15 Unique Ways to Display Holiday Cards at Home

Turn your stack of holiday cards into stylish décor that brightens your home. These creative ideas help you showcase greetings with style and heart.


Key takeaways:

  • Turn holiday cards into festive décor with creative holiday card display ideas like wall hangings, garlands, table centerpieces, and Christmas card trees.
  • Thoughtful holiday card displays add warmth, personality, and a personal touch to your home while celebrating connections with loved ones.
  • There are plenty of space-saving ways to display holiday cards that fit any style, theme, or home size.

Holiday cards pile up quickly, and it can be hard to know what to do with them beyond tucking them into a drawer. Instead of letting your greetings collect dust, you can turn them into festive décor that brightens up your home and keeps those thoughtful messages on display. From simple ideas you can pull together in minutes to more creative setups that double as seasonal décor, there are so many ways to showcase your cards in style.

Here are 15 unique holiday card display ideas that work for any space or aesthetic. And when it’s time to send your own personalized holiday cards, Minted offers beautiful designs that are just as fun to display as they are to send.


Why should you display holiday cards?

Displaying holiday cards is more than just finding a place for them. It’s about celebrating connections, boosting holiday spirit, and keeping joyful memories visible all season (or year) long. Holiday card display ideas can turn simple greetings into meaningful décor, making your home feel festive, welcoming, and filled with personal touches.

Here are a few key reasons why putting cards on display is worth the effort:

  • Cards instantly bring warmth, color, and personality to any room.
  • Seeing family photos and messages daily extends the joy throughout the season.
  • Each card reminds you of love, friendship, and family traditions.
  • Visitors enjoy browsing your greetings, sparking conversations and stories.
  • Displays adapt easily to any theme while reflecting your personality.
Forest Under the Moonlight by Sabrin Deirani

Forest Under the Moonlight by Sabrin Deirani


Wall & Hanging Displays

Wall and hanging holiday card displays are perfect for turning blank walls, doorways, and entryways into festive showcases. These creative setups can coordinate with your existing color palette, highlight favorite corners of your home, and make your greetings feel like intentional décor. Most of these displays grow with your card collection. Just add more clips, extend your string, or expand your arrangement as new greetings arrive throughout the season.

1. Macrame Hanger Display

A macrame holiday card display is a stylish way to bring boho charm into your home while showcasing greetings on the wall. Simply attach your cards to the woven strands with clothespins or clips. Many macrame displays can hold up to 50 cards, making them perfect for growing holiday collections. The natural texture of macrame adds warmth and turns your holiday cards into part of a cozy gallery wall.


2. String Display with Clothespins

A string clothespin holiday card display is one of the most classic and versatile wall display ideas. Secure twine, colorful string, or even a beautiful ribbon across a wall or doorway with adhesive strips to avoid damage. Clip your cards in place with mini clothespins to create a farmhouse-meets-festive vibe that looks straight out of a holiday movie.

To customize your look, decorate clothespins with washi tape or glitter, turning a simple holiday card display idea into a colorful, personalized showcase.


3. Frame It Up

Grab any picture holder or frame you have on hand (old or new works perfectly) to create an instant card display station. Lean your setup against a bookshelf, prop it on a console table, or hang it on the wall like traditional artwork. You can customize the frame’s color or add stickers to match your holiday decorations or year-round aesthetic.


4. Fireside Banner

Your fireplace mantel offers the perfect stage for a fireside banner display that turns holiday cards into part of your hearth's cozy charm. Clip your holiday cards along the line using mini clothespins or small binder clips, or pin them neatly to the outside of stockings. Spacing them evenly creates a cheerful banner that draws the eye across your fireplace while doubling as a fun holiday focal point.


Furniture & Object Displays

Furniture and object holiday card displays give you plenty of ways to showcase greetings without relying on wall space. Coffee tables, bookshelves, and stair railings can all become natural stages for holiday card display ideas that feel festive and intentional. Plus, these ideas work beautifully in small spaces or apartments!

