Looking for a heartfelt, homemade gift idea? This DIY “Reasons Why I Love You” flipbook is easy to make, completely customizable, and perfect for Christmas. If you’re even a little bit handy in Canva, you can change the design for other holidays. It’s a timeless way to express love—and the inspiration for this idea came from my father-in-law.
The Story Behind This Gift
When I first met my husband Bobby’s parents, their relationship became my North Star for what real love looks like. They were tender, joyful, fun, and deeply committed—a model I’ve carried with me ever since. Sadly, Bobby’s mom passed away a few years later. She was a splendid wife, mother, and woman, and she is still missed to this day.
Years later, Dad married another beautiful woman, Shirley, and loved her just as deeply. Two wonderful women, both blessed to be cherished by him. In almost every card I wrote to Dad, I thanked him for raising and mentoring his son to be the strong, compassionate, loving husband that he is.
When Dad passed away, we gathered to prepare his home for sale. I was encouraged to take anything I wanted as a keepsake. I didn’t take much—but one thing I did take means the world to me. I look at it almost every day.
It’s a simple gift Dad made for Shirley: a packet of thirteen plain white 4×6 note cards, hole-punched at the top and tied together with two red ribbons. The first card reads, in Dad’s handwriting, “Reasons Why I Love You.” The rest of the cards list those reasons—each one a testament to his heart.
My blog, Nobody Says Darling Anymore, is about finding and offering timeless love in a modern world. And this? This way—Dad’s way—never goes out of style. Carolyn was happy. Shirley was happy. And so was Dad, believe me. I can’t count the number of times Shirley told me what a wonderful husband Dad was. He knew how to love a woman, and at 92 years old, he was still teaching us all.
Inspired by Dad: Make Your Own Version
You can create this gift two ways:
- Old-school like Dad: Plain note cards, hole punch, and ribbon. I love this style because it’s written in your handwriting.
- Modern and polished: A Canva-designed flipbook you can print at home or at a local print shop. I love this one, too, because it’s beautiful and elegant. It’s typewritten but the words are yours and they’re personal.
You choose your style. You can’t go wrong.
Here’s how to make the Canva version (and yes, it’s beginner-friendly!).
DIY “Reasons Why I Love You” Flipbook Using Canva
Materials Needed
- Free Canva account (Sign up -I’ll show you how)
- My template link: I’ll give you the link
- Computer or tablet
- Printer or a local print shop (Staples, Office Depot)
- Heavy cardstock (white or cream)
- Hole punch
- Satin ribbon or twine (red or any color you love)
Just in case: Old-School Version
- Plain note cards or sturdy paper
- Pen or marker
- Hole punch
- Satin ribbon or twine (red or any color you love)
Step-by-Step Instructions
✅ Important Note About the Link
The link you click will open your own copy of the design. You won’t change the original.
Step 0: Create a Free Canva Account
Go to Canva.com/signup and create a free account using your email or Google login. If you have an account, skip to Step 1.
Step 1: Open the Template
- Click this link: Open Template.
- When the page opens, click Edit Template to make your own copy and start customizing.
Step 2: Customize Your Design
- Replace the sample text with your own “Reasons Why I Love You.”
- Change fonts or colors if you like (festive red, cream, and gold work beautifully). Make any changes you like – this is your creation!
Step 3: Download and Print
- Check over your work before printing! Typos are like bad tattoos—permanent, regrettable, and everyone will notice.
- In Canva, in the upper right corner, click Share → Download.
- For file type, choose PDF Print for best quality. If you’re printing the cards yourself, check the box Crop marks and bleed. These are guides so you’ll know where to cut because nothing says ‘I love you’ like a card shaped like Idaho.
- Then click download at the bottom again. The purple one. This prints it as a file on your device.
4. When you print your file, choose the radio button Actual Size so you get what I created: a perfect 7-inch by 5-inch design. It’s perfect for a flipbook!
5. Print on heavy cardstock for durability or upload to a local print shop like Staples or Office Depot.
I sent mine to a printer. Here’s what we agreed:
Printing
1 Finished Piece
Each of 11
1 side
12-point Cardstock • White
Side 1 Ink: Full Color
Finishing
Each of 11
Cut to 7 inches by 5 inches
2 Holes per Sheet centered along the long edge at the top of the page
Hole size: .250
Step 4: Assemble Your Flipbook
- Hole punch two evenly spaced holes at the top of each card. The spots are marked for you. (That was my friend Bec’s idea. And she did it for us. Yay for smart and sweet friends!)
- Tie with two satin ribbons or twine (red for Christmas or any color you love).
Do me a favor!
Please share your finished gift on my Facebook or Insta pages. Bobby and I would so love to see your gifts of love inspired by his dad. Show us a page or two of your reasons. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours…
This Matters
This gift is simple, meaningful, and timeless. Whether you make it old-school like Dad or use Canva for a polished look, the heart behind it is what matters most. In a world that moves fast, let’s slow down and remind the people we love why they matter.