There’s something about the holiday season that just makes you want to look back on all the good stuff from the year, you know? For me, one of those highlights was a trip to the mountains. And being the sentimental type, I brought home a little stone from that trip—flat, smooth, perfect. It sat on my shelf for a while, and I knew I wanted to do something with it… something that would keep those mountain vibes alive in my home, especially during the holidays. That’s how this DIY Christmas card holder was born!
This project is simple, super adaptable, and the best part? It’s like a memory you can put on display. During Christmas, it holds holiday cards, and once the season’s over, I switch to photos or little notes that make me smile.
What You’ll Need
- A flat stone (or as close to flat as you can get—mine’s a bit wonky, but it works!)
- Air-dry clay (seriously, no one has time to bake clay)
- Wire (for the photo/card holders)
- Acrylic paint in white, gray, and silver (get that snowy mountain look)
- Paintbrushes and a sponge (the sponge is for texture—it’s a game-changer)
- Hot glue gun (for when it’s all ready to come together)
So, first up, making those little mountains. Start by cutting a chunk of clay.
Roll it out, and cut it into triangles. Here’s where I got a little overconfident—my first few were way too perfect, like little pyramids, which looked kinda weird.
Smooth them a bit with water.
Mountains aren’t perfect, right? I ended up shaping each one with my hands, pressing the base onto the stone so it’d fit nice and snug. It’s messy, but trust me, it makes a difference. The trick is to keep the bottom aligned with the stone so they sit just right. For my holder, I made four mountains, two big ones in the back and two smaller ones in front. Play around with it—depending on the size of your stone, you might want a different setup.
Once the mountains were ready, I took pieces of wire, twisted them into little rings, and popped them into the tops of the two taller mountains. These loops are where the cards or photos go, so make sure they’re secure. My first try? I pushed the wire in too shallow, and it wobbled like crazy once I tried to add a card. Lesson learned: press them in deep and add a tiny bit of extra clay around the base if you need to. Now, let those mountains dry for about two days. Yes, it’s a long wait, but patience, my friend!.
When the clay’s finally dry, it’s painting time! I went with a gray and silver mix for that classic, frosty mountain look, leaving the very tops white for snowcaps. At first, I was trying to paint a straight line for the snow, but honestly? A more uneven line looked way better—more natural. Then I added some white specks on the gray parts to look like fallen snow or frost. If you want, lighten the paint on the front mountains to add depth to the scene.
Now, for the stone. I used a sponge (a regular dish sponge, cut into a small piece) and dabbed white paint over the surface, letting some of the stone color peek through. This part was so satisfying—like instant winter magic! And it actually looked like snow! If you’re going for a realistic vibe, don’t go overboard with the white—less is more here. Once you’re happy with it, let it dry completely.
Finally, glue time. I used a hot glue gun to attach each mountain to the stone. It’s pretty forgiving—just press each one down and hold it for a few seconds. Once everything’s set, stick in a card or photo, and voilà! You’ve got a cozy, little Christmas card holder that’ll bring back those mountain memories every time you look at it.
This little display is versatile enough for any time of year. During Christmas, I like to surround it with a few pine branches or mini ornaments to give it that festive touch. But come January, I swap in a couple of favorite family photos, and it’s like a piece of winter décor that fits perfectly on the mantel or by the windowsill.
And there you have it—a DIY Christmas card holder that not only celebrates the season but keeps those precious mountain memories alive. What I love most about this project is its versatility. It makes a charming holiday gift for anyone who loves a touch of nature in their decor. Plus, it’s not just for Christmas! After the holiday season, it doubles as a winter photo holder, perfect for displaying family snapshots or special moments from snowy adventures.
This isn’t the first time I’ve made something meaningful from objects picked up on a trip, either. A few months back, I created a pebble anniversary gift with stones we’d collected, and it still holds a special place in our grandparents’ home. There’s just something about turning travel mementos into decor that makes a house feel more like home. So if you’ve got a stone from a trip lying around, don’t wait—give it a purpose and let those memories shine all year long!