Antique Christmas Postcards

Christmas postcards became popular in the Victorian period right into the early 1900’s, thanks to a combination of cheaper printing techniques and even cheaper post, with the arrival of the Penny Black postage stamp.

Coming in all shapes, sizes, and materials, Christmas cards were sent in their millions to all corners of the British Empire.

 Victorian illustrators created an entire mythology of exactly what we imagine a European Christmas should look like. With classic scenes of present-covered Christmas trees, holly, robins, sleighs, and snow-covered country lanes.

When we dream of a white Christmas, it is the festive cards of the 19th century which are largely responsible for that imagery.

A lot of the Victorian cards had Santa kidnapping children and murderous mice as part of the  Victorian-era Christmas card tradition.

In the 19th century, before festive Christmas cards became the norm, Victorians put a darkly humorous and twisted spin on their seasonal greetings.

We are so glad we got past THAT phase of Christmas decor.