One of the sweetest memories is sitting at the kitchen table sorting through all of the lovely Christmas cards coming from near and far from the people you love. From your neighbor a few doors down, or your aunts and uncles thousands of miles away, there’s something so special about this one thoughtful piece of stationary making its way all the way to your front door of well wishes and holiday cheer.
Honoring the traditions of Christmas don’t always have to be grand, but can be found in the small carefully thought out details. As emails, quick texts, and virtual cards become increasingly popular, and admittedly more convenient, the sentiment of a hand written, christmas postcard, sealed with love and sent is a gesture that should never be forgotten.
If you are recreating this Christmas tradition for yourself, your family, or even for your children, this post will help you embrace the charm of vintage christmas cards, give some insight on where to find them, and walk you through how to make your own vintage Christmas postcard right at home!
Vintage Christmas Postcard
The beauty of classic Christmas postcards lies in the carefully crafted details making each one unique. Where now cards are so easily mass produced, printed, and shipped, the process of creating vintage christmas cards was an art in itself. From hand painted water colors, scenes of angels and the wise men etched in graceful detail, and capturing Santa spreading joy in his striking red suit. These classic motifs weren’t just chosen at random, but they carried a special meaning that words couldn’t do justice. Each one carrying thoughtfulness and intentionality with it.
Carrying that feeling into the holiday season today, this aesthetic still resonates and reminds us of slower times, delicately wrapping each gift in wrapping paper, and signing each tag with a handwritten note, all done in such thoughtful detail. For those who love cozy, traditional elements sprinkled throughout your holiday traditions, these postcards serve as inspiration, an extra dose of thoughtfulness in your gift giving, and even unique decor!
Where to Find Vintage Christmas Postcards:
Sometimes the treasure is just as nice as the hunt. With many vintage high quality pieces they are both rare, and can be hard to find, but so worth it. Great places to start your search if you’re looking for original and well crafted cards would be local antique shops, estate sales, and even checking in with older generations in your family. Another great option if you aren’t as physically accessible to these stores is to check out Etsy. If there’s anything custom, niche, and handmade I can almost always count on Etsy to deliver.
If authentic vintage christmas postcards are still out of your reach, then next up we’ll cover some resources on how to create your own right at home.
Creating Vintage-Inspired Christmas Postcards at Home:
If you aren’t able to find authentic Christmas postcards that speak to you either online or from searching around then here are some tips for making your own right at home. While you can find a lot of free vintage postcard designs online, these aren’t your only options. Not only is the art of creating your own Christmas postcards a thoughtful gesture, but it gives you the freedom to get creative, and take all of the parts of vintage postcard that you love the most and incorporating them in your own Christmas cards.
Vintage Christmas cards have this delicate, and artful aesthetic to them, let’s break a few down.
- Calligraphy: Writing in its most elegant art form. Calligraphy is a writing style that truly makes every word romantic from just the stroke of a pen. This project is a fun way to introduce or even hone your calligraphy skills. Shop around for high quality calligraphy pens to make the experience more enchanting.
- Watercolors: You’ll frequently spot water color pantings in classic Christmas cards. From scenery, to characters, to objects. Instead of cutting and pasting a photo, grab a water color set and try your hand at hand painting simple christmas lights or an ornament. I promise you, just the simple act of hand painting your card will make it all the more timeless and meaningful to that special recipient.
- Texture: To really set your Christmas postcard apart from the rest this year, create using a high quality paper, preferably a linen like texture. Not only will this give even more of a vintage feel, but these types of paper are more durable, ensuring that your postcard will hold together for years to come.
- Colors: When it comes to what colors to incorporate when crafting you Christmas card, traditional wins. Think deep reds, earthy forest greens, hints of gold, and soft creams. These colors say classic Christmas without having to utter a word.
Whether you’re hunting for authentic Christmas cards, or deciding to get creative and make them handmade, no matter the how, Christmas postcards made with love help us to savor the season.
Taking moments to slow down and write to someone who holds a special place in your heart, wishing them well during the holidays is special enough. Now imagine the pure joy of that special someone on the other side, opening their mailbox, and soaking up every beautiful word, and every crafted detail in the art. That is what it’s all about. That joyous and nostalgic feeling you get cherishing the wonders of Christmas, and letting it pour out into the love you share with others. One moment of intention, could mean a lifetime of joyful holiday memories for someone else, and that is always worth it!
