Vintage Holiday Photo Cards to Bring the Past into the Present

Exchanging holiday greeting cards became widespread during the nineteenth century. A more educated middle class and the growth of the postal service as people migrated are just two of the reasons. Christmas time seemed like a natural opportunity to share good will in the form of a cheerful missive.

That tradition has reached new heights thanks to a whole line of vintage holiday greeting cards. Some designs feature the art of those early years. Others use motifs from the turn of the twentieth century. Still more might take advantage of the great graphics of Hollywood’s Golden Era. That’s nearly 200 years of history to draw on to create some of the finest vintage cards of today.

The Vintage Whimsy Christmas Photo Card adapts the artwork of the late nineteenth century/early twentieth century to create a holiday greeting that never goes out of style. The scrollwork might have been found on a mansion gate. Or, the design might have been used in the furniture carvings of a well-to-do residence. Wherever it originated, this lovely card shows just how flexible such motifs are. That flexibility reaches a new peak, courtesy of three image areas you can use for your favorite photos.

Vintage motifs can run the gamut from simple to complex, and both may be found on the same card. The Holiday Hoedown Christmas Greeting Card design may sound like it was designed for a southern holiday party. But the nineteenth century scrollwork wouldn’t usually be seen there. No matter. Fine art transcends geography and once you add your photo you’ll demonstrate that superbly.

The Joyful Strokes Christmas Greeting Card design shows yet again how varied the vintage motifs can be. A simple line drawing evolves to a more complex motif and ends in a simple word - “JOY” - at the center. Your photo forms the emotional center of this lovely design. Share your holiday joy with loved ones near and far using this outstanding greeting card.

Vintage themes can be simple or complex, courtesy of the long history from which it draws. The Fanciful Flowers Holiday Photo Card presents a delightful combination of old and new. Its floral graphic blends splashes of symmetric snowflakes in holiday red and white with a cheerful vintage motif. You supply the portrait to occupy the left half of the card and the result is the best of all possible worlds.

The word “vintage” doesn’t have to mean “centuries old”. The Festive Film Holiday Greeting Card design might just remind viewers of the classic films from Hollywood’s golden age. Sprocketed film was used for those movies and the design was often adapted to film posters. You create your own poster by filling three of the frames with your preferred photos. Cast your entire family and then send a party invitation to all their fans.

You might prefer something 100 years old or only 50. Either way, holiday card designers have selected from and adapted over 150 years of graphic design to create unique vintage holiday photo cards. What’s old is always becoming new again and these artists have re-created designs that capture the best of all traditions.

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