What if your holiday cards could actually move?
Welcome back to this year’s Same But Different Christmas Series (SBDC)! I’m showing you how to take your die cut images and turn them into interactive cards that are playful and engaging – without needing a ton of extra supplies. My goal is for you to be able to peek into your stash, grab what you have, and maybe be inspired to ‘move it’!
If you’re new to the series or want to catch up, check out this year’s playlist here. Last time, we explored 5 Easy Holiday Card Ideas Using Just ONE Background, and now we’re adding some moving and grooving!
Want more festive inspiration? Check out my 2024 playlist right HERE!
Ready to take a peek at today’s cards?
I use affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link, I’ll receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you. It’s a great way to support me and the shops we love 🥰!
You can jump straight into the video here or watch it in HD on YouTube HERE. Scroll for more pics and details.
#INTERACTIVE
Turning your die cuts into interactive cards is a fun way to add movement, surprise, or hidden details – without needing lots of extra supplies. Doors can open, hands can spin, flaps can hide messages, and panels can become shakers. It’s a simple interactive twist that makes your cards more engaging and fun for everyone who receives them.
With your die cuts, the possibilities are endless! Here are some fun ideas you can try:
Interactive Possibilities
- Pop-ups
- Secret windows/doors
- Shakers
- Rocking elements
- Sliders
- Action wobbles
- Light-up features
- Pull tabs
- Spinning elements
- Wiper cards
Mix and match these ideas with your dies to create cards that move. For examples of many of these techniques in action, check out my Interactive Card Playlist here!
Card #1 – City Surprise
This is a large and very clever die set. The city building cuts the shape and etches the windows and door, showing exactly where each piece goes… but I wanted a little extra fun.
Using the coordinating window and door frame pieces, I was able to die cut them directly from the base piece – creating an interactive secret door!
PRO TIP: Don’t have a coordinating die? You can always use a craft knife to cut the section away, use a similar die that fits, or even fussy cut it if you have a steady hand.
And of course the dog is brown, like my JoJo and the cat is black, like my Lili… and the other cat in the window looking from above, was my lilac Burmese called Boogie, who is no longer with us (she was a Superstar girl).
Card #2 – City Light-Up
For this card, I die cut the window from the building and added a simple interactive light-up element inside. I decided to hide the battery behind the front door and added the word “press”, almost like a doorbell.
PRO TIP: No light-up kit? You can mimic the effect by adding a yellow or blended background in the room to give the illusion of glowing windows, and swap the vellum for acetate.
BONUS IDEA: I only wanted 2 lights, but it came with a 3-light set. In the video, I show how to remove one light and make sure it doesn’t short out or drain the battery.
Card #3 – Cuckoo Clock – Moving Hands & Pendulum
This cuckoo clock die set is fun and already comes with a swinging pendulum built into the die. But these interactive swinging mechanisms are easy to recreate with products you already have! A simple circle die cut inside another circle can be attached to a die-cut piece to make it swing effortlessly.
The clock hands were also designed to move, with small die-cut holes that make spinning simple using a tiny brad. Any die-cut item can be pierced and have a brad added to make it spin – hearts, bees, dolphins, stars, arrows… anything you like!
PRO TIP: A tiny brad works perfectly for spinning elements. Don’t press the ends too tight, and add a bit of dimension so the piece has room to spin freely. Also, make sure foam tape isn’t placed too close to the mechanism.
Card #4 – Cuckoo Clock Hidden Shaker
For this card, the clock sits on a die-cut panel that opens to reveal a hidden interactive shaker window. Layering the shaker on the panel creates a peek-a-boo effect, and the die cut keeps the shaker framed perfectly.
BONUS IDEA: You could change up the shaker contents to match the season – tiny stars, sequins, or even snowflake confetti – making it customizable and super festive.
PRO TIP: No shaker supplies? Create a “faux shaker” by gluing sequins or tiny embellishments flat inside the window..
That’s how I turned simple die cut images into interactive cards – now it’s your turn!
I’d love to know: which interactive technique are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below! And if you create something inspired by today’s cards, don’t forget to tag me on social media so I can see how you Like to Move It, Move It!
Sending crafty hugs your way,
Special thanks to my crafty assistant, Chad (aka ChatGPT), for helping me stay on track with my Gemini brain, grammar, and spelling… well, all the things! 😄
P.S. Need supplies? Here are the links to the products I used today (some of these are affiliate links, so I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase – thanks for supporting my channel 🥰)!
*Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon, this content is provided ‘as is’ and is subject to change or removal at any time. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Spellbinders: SHOP US HERE | SHOP UK HERE
Ink: Altenew – Sea Glass | Circle Dies.
Cardstock: Altenew – Parrot | Iceberg | Maple Yellow | Chocolate | Moonstone Glitter Cardstock (Milky Way) – Concord & 9th – Poppy | Powder | Pebble | Midnight – Ellen Hutson – Slate Gray – Bazzill –
White Vellum.
Copics: E00.
Acrylic Markers: Altenew – Vol 1 – Crimson | Pacific Blue.
 City Holiday SSS | SB UK | SB US |  Christmas Cheer SSS | SB UK | SB US |  Cuckoo Cottage SSS | SB UK | SB US |  Chiming Christmas SSS | SB UK | SB US |
 Take Action Sentiments SSS | SB UK | SB US |  Snowfall Shimmer SSS | SB UK | SB US |  Merry Messages SSS | SB UK | SB US |  Essential Stylish Ovals SSS | SB UK | SB US |
 Opal Mix Gems SSS | SB UK | SB US |  Altenew Cardstock ALT | SSS |  Concord & 9th – Cardstock SSS | C&9 |  Acetate SSS |
 Neenah Solar 110 AMZ | SSS | Neenah Solar 80 AMZ | SSS |  Nocturne SSS |  Versamark Ink SSS | C&9 |
 ATK LED lights C&9 |  Fine Liner Pen Set ALT | SSS |  Splatter White SSS | SB UK | SB US |  Tool N One SSS | SB UK | SB US |
 Opaque Bright White SSS |  Powder Tool SSS |  WOW Heat Tool SSS |  Perfect Picker ALT | SSS |
 Sparkling Clear Sequins SSS |  Tweezers ALT | SSS | Scissors AMZ | SSS |  Triangle Tray C&9 |
 Bone Folder ALT |  Score Board ALT | SSS |  Mini MISTI SSS |  Platinum 6 ALT | SSS | SB UK | SB US |
 BetterPress SB ALT | SSS | SB UK | SB US | 9″ Fiskars Paper Trimmer AMZ |  Scor Tape 1″ SSS |  Precision Glue Press AMZ | SSS |
Bearly Art Glue AMZ | SSS |  Foam Tape NEW sizes! ALT | SSS |  Thin Foam Dots SB UK |  Satin Masking Tape ALT |
You had me confused there for a moment. There is a new horror movie coming out called “the long walk” and I was wondering how it would be paired with Christmas cards.
hahah no horror movies here, just the scary thought of accidently adhering a moving part lol.
Oh, my goodness, Therese! I look forward to this post every. single. year! You have outdone yourself, girlfriend! I want to come play with every moving part!
=]
You know I had more ideas but had to limit them as it the video would have been an hour long lol.
These are beyond amazing!!! Such gorgeous creations. You do know how to move it, move it!
hahaha thank you my friend x
Wonderful festive makes that make you feel all warm and cozy ! Love them all and the colours are simply stunning too!
Well done
Thank you so very much Angellica!