If you’re planning a Harry Potter party or simply want some magical décor, making your own DIY Hogwarts letters is the perfect project. I chose to create my own envelopes instead of using store-bought ones because I wanted them to be sturdier, and cardstock gave them just the right thickness. I also didn’t want to buy a whole pack of envelopes when I only needed a few, and I loved the cardstock colors I already had—though I ended up experimenting with different shades.

For my party, I used the envelopes purely as décor, letting them “float” around the room for a truly magical touch. Since these envelopes don’t open, they aren’t ideal for invitations, but they’re perfect for decoration, especially with the pointed triangle flap design on the back that feels more authentic than a standard square flap.

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How to Make Harry Potter Envelopes

Creating your own Harry Potter letters is simple, fun, and adds a magical touch to any party or activity. With just a few supplies, you can make sturdy, Hogwarts-inspired envelopes that look like they came straight from the wizarding world.

Materials:

  • Cardstock Paper (preferably brown or tan in color)
  • Optional: Regular paper to use as template.
  • Pen (color of your choice, I did black)
  • Stamp (Old-timey if possible) I found some cute paper at Hobby Lobby and cut out little “stamps”. They have tons of vintage stickers, paper, and cutouts. This would be cool to use.
  • Glue
  • Tape
  • Fishing Line

Instructions:

  • Create a template first: I started by making a simple paper template so I could test the folds without having to redo them on cardstock. I trimmed an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet into an 8.5″ x 8.5″ square to use as my guide.

  • Cut your cardstock: Using the template, I trimmed my 12″ x 12″ cardstock down to the same square size, ensuring my folds would line up perfectly.

  • Fold the envelope: Place the square like a diamond and fold each corner into the center, overlapping slightly. Use glue or tape to secure the sides.

  • Add a stamp: After gluing, I cut a small “stamp” from pretty cardstock and glued it onto the top corner for decoration.

  • Write the address: Using an example Hogwarts envelope online, I copied the address in a whimsical font with a regular black pen.

  • Seal the magic: Finish the envelope with a seal. My daughter added her own by coloring a jagged red circle, but you could also use wax, stickers, or printed seals. You can buy these cute ones on Amazon.

Alternatives for DIY Harry Potter Envelopes

  • Use a premade envelope instead of making one from scratch.

  • Skip the template and fold directly on your cardstock or paper.

  • Print the Hogwarts-style lettering and glue it onto the envelope instead of writing by hand.

  • Buy decorative stamps to add a finishing touch instead of making your own seal.

How to Hang Harry Potter Envelopes to Make Them Float

  1. Thread fishing line through the top of each envelope where it isn’t glued.

  2. Tie a knot in the line to keep the envelope in place.

  3. Tape the line to the ceiling or, for some, directly to the wall.

Tip: Use a broom to reach high spots on the ceiling safely.

Harry Potter Letter

Making your own DIY Harry Potter letter envelopes is an easy way to add a personalized, magical touch to parties, games, or decorations. With cardstock and a little creativity, you can create sturdy envelopes that look like they came straight from Hogwarts. Whether you use them for invitations, party favors, or just for fun, these envelopes are sure to bring a bit of wizarding magic to your day.