3 Easy “Grinchy” Christmas Cards You’ll Love Making

The holidays always seem to sneak up on me, and before I know it, I’m knee-deep in cardstock scraps and glitter, trying to finish a stack of Christmas cards. This year, I decided to keep things simple—but still full of personality—with three Clean and Simple designs that feature one of my favorite mischievous characters. Using The Green One Stamp Set from C.C. Designs, I created a trio of cards that are easy to make, fun to color, and guaranteed to make anyone grin. Each design captures that perfectly playful “Grinchy” energy without requiring layers, die cuts, or complicated techniques. Sometimes the best cards are the ones that let the stamping and color take center stage.

3 Easy “Grinchy” Christmas Cards You’ll Love Making

A Clean and Simple Foundation

I started all three cards with Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock to create sturdy, top-folding A2 card bases. If you’ve ever had a one-layer card warp or buckle from ink blending, you know how important a heavyweight cardstock can be. This one holds up beautifully, even when you add a little extra pressure with your blending brush. I love that clean, crisp white—it’s the perfect backdrop for bold holiday colors.

Keeping the design one-layered not only makes these cards easy to mail, but it also speeds up the process when you’re making multiples. If you’re like me and find yourself crafting a last-minute batch of cards in December, you’ll appreciate how quickly these come together.

The Star of the Show

The whimsical characters in The Green One Stamp Set have so much personality that they really don’t need much else to shine. I stamped one of each image directly onto the card bases using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. This ink is perfect for alcohol marker coloring since it doesn’t bleed. I shifted the placement of each image slightly on the cards—one to the side, one in the center, and one near the bottom—to create variety while keeping the overall layout cohesive.

Each little pose tells a different story, from “Bah-humbug” attitude to “Merry Grinch-mas” mischief. As I was stamping, I couldn’t help but smile. That’s what I love about sets like this—they bring joy not only to the people receiving the cards but to the cardmaker creating them.

Backgrounds That Pop

To make each image stand out, I reached for the A2 Circle Stencil from the Background Basics Stencil Set and my Distress Inks in Festive Berries and Pine Needles. Ink blending is such a simple way to add instant color and depth without overpowering the stamped image. By softly blending within the circle, I created a glowing halo effect that frames each character.

The result is modern, bright, and clean. The inked circles feel like little spotlights, each one highlighting a moment of holiday silliness.

Coloring Made Easy

I used my OLO Markers to color the images, keeping the palette simple—greens, reds, and just a few neutrals. I find that limiting my color choices not only saves time but also gives the cards a cohesive, polished look. These images are so fun to color that I didn’t even notice the time passing. There’s something incredibly relaxing about bringing a cheeky little Christmas character to life.

If you’re new to alcohol markers, here’s a quick tip: blend in small sections and layer your colors gradually. These stamps have great line details that make shading almost effortless.

Finishing Touches That Shine

Once the coloring was complete, I stamped one of the coordinating sentiments on each card using Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink for a bold, crisp finish. To give the images a bit more dimension, I added highlights with a Posca White Extra Fine Metal Tip Paint Marker—a simple detail that makes a big difference.

For that final bit of sparkle, I brushed a touch of Stardust Stickles onto the white fur trim of the Santa outfits. It catches the light beautifully without overwhelming the clean design. A few tiny colored rhinestones scattered around each card finished everything off with just the right amount of holiday shine.

Wrapping It Up

I love how these cards turned out—playful, festive, and perfectly imperfect in all the right ways. They prove that you don’t need layers of patterned paper or piles of embellishments to create something special. Sometimes, a clever stamp set, a little ink, and some creative color choices are all it takes.

If you’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed by your holiday crafting list, I hope these designs inspire you to simplify and have fun with it. After all, the joy of handmade cards isn’t about perfection—it’s about the laughter and love that goes into each one.

3 Simple “Grinchy” Christmas Cards Anyone Can Make! (C. C. Designs The Green One) Video Tutorial:

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(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Crafting,

Rick Adkins

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