Ideas for Place Cards & Holders

Place cards can be as simple as folded cardstock.

Place cards and holders tell people where to sit at conventions, banquets, weddings or other meetings or special occasions. Place cards and holders may be simple white cards printed with black text in plain holders. Cards and holders may, instead, reflect the tone and theme of the special occasion or event with use of color, font and texture.

Stamps, Stickers and More

Place cards can be printed on white or colored cardstock or created from index cards. You can write the names longhand in block or cursive. Use ink stamps -- the kind used with scrapbooking and for making cards -- and stickers to add a unique flavor to the place cards. Use appliqué designs of animals, flowers, holiday or special-occasion themes such as Christmas, birthdays and weddings. In a software program, you can choose different fonts, borders and graphics to add details to the place cards.

Stand Up Place Cards

Instead of creating both place cards and holders, make place cards that stand up on their own. Either hand write in script or print text, borders and graphics on the bottom half of an index card. Fold the card, text side out, for a stand up place card and holder in one. Use the theme of the occasion such as a heart for a Valentine's Day banquet, to create a stand up place card. Cut out two equal hearts. Also cut out a rainbow shape for the name to fit over the hearts. Mid point cut one heart to the bottom and the other to the top. Fit together. Glue the rainbow name arch to the top for a three-dimensional, stand up place card. Use this technique for other graphic representations such as the Christmas tree, Santa, Easter bunny, etc. for stand up place cards.

Themed Holders

Create place card holders that reflect the event, holiday or special occasion. Use colorful Christmas ornaments for place card holders. A pad of clay under the ornament keeps it from falling over. Attach the place card to the loop. Tape a place card to the pole of a small flag for a Independence Day place card holder. Attach place cards to small figurines, such as pumpkins for Halloween or a fall festival, or attach them to small stuffed bunnies for Easter. For Easter you can also use plastic Easter eggs as place card holders, filling them with mints. Decorate small frames for the occasion, framing both name and the picture of the individual.

Make it Edible

Create a place holder from something edible. Fill a small plastic container with mints or other small candy. Glue the place card to the outside. Decorate cookies, cupcakes or brownies for the occasion. Turn the place card into a flag by inserting a toothpick that you then stick into the cookie, cupcake or brownie.

Environmentally Friendly

Make your place card holders green with the use of greenery in small clay pots. Use living flowers planted in small pots. Tie on the place card or attach it to the clay pot. Reuse greeting cards by turning the front covers into stand up place cards. Make your own candles for the occasion, adding a place card to the outside.

References

• Martha Stewart: Tree Place Card
• Better Homes & Gardens: Place Card Ideas
• A Big Slice: Place Cards