Festive Holiday Tags

Try these free Christmas crafts from C&T Publishing. Make festive holiday tags to adorn your homemade Christmas gifts this year and you'll have a truly handmade holiday.

Materials:

• Ready-to-Go!® Blank Board Book 5″ x 3″ Tag 2-Pack
• Designer paper—background
• Chalk ink—background
•  Design materials: diecuts, photos, glitter, brads, rhinestones, etc.
• Ribbon for attaching tag
• Craft knife
• Metal-edged ruler
• Paper adhesive
• File or sandpaper
   

Instructions:

1. With a sharp craft knife and a metal edged ruler, cut pages away from book. Due to the construction of the book, some tags will be slightly shorter than others.
    
2. Place background of choice on tag.

Background:

1. Paper background: Trace around tag on the wrong side of your scrapbook paper. Cut out and glue in place with dry adhesive. With a file or fine grit sand paper sand off the edges for a uniform look.
    
2. Ink background: Use chalk ink and with a circular motion directly color the tag with the ink pad. Remember to do the edges and the reverse side.
    
3. Fabric background: Fuse fabric onto the tag using a fusible fabric adhesive. Once ironed in place trim away excess fabric.

Design:

1. Select stickers, die cuts, or photos to cut and place on your tag. Use glitter, brads, rhinestones, felt, or other embellishments to personalize the tags. (for stores this is a great way to use up some broken packages, or highlight new embellishments you want to feature. Also a great way to sell various dies or feature the different die cut machines you have in stock.)
    
2. Tie with a ribbon and place on package. Good way to sell small cuts of ribbon, combine ribbons for a fun or elegant look.

Some other ideas:

• Tree ornaments. Use several tags strung together to spell out holiday wishes or someone’s name (like a garland).
• Use vintage photos of the recipient for the “to” side and a vintage photo of the giver on the “from” side.
• Number them 1–12 for The “Twelve Days of Christmas” or 1–25 as an Advent Calendar.
• Everyday uses – label hooks in a hallway or make a key tag for visiting guests.
• Larger tag book (see createandtreasure.com) – make a “baby is sleeping,” “my room,” or “stay out!” door sign.
• Backpack or musical instrument case ID tag.