5. Refrigerator Magnet Display

Your refrigerator already serves as command central for your family's daily life, so why not make it part of your holiday celebration too? A refrigerator magnet holiday card display puts your greetings front and center in the busiest spot of your home. Use decorative magnets to secure cards directly to your fridge door for a quick, flexible setup that changes as new cards arrive. This makes your kitchen a natural stopping point for guests to admire your collection.


6. Bookmarks

Turn your favorite holiday cards into functional keepsakes by repurposing them as bookmarks. Just punch a hole at the top of the card (you could also cut them down to a traditional bookmark size, if you want) and add a ribbon or yarn for a polished look. Creating bookmarks from holiday cards makes a fun family activity, and every time you open a book, you’ll be reminded of all things warm and festive.


7. Staircase Showcase

Turn your staircase into a holiday gallery by clipping cards right onto the railings. Walking up and down, you’ll see each greeting on display, making your everyday space feel festive and personal. You can group cards in clusters for a playful look or line them up evenly for a clean, classic style.


8. Memory Box

Instead of letting cards pile up, keep them safe in a decorative memory box you can open year after year. You can use a vintage chest, a fabric-covered bin, or even a DIY’ed shoebox to hold your greetings. Sorting cards by year or sender makes reliving memories easy when revisiting them. Over time, this holiday card display idea becomes a family tradition that preserves friendships and milestones in one special place.


9. Coffee Table Album

Put your holiday cards where everyone can enjoy them by creating a coffee table album. Slip each card into a scrapbook or binder with page protectors so they stay safe while still being easy to flip through. Guests will naturally browse the album, sparking conversations about family, friends, and past holidays.


10. Dining Table Centerpiece

Make your holiday cards part of the meal by featuring them in your dining table centerpiece. Arrange branches in a vase and clip cards to them, weave them into a garland with candles and ornaments, or stand a few up using decorative place card holders. Photo cards will work exceptionally well since they spark conversation while everyone is gathered at the table.


Seasonal Accents

What better way to display holiday cards than by weaving them into the seasonal accents you already decorate with each year? You can slip cards into wreaths, garlands, or even your Christmas tree so they feel like part of the holiday magic instead of a separate setup. Adding cards to spaces you already love decorating makes your home feel more personal, turning each greeting into a conversation piece that tells your family’s story.

11. Snow Globe Display

Bring a little winter magic to your home by displaying your holiday cards inside a snow globe. Trimming mini photo cards to fit inside clear, fillable globes and adding faux snow or glitter creates a festive scene. Guests will love picking them up for a closer look, turning your cards into instant conversation starters.


12. Garland Gallery

If you have already decorated your space with garland, why not make it a holiday card gallery? Clip your greetings right onto the greenery using small clothespins or decorative clips, letting the cards peek out between designs. You can add layers of color and texture, making your mantel or doorway feel warm and inviting.


13. Christmas Card Tree

Create a big statement by arranging your holiday cards into the shape of a Christmas tree on your wall. You can use tape or putty to outline the design, then layer the cards slightly to build a festive look. Add a star topper, bow, ribbon, or lights to make it feel like a real tree. This idea is perfect if you already have plenty of holiday cards and want to turn them into a seasonal centerpiece.


14. Wreath of Memories

Your holiday wreath can do more than greet guests at the door. It’s also a perfect spot to showcase your cards. Simply tuck them between branches or clip them on so they’re easy to see without damage.


15. Christmas Tree Ornaments

Your Christmas tree is the perfect place to showcase holiday cards alongside your favorite ornaments. Hang them from branches with ribbon, string, or small clips so they blend with the rest of your decorations. Photo cards add familiar faces to your evergreen, while metallic designs and winter scenes complement lights and baubles.


Display holiday cards frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Here you’ll find holiday card display tips that tackle the most common challenges and share creative solutions, so you can showcase your greetings with confidence and style.

Can I display cards without damaging my walls or furniture?

Yes, you can display holiday cards without damaging walls or furniture by using removable adhesive strips, leaning frames against walls instead of hanging them, or trying freestanding displays like easels or decorative branches in vases. Repurposed materials like old shutters or metal boards are also excellent ways to display holiday cards without causing any wall damage.


