Vintage Christmas Card Planner

Turn a Vintage Card into a Christmas Planner

The holiday season always seems to sneak up on us, and before we know it, we’re juggling Christmas cards, gift lists, baking, parties and all those little details that make this time of year so special. This year, I’m trying something simple to help keep everything organized: a Christmas planner made from a vintage, thrifted or gifted greeting card!

In my latest video, I’m sharing how to turn a card you already have into a handy little journal to keep all your Christmas planning in one place. It’s a simple project that doesn’t require fancy supplies or an elaborate setup. In fact, you can make one using things you already have in your craft room!

What Can You Keep in Your Christmas Planner?

I love the idea of having one small notebook where I can keep track of all those holiday details that would otherwise end up scattered across sticky notes, scraps of paper and the notes app on my phone.

Here are a few things you could include in your planner:

• Christmas card list: Keep track of who you need to send cards to, when they’ve been sent and any addresses you need to find.
• Gift lists: Make a list of everyone you’re shopping for, jot down gift ideas and keep track of what you’ve purchased.
• Receipts and orders: Add a little pocket to tuck away receipts, order confirmations or notes about gifts you’ve bought.
• Baking and treat lists: Plan your Christmas baking, make ingredient lists and keep track of treats you want to make or share.
• Party and event planning: Record dates, ideas, menus, things to bring and other details for upcoming gatherings.
• Christmas ideas and reminders: Write down decorating ideas, activities, errands and those little things you don’t want to forget.

You don’t need to include everything. Think about the things you tend to forget or the details that usually end up written on random pieces of paper, and create pages that make sense for you.

Make It with What You Have

One of my favourite things about this project is how easy it is to customize using supplies you already own. A vintage Christmas card, a pretty greeting card you’ve saved, or even a card someone has gifted you can become the cover of your planner. Inside, use scrap paper, leftover patterned paper, notebook paper, envelopes or pages from an old notebook. Add pockets for receipts, tuck spots for loose notes and simple dividers to separate your lists. You can decorate it as much or as little as you like.

This is also a wonderful way to use up those paper scraps and bits and pieces you’ve been saving. The goal is to create something useful that works for you. And if you love vintage papers, thrifted finds and giving old things a new purpose, this is a lovely little project to add to your holiday crafting list.

A Little Planner That Goes Everywhere

One of the best things about keeping your Christmas planner small is that you can toss it into your purse and take it with you. When you’re out shopping and spot a gift idea, you can jot it down. When you remember someone you need to add to your Christmas card list, you have a place to record it. If you need to check whether you’ve already purchased a gift or pick up ingredients for a baking project, your notes are right there. Rather than trying to remember everything, you have one little place to keep track of it all. It’s a simple way to feel a little more organized during an otherwise busy season.

Make Your Own Christmas Planner

If you’d like to make one of these little planners, be sure to watch the video below, where I walk you through the process and share how I put mine together. And if you’d prefer to have some of the supplies gathered for you, I’ll have Christmas planner kits available at the Sweet & Chic Travelling Market on October 17th, 2026 (at the Agora in Sherwood Park, AB), as well as in my Etsy shop (after the sale). It’s an easy way to get started on your own version without having to hunt for all the pieces yourself.

My hope is that this little project will help you get ahead of the holiday rush, keep your lists in one place and leave a little more room to enjoy the season. I love that something as ordinary as a  greeting card can become a practical little companion for the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Happy crafting!