A DIY gift card holder might not sound like a big deal—until you’re scrambling for a last-minute gift and realize you need to make it look like you tried. Been there. Gift cards are great, but let’s be real—they can feel a little impersonal. That’s where a cute, custom Cricut-made holder comes in to save the day and make you look like the most thoughtful person in the room.
Now, I’m not saying this little craft will change your life… but I am saying it’ll upgrade your whole gift-giving vibe. It’s the perfect mix of “I planned this” and “I totally did this in under 20 minutes.” Whether it’s for a birthday, holiday, teacher gift, or just because—you’ll want to keep this idea in your back pocket. And the best part? You probably already have everything you need.
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make a DIY gift card holder using your Cricut (and your creative magic). I’ll also drop a few design ideas, supply suggestions, and tips to help it look high-effort with minimal stress. So grab your cardstock, fire up your machine, and let’s make something cute that feels personal—even if it was last-minute. Trust me, you didn’t know you needed this… until now.
Why Make a DIY Gift Holder with Cricut?
Gift cards can feel a little impersonal if you toss one in an envelope. A DIY Gift Card Holder made with your Cricut adds a personal, thoughtful touch in just a few extra minutes. It’s the perfect way to turn a “last-minute” gift into something that looks planned. Plus, it’s cute, customizable, and way more fun than another gift bag.
Supplies You Need to Make a Cricut Gift Card Holder
Before we get into cutting and crafting, let’s talk supplies. You’ll need…
- 3 different colors of cardstock
- Cricut machine (I used my Cricut Maker 3)
- Brayer
- Cricut mat
- Scoring wheel (the one marked “01”)
- Aleene’s Tacky Glue
- Adhesive Foam Dots for a little extra dimension, but that part is optional.
If you’ve got a stash of paper and a Cricut, you’re halfway there.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make a DIY Gift Card Holder with Cricut
Start a new project in Cricut Design Space and search for “gift card holder” under the Images tab. I used design #M90AD20 and added it to the canvas. Next, find a “Happy Birthday” image—I went with #M35EF3 because the big letters make it easy to cut and weed. Resize it to 2.66 by 1.07 inches, rotate it, and add two offset layers; mine were blue and white (each set to 0.075) to make it stand out. Change the offset colors if you’d like, then click “Make It.”
Prepping Your Materials for a Smooth Cricut Cut
Click “On Mat” and set your material size to match your cardstock—mine was 8.5″ x 11″, but adjust based on what you have. Smooth your cardstock onto the mat with a brayer to avoid bubbles, then load it into your Cricut machine. Press the Load/Unload button and then hit “Go.” Let your Cricut do its thing while you sip your coffee and pretend this wasn’t a last-minute idea. Repeat this for all three colors of cardstock.
Scoring and Folding the Cricut Gift Card Holder
Swap in the scoring wheel (single blade, marked “01”) to add crisp fold lines to your project. Place the piece to be scored on your mat, load it up, and hit “Go.” Once it’s done, weed away any excess paper, then fold neatly along the scored lines. Take your time here—it makes all the difference in how polished your DIY Gift Card Holder turns out. A clean fold = a professional look.
Assembling Your Easy DIY Gift Card Holder
Now the fun part—bringing it all together. Start with the pocket: glue the folded flaps down and press them firmly. I used clamps to hold mine in place while drying, but that’s optional. Next, glue the pocket inside the card base, lining it up like a little book. Add coordinating layers of cardstock on the inside and outside of the holder to give it some extra flair and structure.
Decorating the Outside of Your DIY Cricut Gift Card Holder
Let’s make the outside cute! Take your “Happy Birthday” design and glue it onto the blue offset layer. Add foam dots (or use glue) to adhere it to the top of the white offset. Once that’s layered, glue it all onto the front of your DIY Gift Card Holder. It instantly gives your project that pop of personality. And yes, you can write a personal message inside for bonus points.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a Cricut to make a DIY gift card holder?
Technically, no—you can cut one by hand. But let’s be real… the Cricut makes it faster, cleaner, and way cuter with way less stress.
- What kind of paper works best for a Cricut gift card holder?
I recommend using medium-weight cardstock so it holds its shape but isn’t too thick to cut or score. Grab some colors that pop or match your theme, and you’re golden.
- Can I customize the design for different occasions?
Absolutely—birthdays, holidays, graduations, you name it. Just switch out the sentiment or color scheme in Cricut Design Space to fit the vibe.
- How long does it take to make a DIY gift card holder?
If you have your supplies ready, you can knock it out in 20–30 minutes. You can make it faster if you’ve made one before and aren’t distracted by snacks.
- Can I use glue instead of foam dots for layering?
Yes. Use what you have! Foam dots add dimension, but regular glue still gets the job done and looks just as polished if everything is centered neatly.
If You Loved This, You'll Love These, Too
Final Thoughts on the Cutest DIY Gift Card Holder
A DIY gift card holder isn’t just a craft—it’s a thoughtful way to level up a simple gift. Instead of handing someone a plain old gift card, you’re giving them a moment that feels personal and special. It shows you took a little extra time to make something cute, custom, and straight from the heart.
This gift card holder is one of those easy projects you’ll want to revisit again and again. So go ahead and bookmark this post or pin it for later—future you will thank you. And if you create your own version, tag me @DeAnnCreates so I can share your work and give you a shoutout.
