If you are on a real tight budget this Christmas or just love to be crafty during the holidays here are some wonderful homemade Christmas card ideas for you to try this holiday season.

There are many types of crafts from paper projects to yarn, tile, paint, clay and any number of other mediums. Take a stroll through your local craft supply store for some good inspiration. Crafts can be done to decorate the home, use as gifts or to keep hands busy.

* Christmas Card Wreath *

Step #1 - You will need a large piece of cardboard. Draw a circle the size you wish the wreath to be. Now cut out the circle and draw another circle in the middle so that you leave at least 6" all around the outside of the circle.

Step #2 - You will need all those old Christmas cards you have stashed away in the attic, or under your bed or perhaps in the basement.

Step #3 - Kids love to go through these old Christmas cards picking out their favorites to use in this craft.

Step #4 - Line up the cards on the wreath so they encircle the wreath side by side. You can overlap the cards for a great affect.

Step #5 - Now glue the card backs to the wreath where you want them until the entire wreath is covered with Christmas cards.

Step #6 - Attach a holiday bow and you have a fantastic wreath for your home.

* Candle Holder *

Supplies you will need:

Old Christmas Cards

Small glass jars from jams or baby food

Glue

Paint Brush

Rubber band

Salt

What to do:

Step #1 - Cut out a favorite Christmas scene from one of the cards. The size needs to fit on the side of the jar.

Step #2 - glue the back of the picture and place it on the side of the jar

Step #3 - Use the rubber band to hold the picture in place until the glue dries

Step #4 - After the glue dries, remove the rubber band

Step #5 - Use the paintbrush to cover the outside of the jar with glue.

Step #6 - sprinkle the salt over all of the glue to make the jar glisten.

Step #7 - Let the glue dry.

Step #8 - Place a piece of curling ribbon around the rim of the jar and place a candle in the jar

* Bookmarks *

To make bookmarks from old Christmas Cards you will need to have the following supplies:

Old Christmas Cards

Cardboard or posterboard

Paint, Markers or Crayons

Glue

Clear Contact Paper

What to do:

Step #1 - Cut a strip from the cardboard or posterboad (which ever you are using), about 8" X 2" in size.

Step #2 - Cut a picture from one of the Christmas cards.

Step #3 - Glue the picture that you cut out to the top of the strip.

Step #4 - Wait for the glue to dry

Step #5 - Write a holiday greeting or the name of the person you are giving it to.

Step #6 - Cover the new bookmark with clear contact paper or have it laminated

* Artwork Magnet *

- Everyone loves magnets!

Supplies:

3 Clothespins (the spring kind)

Glue

Magnet Strip

Paint

Paint Stir Stick

What to do:

Step #1 - Paint the paint stir stick any color you wish.

Step #2 - Paint the 3 clothespins a matching color or a contrasting color.

Step #3 - Wait for the paint to dry

Step #4 - Glue the 3 clothespins onto the stir stick ( one in the middle, one about 2" from each end).

Step #5 - Paint to decorate or use a marker to decorate. You can also write a message on the remaining sections of stick.

Step #6 - Attach the magnet strip to the back of the paint stir stick.

Step #7 ? Wrap in holiday gift wrap and tie with ribbons and bows.