: how to make a Christmas card with Cricut

Step 1: Pick your design and size it

Upload your SVG with the Upload button in Design Space, or pick a card design you like. Size the card base so it folds to the size you want. A standard A2 card is 4.25" x 5.5" folded, so the flat base is 8.5" x 5.5".

Step 2: Turn the fold line into a score line

If your design has a line down the middle, select it and change the operation from Cut to Score. Then select the line and the card base together and click Attach, so the score lands in the right spot on the card. Skip this and your card gets cut in half.

Step 3: Cut the base from smooth cardstock

Put your smooth cardstock on a StandardGrip mat, choose the Cardstock setting, and cut. Smooth solid-core cardstock takes a crisp fold and doesn't flash a white edge where it's cut.

Step 4: Cut the shiny pieces on a LightGrip mat

Cut glitter and mirror cardstock on a LightGrip mat. A lower tack mat lets you peel the pieces off without scratching the mirror or pulling at the glitter. Pick a glitter or mirror setting that matches your material, and run a small test cut first.

Step 5: Assemble the card

Fold the base along the score line. Stick flat layers down with double sided tape. For the pieces you want to pop, like a sentiment or a tree, add a few small pieces of foam tape on the back. Foam tape lifts a layer off the card so it casts a little shadow.

Step 6: Add your sentiment

Cut it from a contrast color, draw it with a Cricut pen, or print it on printable cardstock and trim it to fit. Printable cardstock is handy for the inside message too.

Making Christmas cards with Cricut Maker 3, Explore Air 2, or Joy

The steps are the same on every machine. What changes is mat size and scoring.

Cricut Maker 3 and Explore Air 2: both take a full 12x12 sheet on a mat, so you can cut a card base and the layers from one sheet. Both can score with a scoring tool, and the Maker can also use the scoring wheel.
Cricut Joy: the mat is narrower, so size your card to fit or cut it in pieces. Joy doesn't score, so fold your base against a ruler with a bone folder instead.

Cardstock always goes on a mat, even on the Maker 3. Matless cutting is for Smart Materials, not cardstock.

Christmas card ideas to try

A peppermint spinner card: the card at the top of this post has candies that actually spin. Each candy sits on a tiny cardstock spinner. The Bonus Day Supplies pack has the cardstock for it, and the All-in-One option adds the foam tape and spinners.
A modern metallic tree card: brown mirror and brown glitter trees on crisp white. That one and a mini pop-up reindeer card are both in the Christmas Craft Week Cardstock Variety Pack.
A shaker card: a clear window full of sequins. My shaker card tutorial walks you through it.
A spinning card: see my cardstock spinners post for more ideas.

Not sure which colors to stock for the season? My Christmas cardstock guide covers the ones I reach for.

Tips for better Cricut Christmas cards

Keep glitter and mirror off the fold: a sharp fold can crack the finish. Use them as flat accents on top of a smooth base.
Peel the mat, not the paper: flip the mat over and bend it away from your cut. The cardstock stays flat and tiny pieces don't tear.
Batch your cuts: once one card works, duplicate it in Design Space and cut a whole stack.
Cut a matching envelope: a kraft or white envelope cut from the same cardstock finishes the card.

Frequently asked questions

What cardstock is best for Cricut Christmas cards?

I use smooth 67 lb (about 180 gsm) solid-core cardstock for the card base because it scores and folds cleanly. Then I add shed-free glitter or mirror cardstock as flat accents.

Can you make Christmas cards with a Cricut Joy?

Yes. Size the card to fit the Joy's narrower mat, or cut it in pieces. The Joy doesn't score, so fold the base against a ruler with a bone folder.

How do I stop my Cricut from cutting my card in half?

Select the fold line, change the operation from Cut to Score, then attach it to the card base before you cut.

Can I fold glitter cardstock for a card base?

I don't recommend it. A sharp fold can crack the glitter finish. Fold a smooth cardstock base and glue the glitter on top.

What size should a handmade Christmas card be?

A standard A2 card is 4.25" x 5.5" folded, so cut the base at 8.5" x 5.5" and score it down the middle.

Happy card making