What's the best way to keep cards from falling down or curling?

The best way to keep holiday cards from falling down or curling is to secure them with sturdy display methods like clothespins on string or small clips on garlands. For cards that curl, place them under a heavy book for 24 hours before displaying, or use small magnets on metal surfaces. Avoid using tape directly on the front of cards, since it can cause damage when removed.


How do I display lots of holiday cards in a small space?

To display lots of holiday cards in a small space, think vertical and layer creatively. Use string displays with clothespins to maximize wall space, or arrange cards in a tree shape on your wall using removable tape. You can also use a small bulletin board or magnetic board to keep everything organized in one compact area.

Clockwise from top:  Cabana by Morgan Kendall, Mountain Village by Julie Murray, Big Bow by Lea Bisch, Special Occasion by Chris Griffith, Holly Framed by Everett Paper Goods, Subtle Grace by Cass Loh, Big Bow by Lea Bisch, Elegant Holiday by Carolyn Nicks

Cabana by Morgan Kendall, Mountain Village by Julie Murray, Big Bow by Lea Bisch, Special Occasion by Chris Griffith, Holly Framed by Everett Paper Goods, Subtle Grace by Cass Loh, Big Bow by Lea Bisch, Elegant Holiday by Carolyn Nicks


What's the easiest holiday card display idea for kids to help with?

The easiest holiday card display idea for kids is the string and clothespin method. Children can clip cards onto the string themselves and rearrange them as new ones arrive, making it interactive and fun. Another kid-friendly option is the wall card tree. Just outline a tree shape with tape and let them place the cards inside to fill it in.


How do I make my display feel cohesive with my existing décor?

To make your holiday card display feel cohesive with your décor, choose materials that match your style, like rustic twine for farmhouse looks or sleek metal clips for modern homes. Grouping cards by color or size adds harmony and keeps the display visually pleasing. Finally, blending your card display into existing decorations like garlands or wreaths makes your holiday card display look intentional and part of the overall room design.


What should I do with holiday cards after the season ends to keep the memories alive?

To keep the memories alive after the holiday season, you can create a memory box or photo album with your favorite cards. You can also repurpose holiday cards into bookmarks, gift tags, or framed décor, which is another meaningful option. Many families also enjoy making scrapbook pages each year, so their holiday card display ideas become a long-lasting tradition.


What are some budget-friendly holiday card display ideas?

Some budget-friendly holiday card display ideas include using string and clothespins, repurposing an old picture frame, or arranging cards on your fridge with magnets. You can also decorate clothespins with washi tape or glitter for a custom look without spending much. These simple and affordable options still let you create a festive and personal holiday card display.


What are unique holiday card display ideas for small apartments?

Unique holiday card display ideas for small apartments often make use of vertical space. Try creating a card tree on your wall, using a macrame hanger, or clipping cards onto garlands around doorframes. These displays save space while adding seasonal charm, making them perfect for apartment living.


Can I combine holiday cards with family photos in one display?

Absolutely. You can combine holiday cards with family photos in one display to create a meaningful gallery. Mixing cards with printed photos on a wall grid, string display, or framed collage ties together your holiday greetings and family memories.


Can I repurpose old holiday cards into new decorations?

Yes, you can repurpose old holiday cards into new decorations that last beyond the season. Turn them into bookmarks, gift tags, garlands, or even ornaments for next year’s tree. Repurposing cards is not only creative but also a sustainable way to extend the joy of your holiday card display ideas.


Celebrate your style with every card

Your holiday cards aren’t just seasonal greetings. They’re memories, milestones, and little pieces of your story. Finding the right holiday card display ideas ensures those cards don’t sit in a pile or go to waste. From garlands and wreaths to albums and memory boxes, countless creative holiday card displays let you celebrate your loved ones all year long.

If you’d like to make next year’s display even more special, start with Minted's collection of customizable holiday cards. Thoughtfully designed cards feel more meaningful from the start, making them easy to showcase as part of your holiday décor. Every greeting becomes a keepsake that feels warm, festive, and uniquely yours.