DIY Wood Slice Christmas Place Cards

The personal touch that makes every guest feel special the second they sit down — and doubles as a take-home gift.

There’s something about seeing your own name at a place setting that makes a holiday dinner feel a little more special. Store-bought place cards get tossed at the end of the night, though, and that always felt like a waste to me.

So I started making mine on little wood slices — and here’s the part I love: guests take them home to hang on the tree as an ornament. One tiny craft doubles as a place card and a party favor.

They cost next to nothing, come together in an afternoon, and add that finishing rustic touch to a farmhouse Christmas table.

Setting the whole table? These wood slice place cards pair perfectly with my Cheap Table Decor for Christmas roundup for the centerpieces and more.

Why You’ll Love These

• They pull double duty. Place card at dinner, keepsake ornament after — one craft, two jobs.
• Practically free. A bag of wood slices makes a whole table’s worth.
• Guests feel seen. A named seat is a small thing that lands big.
• Kid-friendly. Little helpers can hand-letter or decorate their own.

Supplies You’ll Need

(Most of this is at the Dollar Tree, a craft store, or already in your stash!)

• Wood slices — small round craft discs
• A paint pen or fine marker — white or black shows up best
• Twine — for a hanging loop
• Optional: mini eye hooks, a small sprig of greenery, or a berry pick for accents

How to Make Wood Slice Place Cards

1. Prep the slices Give each wood slice a quick wipe (a light sanding if they’re rough) so your pen glides on cleanly. Set them out and let them come to room temperature if they were stored somewhere cold.

2. Letter the names Write each guest’s name across the slice with your paint pen. A paint pen beats a regular marker here — it stays crisp on wood instead of feathering. If your handwriting isn’t your favorite, a simple all-caps print always looks intentional. I’m too impatient for that so I would outline in pencil first then go over with the paint pen.

3. Add a hanging loop Screw a mini eye hook into the top and thread a loop of twine through it, or simply tie twine around the slice. This is what turns it from a place card into a take-home ornament.

4. Add an accent (optional) Tuck a tiny sprig of greenery or a berry pick behind the twine for a little extra charm.

5. Set the table Lay one at each place setting, resting on the napkin or plate. At the end of the night, tell your guests to take theirs home for the tree — it’s always a sweet little moment.

Styling Variations

One base slice, four different looks:

• Rustic farmhouse: bare wood + black lettering + a twine loop.
• Elegant: a gold or metallic paint pen + a boxwood sprig.
• Whimsical: add a tiny bell, a mini pinecone, or a dab of faux snow.
• Keepsake: add the year under the name so it becomes a dated ornament.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of marker works best on wood? A paint pen. Regular markers can bleed into the grain, while paint pens stay sharp and bold. White and black both read well against natural wood.

Where do I buy wood slices? The Dollar Tree and most craft stores carry small craft rounds, or you can cut your own from a branch if you’re handy with a saw.

How do I turn them into ornaments? Add a mini eye hook or a twine loop at the top before you set the table, so guests can hang theirs the moment they get home.

Can kids help make these? Absolutely — hand-lettering or decorating their own is a great little table job for young helpers.

The Sweetest Little Detail

That’s it — the personal touch that costs pennies and sends everyone home with a keepsake. Make a set the afternoon before your gathering and your table’s ready.

Round out the table: add my DIY Mason Jar Candle Centerpiece, DIY Twine Napkin Rings, and DIY Cylinder Vase Centerpiece for a spread that looks like you fussed way more than you did.