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Tag: vintage advertising

Kitschy & Fun Vintage Christmas Cards

Christmas is almost here and I’m very excited! However the one thing I’m super behind on, is my Christmas cards. Every year it is a struggle. But you know what was not a struggle? Putting together this fun blog post for all of you.

The following vintage festive greetings cards from the 1930s-1960s are just so wonderful! Great illustrations and fun greetings.

Let’s take a look!

1930s Christmas Card: Vintage Season's Greetings Art Deco Christmas card featuring an illustration of a 1930s couiple with a futuristic 1930s car.

Source: Etsy- BigGDesigns (Digital download of a vintage Christmas card)


VINTAGE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING: I have created a collection on Etsy for ‘Vintage Christmas’ items. Great for decor & gifting.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

NOTE: If you click on any of the items featured below and they are not available, don’t fret! Hit the search button and see what else is on the websites. There are 1000’s and 1000’s of items being listed daily.


Vintage Christmas Cards 1930s-1960s

Brief History of the Christmas Card

The first commercially available card was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole and designed by John Callcott Horsley in London 1843.[3][4][5] The central picture showed three generations of a family raising a toast to the card’s recipient: on either side were scenes of charity, with food and clothing being given to the poor.[6] Allegedly the image of the family drinking wine together proved controversial, but the idea was shrewd: Cole had helped introduce the Penny Post three years earlier. Two batches totaling 2,050 cards were printed and sold that year for a shilling each (Source).

Further Reading: The History of the Christmas Card by Smithsonian Magazine

The world's first commercially produced Christmas card, designed by John Callcott Horsley for Henry Cole in 1843

Source: Wikipedia

Season’s Greetings! Christmas cards displayed on a fireplace mantel -1950s vintage photo.

1950s vintage photo of a fireplace mantel with christmas cards all around it and a stocking hung with care

Source: Etsy-LightSilverAndPaper

What a fun 1930s Christmas Card! “In haste to wish you a Merry Christmas”. Ha!

1930s vintage Christmas Card featuring a young boy running to the outhouse with the card saying "In haste to wish you a Merry Christmas".

Source: eBay

The 1930’s saw the great depression hit in the United States and so card is a bit different. It features a couple expressing they have no funds, but still wanting to offer up holiday greetings.

Now while this card has a serious subject, the illustration is still great.

1930s vintage Christmas card featuring a poor couple during the depression unable to partake in food but still wishing everyone Seasons Greetings.

Source: Slate.com

1930s Christmas card featuring Santa and his toy bag, ready to give out his gifts but there is a suprise…..

1930s vintage Christmas Card featuring an illustration of Santa with his bag of toys.

A doggie is in the bag!

1930s vintage Christmas Card inside featuring santas toy bag and a cute dog illustration jumping out.

Source: WorthPoint.com

“A Christmas message to the girl I married. Christmas greetings to the girl who rules the roost, by golly….”

A 1940’s Christmas greeting card-multi-paged.

Super fun vintage hairstyle inspiration with kitschmas accessories.

1940s vintage christmas card featuring an illustration of a 1940s young woman by a christmas tree

“Who trims the tree for lucky me and decks the joint with holly!”

1940s vintage christmas card featuring an illustration of a 1940s young woman by a christmas tree in fun 1940s fashion.

“And when I think how swell you are, I often stop and pause – and then I hum: “By Gosh, by Gum, THERE IS A SANTY CLAUS!” Merry Christmas, Sweetheart!”

1940s vintage christmas card featuring an illustration of a 1940s young woman by a christmas tree and with santa Claus. Great 1940s hairstyle

Source: WorthPoint.com

“Make Your Own Christmas Cards” Fabulous vintage DIY Christmas card book from the 1940’s. Book contains uncut Christmas cards, similar in size to Valentine Cards. The graphics were designed by Eve Rockwell. Eve Rockwell was a renowned artist, famous for greeting card and figurine designs. She is also the niece of Norman Rockwell (Source).

1940s Christmas Cards: Fabulous vintage DIY Christmas card book from the 1940's. Book contains uncut Christmas cards, similar in size to Valentine Cards. The graphics were designed by Eve Rockwell. Eve Rockwell was a renowned artist, famous for greeting card and figurine designs. She is also the niece of Norman Rockwell
1940s Christmas Cards: Fabulous vintage DIY Christmas card book from the 1940's. Book contains uncut Christmas cards, similar in size to Valentine Cards. The graphics were designed by Eve Rockwell. Eve Rockwell was a renowned artist, famous for greeting card and figurine designs. She is also the niece of Norman Rockwell

Source: Etsy-ThirstyOwlVintage

1940s Christmas card featuring a pretty blonde woman admiring in her image in a mirror while dressed all up for festive winter activities.

This is a digital download of a vintage card, that you can purchase at the link above or clicking the image below.

1940s vintage christmas card featuring a blonde woman in a winter hat and gloves and sweater checking her appearance in a mirror

Source: Etsy –PJsVintageCardsEtc

An adorable 1940s festive greeting card featuring 4 teenagers singing Christmas Carols.

I LOVE the girl on the left’s jackets! I’m sure it was a fun teen trend during that time (runs off to look into this….).

1940s Vintage Christmas Card featuring 4 teenagers in highschool in 1940s fashions singing Christmas Carols
1940s Vintage Christmas Card featuring teenagers in highschool  in 1940s fashions singing Christmas Carols

Source: eBay

1940s card of a cat and dog getting into trouble in the Christmas dresser. Opps!

1940s vintage Christmas Card of a cat and a dog getting into trouble where the Christmas gifts and decorations are.

