Easy to Make DIY Wood Slice Place Cards.

These DIY wood slice place cards are an easy way to add a rustic, natural touch to your holiday table. Made with small wood slices and a few simple craft supplies, these handmade place cards can be customized for each guest and reused for future celebrations. Personalize each one and let your guests take them home and hang them on their Christmas tree.

The best part is that these wood slice place cards can be used in several different ways. Use them as individual place cards at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, add them to a holiday table setting, or turn them into ornaments that guests can take home after the celebration.

In this tutorial, you will find both instructions for using a cutting machine and making them without a cutting machine.

Supplies List

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• 3.5-inch Wood Slice ornaments – as many as you need
• Hot Glue
• Adhesive Vinyl ( dark colour of your choice) for cutting machine users OR
• Adhesive Letters
• DecoArt Snow-Tex
• Mod Podge
• Mini Sisal Brush Christmas Trees (or design of your choice)
• Small Snowflake Buttons ( or embellishment of your choice)

Craft Room Tools

• Cricut cutting machine ( or another brand)
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Small paintbrush
• Larger flat craft paintbrush for Mod Podge
• Tack cloth or a damp sponge/cloth

How to Make Christmas DIY Wood Slice Place Cards

Instructions to Make DIY Christmas Place Cards

Making DIY Wood Slice Place Cards without a Cutting Machine

If you want to make these place cards but don’t have a cutting machine, purchase alphabet stickers in the scrapbooking aisle of any craft store or online. Choose small letters that will fit on the wood slice. Choose lettering that is cut around the letter and does not have a white border or offset.

Step 1 – Preparing the wood slice

Using fine-grit sandpaper, smooth the surfaces of the wood slice by sanding lightly.

Remove any traces of dust by wiping with a tack cloth or a damp sponge/cloth.

Set the wood slices aside and allow them to dry before applying the adhesive vinyl.

Cutting Machine Name: Cutting

Choose a font that you like and create the names on your Cricut canvas.

** I used the “Kitchen Home” font in my design. It is a free font from DaFont.com.

Resize to fit your wood slice.

Once you have the name, choose “Combine” from the bottom right corner. Choose either “unite” or “weld”.

Confirm that all your sizes are correct before making it.

Select “Make “

Move the designs on the mats to make the most of the mat and reduce waste.

Once the cutting is complete, weed your design.

Attach the Place Card Name to the wood slice.

PreCut Letters – Just peel and stick your letters, making sure to center the name across the surface.

Cutting Machine – Place transfer paper over your adhesive design and remove it from the backing paper.

Position your design onto the wood slice and, using your scraper, adhere the design to the wood slice.

Sealing the Christmas Place Cards

This is an optional step if you want the place cards to be used as a Christmas ornament later. If you would like the place card to be reused on another table at a later date with a different name, do not seal it. Simply remove the name after use and add the new name when you want to use it.

I recommend sealing them if you plan to store and reuse them later. The sealing will provide a protective coat as well as reduce the chance of peeling later.

If sealing, apply a thin coat of Mod Podge sealant over both sides of the wood slices. Covering all sides will keep the place cards looking consistent on all sides. If you want the wood slices to look as natural as possible but still want to seal them, use a matte finish.

Allow drying time before moving on to the next steps.

Add Decorations

I am using miniature bottle brush trees and snowflake buttons.

Attach them to the wood slice once the Mod Podge is fully dry.

Apply a bead of hot glue and adhere the tree and button to the wood.

Add Snow-Tex

DecoArt Snow-Tex is perfect for adding a little texture and dimension. It provides a perfect winter snow effect, which pairs perfectly with my snowflake button. You can use whatever embellishments you would like. Adding embellishments, such as the snow, adds the finishing touch to your DIY Wood Slice Place Cards.

Our DIY Wood Slice Place Cards become Christmas Ornaments!

Tips for Success and FAQs

Can I use Heat Transfer vinyl?

Yes, you can easily use HTV when making these place cards. Be sure to mirror your design before cutting on your cutting mat. After applying the HTV, allow the surface to cool before sealing it with the Mod Podge.

Can I use a home iron instead of a heat press if I use HTV?

Yes, you can. Be aware of the differing temperatures. A heat press allows you to set the proper temperature, and a household iron does not. Using the linen setting is usually the best, but it can vary between brands. Do not use the steam function when applying HTV.

How to Use Wood Slice Place Cards.

These DIY Christmas Place cards also make cute Christmas ornaments. To use as a place card, use the jute hanging string as your napkin holder. Once you are done with it, allow your guests to take their place card home and use it as a personalized ornament. They look super cute hanging on a Christmas tree.

You can also make and use them for other occasions. Here are a few ideas to get you started,

Christmas Dinner: Personalize each wood slice with a guest’s name and place it at their setting.

Thanksgiving: Use the natural wood look with fall colours and greenery. Add miniature autumn leaves in place of the bottle brush tree.

Rustic Wedding: Use smaller slices with elegant lettering. Attach gold rings or miniature champagne glasses.

Holiday Party: Add the guest’s name and a small seasonal embellishment. Replace the embellishments with birthday-related items.

Do I need to seal them with Mod Podge?

No, this is optional. If you are planning on using your Christmas place cards over again, sealing them with a layer of Mod Podge is recommended. It will make them last longer and secure any of the vinyl edges from fading in the future.

I make a set of sealed Christmas place cards for guests who are regular attendees. I always have a few blanks on hand for extra guests and can quickly apply a name to them.

Printable Instructions

I hope you enjoy this easy project for our Christmas DIY Wood Slice Place Cards. These are great year-round at any celebration; just change the design and decorate your table.

This website contains affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases (at no cost to you).