Mid-March seems like a funny time to be talking about Christmas crafts, but that is indeed when we started planning this story. The craft was chosen, the samples were on the table, and editor-in-chief Susan Antonacci said, "Wouldn't it be great if we could photograph some kids making these cards?"

Lucky for us, my mom, Jean Gilliland, had a class full of Grade 2 students who were ready and willing to help us out. On a sunny day in May, we arrived at Ridgeway Public School, in Ridgeway, Ont., laden with craft supplies and cameras, and ready to get creative.

Jean and her class had turned back the calendar page (literally), decorated their classroom with paper snowflakes and Santas, and dressed up in their favourite winter clothes – despite the 20°C weather. After a few minutes of instruction, the kids got down to work and spent a fun afternoon cutting, pasting and glittering. See the results of their crafting – and learn how to make your own cards – below.

Here's a photo of the kids hard at work.

Festive tree Christmas cards
After the basic cutting and pasting are completed, then comes the fun part – decorating! The sky's the limit with these festive cards: mix and match papers; add glitter, buttons and ribbon; or break out a special marker to write your message on the inside. If you don’t want to make a Christmas tree, try cutting out a different seasonal shape, such as a snowflake, star or ornament.

You need:
• 8-1/2 x 11-inch sheet white card stock
• Tree template (available here)
• 2 pieces scrapbooking paper, wrapping paper or card stock, each 15 x 20 cm (6 x 8 inches)
• Glitter, buttons, ribbon and scrapbooking embellishments
• Pencil, scissors, craft glue and ruler
• Markers or pencil crayons

Check out a photo of the fabulous completed Christmas cards.

To make:
1. Fold white card stock in half, matching short ends and sharply creasing folded edge.

2. Download and print tree template. Cut out; trace onto wrong side of both pieces of scrapbooking paper. Cut out both trees.

3. Glue 1 tree to front of card. Using ruler as guide, fold second tree vertically in half, right sides together. Apply thin line of glue to crease on wrong side; glue second tree to first. Let dry.

4. Glue on decorations as desired. Add message to inside of card.

This story was originally titled "Small Hands, Big Heart" in the December 2010 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!