5 Fun Autumn-Themed Card Ideas to Share with Seniors

By Avni Sriram, Founder, Art from Heart

A small, seasonal card can brighten a quiet afternoon. These five ideas are quick for students and clubs, need only basic supplies, and are easy to mail.

1) Leaf Rubbing Postcard

Supplies: White cardstock, real leaves, crayons or colored pencils, tape.

How-to: Tape a leaf vein-side up to the table, place cardstock on top, and rub gently with the side of a crayon to reveal the leaf pattern. Add a short note on the back.

Tip: Use high-contrast colors and large, clear handwriting.

2) Cozy Teacup Card

Supplies: Folded cardstock, scrap paper for collage, glue stick, pen; (optional) a sealed tea bag.

How-to: Cut a simple teacup shape from colored paper and glue it to the card. Draw steam curls and write a friendly line like “Wishing you a warm, calm afternoon.”

Mail-safe: If adding a tea bag, tape it inside so it doesn’t slide; keep the card under ¼" thick.

3) “Thankful Tree” Mini Collage

Supplies: Brown paper (trunk), colored scraps (leaves), glue, marker.

How-to: Glue a simple tree trunk. Add leaf shapes and write one word on each leaf (e.g., “music,” “sunshine,” “books”). End with a kind sentence: “I’m thankful for you today.”

Variation: Invite classmates to add one leaf each, then sign with first names only.

4) Window View: First Day of Fall

Supplies: Cardstock, ruler, pen, colored pencils.

How-to: Draw a rectangle “window” divided into four panes. In each pane, sketch something small—orange leaf, scarf, book, mug. Add a caption: “A little fall view from my desk.”

Accessibility: Keep shapes bold and outlines clear; avoid tiny details.

5) Pumpkin Patch Pattern

Supplies: Orange paper circles or stickers, green pen, fine black marker.

How-to: Arrange three to five “pumpkins” across the card. Add stems and curly vines. On one pumpkin, write a short message like “Hope your week feels cozy and bright.”

Fast finish: Outline pumpkins with a thin black line so they pop.

Ready to start your card? Pick one idea, set a 20-minute timer, make two: one to mail and one to keep - and share this with a friend so you can start together.