Source: Pinterest

Wonderful vintage 1950s Christmas card with record. The music plays Let’s have an old fashion Christmas. Made by Melody Cards in England Circa 1950’s.

1950s Christmas Card: Wonderful vintage Christmas card with record. The music plays Let’s have an old fashion Christmas. Made by Melody Cards in England Circa 1950’s.

Source: Etsy-CherryPickerFinds

Merry Christmas From the Cairl’s! 1950s photo of sisters wearing graduation caps and gowns for the family Christmas card.

Further Reading: Vintage Photo Christmas Cards -Festive Greetings From The Family!

1950s vintage christmas card featuring a photo of two young girls in graduation gowns

Source: Etsy-LightSilverAndPaper

Merry Christmas from a fancy black poodle prancing under the Christmas tree in the 1950s.

1950s vintage Christmas Card featuring a Mid Century illustration of a black poodle holding a Merry Christmas sign.

Source: Worthpoint.com

Two candles come together to share Christmas joy in this 1950s / 1960s

1950s  / 1960s vintage christmas card with an illustration of two candles wishing a merry christmas.
1950s  / 1960s vintage christmas card with an illustration of two candles wishing a merry christmas.

Source: eBay

Cute & Kitschy die-cut reindeer Christmas card from the 1950s.

Mechanical, Die-cut Reindeer - 1950's Vintage Christmas Card

Source: eBay

1960s vintage Christmas card featuring an illustration of a young woman hanging garland while on the phone.

1960s vintage christmas card featuring an illustration of a young woman in 1960s fashion hanging garland while on the phone.

Source: Pinterest

Thank you for dropping by! Please share in the comments section what your favourite card was, or anything you wish to chat about regarding this topic. I love hearing from my readers!

1950 vintage catalog page from a 1953 Sears Christmas Wishbook featuring a page of 1950s Christmas Cards

Further Reading: Vintage Christmas 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)

Liz

Christmas Lights Advertising 1940s-1960s

Experience a blast from the past this holiday season with classic vintage Christmas light advertisements. Re-discover the nostalgia of holidays past and explore creative advertising from the 1940s to the 1960s. Find your favorite and re-ignite the festive holiday spirit.

Vintage Christmas Light ad for lights for the Christmas Tree from Edison - Edison Miniature Lamps.

Vintage Christmas Light Advertising 1940s-1960s

“A Glorious Tree = A Merrier Christmas”. 1940s vintage ad from the Wester Auto Associate Store.

1940s vintage ad for Colorful Christmas light for sale at Western Auto Associate Store.

Source: Pinterest

“4 Bright GE Ways to Say “Merry Christmas””. 1947 ad for various styles of Christmas lights for your home.

1940s vintage Christmas Ad from 1947 for GE Lamps Christmas Lights in 4 different styles.

Source: Pinterest

Bubble-Lites! This is a Christmas tree decoration that holds a big place in my heart.

I have an early childhood memory of sitting in front of my parents tree and watching those lights bubble and light up. Gosh they made me so happy!

Did you have Bubble-Lites?

1940s vintage ad for Noma Bubble-Lites  from 1947 featuring an illustration of a child dressed up like santa and all the bubble lites you can buy for your Christmas Tree

Source: Envisioningtheamericandream.com

“How to make your house say Merry Christmas with Light”. 1951 General Electric ad.

1950s vintage ad for General Electric Christmas lights from 1951 featuring images of homes with Christmas Lights on it.

Source: Pinterest

“New Christmas bulb won’t chip or peel!”. Westinghouse Christmas Lights ad as seen in a LIFE Magazine, Dec 1, 1952.

1950s vintage Christmas ad: "New Christmas bulb won't chip or peel!". Westinghouse Christmas Lights ad as seen in a LIFE Magazine, Dec 1, 1952.

Source: Pinterest

So many different Noma lights to fill your home with, this holiday season. 1950s “Noma Safety Fuse Plugs Sets-3 times as safe!” vintage ad.

Vintage Noma Christmas lights magazine ad from the 1950s.

Source: Pinterest

“Make your doorway smile a holiday welcome with New G-E Christmas Lamps!”. 1954 vintage ad.

This was the year GE introduced the ceramic coloring process for their C7 Christmas Lamps (Source).

1950s vintage chistmas advertisement: "Make your doorway smile a holiday welcome with New G-E Christmas Lamps!". 1954 ad featuring images of houses with doors decorated with lights.

Source: Pinterest

1963 Ad. I like the little mid century man illustration to showcase how easy it is to put up the lights.

1960s vintage ad: 1963 GE Christmas Lights Ad featuring a mid century illustration of a man putting up the lights on his tree.

Source: Pinterest

1950s vintage catalog for Norma Christmas lights from 1959 featuring “midget lites” (small lights some with flowers like poinsetta).

See inside the whole catalog

1950s vintage catalog for Norma Christmas lights from 1959

Source: Flickr

Here is another GE ad but this time from 1964. “This year get the ALL General Electric Christmas Light Set. Last longer, looks better, makes decorating easier!”

1960s vintage Christmas ad for General Electric Christmas Lights from 1964.

Source: Reddit

“Brightly lighted lawn pieces you can see for a block”. Light up santas, snownmen and more as seen in a 1968 Sears Wishbook catalog.

Further Reading: A Look Inside A 1957 Sears Christmas Book

"Brightly lighted lawn pieces you can see for a block". Lite up Santas, snownmen and more as seen in a 1968 Sears Wishbook catalog.

Source: Pinterest

I hope you enjoyed this fun collection of vintage Christmas light ads (they were so colorful!). Please share in the comment section, what your favourite was, or anything you wish to chat about regarding this topic. I love hearing from my readers.

Further Reading:

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz