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Paper Candles Card

Brighten someone's special day with this colorful Paper Candles Card! Start by cutting thin strips of vibrantly colored or patterned cardstock and glue them vertically on a blank card to resemble candles. Cut small 'flames' from glitter paper and glue them on top of each "candle" to complete this playful and straightforward design. The finishing touch for any birthday celebration is a personalized card with a festive touch.

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Birthday Balloon Card

One of the simplest birthday card ideas on this list involves just a few pieces of paper. Start with a blank greeting card (or make your own from folded cardstock) and use glue or double-stick tape to attach a balloon shape cut from bright paper. Add a sweet message to the balloon, draw its string with a crayon or marker, and pop this cute card in an envelope!

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DIY Unicorn Card

Create magic with this adorable DIY Unicorn Card! Start by cutting a few felt leaves and rolling three felt strips into flowers. Next, cut a unicorn horn and ears from glitter paper. Glue the horn and ears to the top of the card, then arrange the felt flowers and leaves to resemble a floral crown. Secure these with hot glue. For the final touch, draw black eyes using a marker or pen. This whimsical card is sure to charm any unicorn lover.  

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Gift Box Card

Marty Baldwin

This colorful paper package is among the cutest DIY birthday card ideas! Start with a patterned greeting card, and attach a paper rectangle to the top of the card to mimic the look of a gift box. Wrap a striped ribbon around the front panel and finish the design by hot gluing a bow to the "lid."

20 DIY Party Favors for Kids' Birthday Parties (Plus Printables)

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Photo Birthday Card

Courtesy of Shutterfly

If crafting isn't your thing, there are other birthday card ideas that still qualify as homemade. Try your hand at graphic design by creating a birthday card from a template on a greeting card website. It could be as easy as uploading your favorite photo of the birthday person and adding a customized greeting.

If you ship the card to yourself instead of sending it straight to your recipient, place the order a few weeks ahead to ensure you have enough time to gift it to your loved one.

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Paper Present Card

Joining the balloon design as one of our easiest birthday card ideas is a simple present design that can be customized to your liking. Cut a square shape from patterned paper and use twine or string to simulate a bow-tied ribbon. Attach the paper present to the front of a blank card using glue or double-stick tape.

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Cut-Out Number Card

Adam Albright

This cut-out number design is one of our favorite birthday card ideas for kids and milestone birthdays. Start with a blank greeting card in a solid color. Cut a piece of patterned paper slightly smaller than the front of the card, then cut a number from the patterned paper using a die-cut machine, crafts knife, or scissors. Remove the cut-out number and glue the patterned paper outline to the front of the card.

Add adornments like ribbons or stickers to jazz up your birthday card design.

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Handwritten Birthday Card

You don't have to create an intricate design to execute cute and impactful birthday card ideas. For example, like the balloon and paper present cards, this card is another great instance of simple but playful design. Start with a plain greeting card and use glue or double-stick tape to attach a paper banner to the front. Use a marker or pen to add a "happy birthday" message, writing in multiple letter styles.

09

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You Are Loved Card

If you're looking for a premade birthday card design, this free printable is a cute and heartfelt option. All you need to do is print, cut, and glue the design onto a blank greeting card. Leave the design as-is or embellish it with stickers or jewels for personalized flair.

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Birthday Tassel Card

Carson Downing

Transform a plain greeting card into a sweet birthday surprise with a cheerful handmade tassel. To make the tassel, cut long strips of colorful tissue paper and fold them in half, then tie off the top with a thin ribbon or thread. Use a small hole punch to add a hole in the top right corner of your card and thread the tassel through it for a minimalistic but festive birthday card idea.

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Illustrated Birthday Card

Courtesy of Etsy / Socialholic

If your loved one enjoys art and personalized details, one of the best birthday card ideas is to commission a custom illustration that doubles as a keepsake. Many artists offer their services online, creating card designs that look like you and your bestie, sister, or mom. You could even add their age in balloons and their name like the card above.

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Embroidered Card

Dean Tanner

The patterns in some decorative papers make excellent stitching guides, and this floral birthday card idea is a fun example. To recreate the design, use a pencil to sketch a few flowers, then pierce holes through the paper with a needle and embroidery floss. Use the sketch lines and pattern grid as a guide. Attach the stitched paper to a blank greeting card with glue or double-sided tape for one of the most creative DIY birthday card ideas.

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Birthday for Dad Card

Carson Downing

Celebrate Dad's birthday with a homemade card that lets him know you always appreciate him—even when he starts dancing in public. To make this card, print and cut out our free design. Use glue, photo stickers, or double-sided tape to attach it to the front of a blank greeting card.

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Personalized Photo Card

Courtesy of Shutterfly

Create a classic card with a personalized touch by pairing a traditional message design with a photo of your loved one. Among the easiest DIY birthday card ideas, this design will delight anyone. Using a custom greeting card website, upload your favorite photo of the birthday person (or a snapshot of a favorite moment together!), type in their name, and add the creation to your cart.

Consider ordering all your birthday cards for the year at once.

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Metal Accented Card

Greg Scheidemann

Another crafty birthday card idea is to decorate your design with themed sets of lightweight metal accents. Opt for embellishments with brads—the tabs allow for easy attaching to any card. Here, a pocket was fashioned from a piece of striped paper glued around the edges on textured card stock. The scalloped edge was affixed to the pocket and decorated with small multi-color brads. Departing from the traditional card format, the birthday message was printed on card stock and inserted into the pocket.

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Flower Collage Card

Cameron Sadeghpour

Gardeners and flower enthusiasts will love this birthday card idea with 3D floral elements. Start with patterned paper on a blank greeting card. Layer two squares of solid color paper for extra dimension, then attach a chipboard flower—we're partial to the subtle sparkle in this one.

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Make Your Own Pattern

Jay Wilde

Take inspiration from multiple birthday card ideas to DIY a completely custom creation. Here, a stamp and multiple colors of ink were used to make a unique patterned paper, resulting in a look with layered interest. Ribbon and die-cut shapes and letters add even more texture, creativity, and personal style.

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Multimedia Animal Card

Cameron Sadeghpour

Kids and animal lovers will be delighted with birthday card ideas that feature their favorite creatures. Here, a lion was fashioned out of construction paper, book pages, and fuzzy fabric. The result is a creative and cute card that's easy to replicate with scissors and hot glue.

If you can't find fuzzy, feathery fabric like the one shown above, use yarn or felt instead.