DIY Christmas Place Card Holders for Holiday Tables

In this article: Simple, budget-friendly steps to create DIY Christmas place card holders. Quick to make, these wooden “gift” place card holders bring a farmhouse touch to your Christmas table, inspired by Joanna Gaines’ cozy aesthetic.

I didn’t plan a specific theme for my holiday decor this year — it evolved naturally. A quick browse through seasonal aisles led me from burlap-wrapped gifts to 2×4 wood-block decorations, and eventually to these small wooden place card holders shaped like little presents. They’re a great way to repurpose leftover wood and add handmade charm to your table setting.

How to make DIY CHRISTMAS PLACE CARD HOLDERS

These handmade holiday place card holders are designed to look like tiny wrapped presents. Whether your table theme is rustic, farmhouse, or modern farmhouse, these blocks fit right in. They’re quick to assemble and very budget friendly.

Supplies you will need

• 2×4 board ends cut to 3½ inches (to form a square block)
• Wood stain of your choice
• Foam brush for staining
• Clean rag for wiping excess stain
• Fabric strips or ribbon for wrapping (holiday plaids, burlap, or any favorite ribbon)
• Faux greenery sprigs, small pinecones, berries, or jingle bells for accents
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Paper tag punch or a small hole punch
• Decorative paper, old book pages, or cardstock for name tags

Prep the wood blocks by staining

Sand any rough edges if needed, then apply stain with a foam brush and wipe off the excess with a rag. Stain all sides of each block for a uniform finish. Wiping technique gives a natural, slightly worn farmhouse look that complements the rustic theme.

Glue on ribbon

Cut two short ribbon or fabric strips and glue them so they meet in the center of the top face, creating the look of a wrapped gift. When using a hot glue gun, apply the glue, wait a few seconds, then press the ribbon in place to avoid accidental burns and get a clean bond.

Add faux greenery

Layer small pieces of faux greenery across the top, securing each layer with hot glue. Finish with a focal accent like a tiny pinecone, a cluster of faux berries, or a small bell. For depth, start with a sturdier plastic greenery base and top it with more realistic stems.

Tuck in name tags

Punch name tags from decorative paper, old book pages, or cardstock, then tuck them beneath the greenery or slide into a small slit in the block top. If you prefer a tied tag look, punch a hole at the top of each tag and tie it to the greenery with jute or baker’s twine.

These tags are also great for printing a set of coordinated printable place cards to match your table styling.

Additional ideas and variations

• Use antique wooden letter blocks displaying each guest’s initial as a colorful, simple alternative to full place cards.
• Paint the wood blocks instead of staining them for a different effect — white paint with metallic or sparkly ribbon creates an elegant, less rustic look.
• Place the mini gift blocks beside each guest’s glass and combine them with creative napkin folds, like a tree-shaped fold or a pocket fold for silverware.
• Mix and match ribbon, greenery, and tags to coordinate with your overall holiday palette and table linens.

More farmhouse-style Christmas ideas

If you love farmhouse holiday decor, consider pairing these place card holders with classic table elements such as neutral linens, simple greenery runners, wooden chargers, and warm string lights to create a cozy, inviting tablescape inspired by farmhouse design.

Original post date: November 19, 2018. Updated December 2021 with additional information.