How to Make a Birthday Card for Dads

By Jennifer Zimmerman

  • Overview

    Making a card is much more personal than buying one, especially when it comes to your Dad. The card you make will become a keepsake and maybe even a family heirloom. You don't have to be an artist to make this beautiful and personal keepsake.
  • Making the Card

  • Step 1

    Choose a theme. Will you focus on special memories? The significance of the birthday? A hobby? Decide which theme will be the focus of the card.
  • Step 2

    Choose a style. You can make a traditional card, a frame to surround the words you'll write or a photo, or a banner or poster.
  • Step 3

    Choose how you'll make the card. Will you use your crafting skills? A card-making program? Will you sew a sampler? Create something from a photo gift site?
  • Step 4

    Get to work. Develop your theme and style into a card for your dad.


  • Step 5

    Don't get frustrated if the card doesn't turn out perfectly. The point is that you took the time and made the effort, not that it looks like a Hallmark card.
  • Choosing Your Text

    • Step 1

      Choose your tone. Do you want it to be humorous, serious or short and sweet?
    • Step 2

      Write your message. Pen your thoughts, find a great poem or some combination, and write a rough draft of the text.
    • Step 3

      Copy the text onto the card. If you have (or you can have) nice handwriting, write your text onto the card. If not, ask someone to write it for you or type it and print it.
  • Specific Tips

    • Step 1

      Make a crafty card. Using posterboard or cardboard, cut out the shape you want to use (e.g. a frame for a plaque or photo card or a football for a football-themed card). Cover it with craft paper or construction paper and then add your decorations.
    • Step 2

      Make a photo card. Go to a photo site and upload the photos you'd like to use.
    • Step 3

      Make a kid-oriented card. Grab all the kids or grandkids to make a huge banner of a card. Give them posterboard and markers (and a few reminders about who the banner is for) and let them create.
    • Step 4

      Use computer software to make a graphic card. Find a great program and spend time practicing with it before making the card.
    • Skill: Easy
    • Ingredients:
    • Construction paper
    • Photographs
    • Decorative objects such as glitter, felt or wooden Craft decorations
    • Craft glue
    • Markers
    • Colored pencils
    • Posterboard
    • Cardboard
    • Craft paper
    • Computer
    • Tip: Take your time. While it doesn't need to be perfect, it should be something you enjoy making.
    • Warning:
    • Don't get so caught up in making the card that you forget about the message you want to send to your Dad on his birthday.

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