Homemade cards inexpensive but express heartfelt thanks

If after the holidays you have someone you'd like to thank in a special way, here are three card-making ideas.

Sraight from the pages of "Martha Stewart Holiday" and "Family Fun" magazines, they don't take an inordinate amount of time to make, are inexpensive and will surely relay the message that your thanks are heartfelt.

A simple thank you is best, so your recipient doesn't feel pressured to thank you back, creating a "cycle of gift giving," according to Corinne Gill, associate editor for holiday and crafts for "Martha Stewart Living." What matters, she said, "are the sentiments of the words, not the showmanship of the card."

Gill recommends enclosing holiday photographs with a thank-you note, especially if the recipient didn't spend the holidays with you. Two of the crafts below include photos.

Another idea is using children's artwork.

JACK DEMPSEY ~ Associated PressHoliday thank-you cards are displayed Dec. 22 in Thornton, Colo. Straight from the pages of "Martha Stewart Holiday" and "Family Fun" magazines, these cards don't take an inordinate amount of time to make, are inexpensive and will surely relay the message that your thanks are heartfelt.

"I love receiving them," said Maggie Neff, a 94-year-old grandmother in Kansas City, Mo. "It's like getting a wonderful gift you can hold."

Photo House Card

Note: If mailing this card, make sure it will fit into an oversized envelope without folding.

Supplies:

JACK DEMPSEY ~ Associated PressHoliday thank-you cards are displayed Dec. 22 in Thornton, Colo. Straight from the pages of "Martha Stewart Holiday" and "Family Fun" magazines, these cards don't take an inordinate amount of time to make, are inexpensive and will surely relay the message that your thanks are heartfelt.

• Heavyweight white paper (such as cardstock) in any size
• Markers and/or crayons
• Photographs
• Craft glue
• Scissors

Assembly:

1. Have a child draw and color a house, including a window for each family member. (The windows probably need to be drawn larger than usual.)

2. Cut out images of each family member to fit inside each window and glue them into place. If you have pets, they can be placed inside a window or outside in the yard.

(Adapted from "Family Fun" magazine)

3-D Snowball Card

Supplies:

• 5 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch blank card in festive color (sold, with envelopes, at crafts stores)
• Photo of your family posing with arms cocked (as if to throw a snowball)
• Glue stick
• Crafting glue
• Small white pom-poms

Assembly:

1. Cut the photo to fit the card, leaving a border of at least inch around the photo.

2. Use a glue stick to glue the photo to the card.

3. Use crafting glue to adhere a white pom-pom over each throwing hand.

(Adapted from "Family Fun" magazine)

Snowman Button Cards

Supplies:

• 3 different-size white buttons; the smallest must have 4 holes
• Embroidery floss in red
• Embroidery floss in green (optional)
• Blank folded note card in festive color
• Slightly larger blank white card (or white card stock)
• Glue gun with glue stick
• Thin ribbon 3/16-inch-width
• Ribbon in white or cream
• Hole punch (preferably 1/8-inch size)
• Sewing needle
• Thimble (optional)

Assembly:

1. Using a thimble and with three strands of floss, attach the smallest button -- the snowman's head -- to the colored card stock by sewing a single stitch between two button holes to create a mouth. If desired, add eyes by sewing French knots into the two remaining buttonholes, using three strands of green floss.

2. With a hot glue gun, secure the button face with a drop of glue on the inside of the card. Glue the remaining two, incrementally larger buttons below the first one.

3. Tie a small piece of colorful ribbon into a knot and glue it below the snowman's head (between the smallest two buttons); trim ends.

4. Slide the white, slightly larger card inside the first one. Align, then punch two holes along the folded edge. String a ribbon through the holes and tie it to secure.

(Adapted from "Martha Stewart Holiday" magazine)