In 1956, Norman Rockwell’s depiction of Christmas in “The Truth About Santa” included a rosy-cheeked child and a red Santa suit.
Those days certainly carried a certain nostalgia, but today’s family holidays don’t necessarily include Santa. Or children. Yet, the holidays are just as merry and bright in 2019, and holiday cards should reflect that truth using each family’s unique style.
Here are seven new ways to share the holiday spirit this year on a greeting card.
Location-Inspired
Recent vacations to an awesome location make an excellent backdrop for a holiday card. A trip to Washington D.C. or Paris, for example, might call for a famous monument in the background. Alternatively, regional themes from home can inspire a card’s design, like using a blue and white color scheme to indicate coastal living.
Lifestyle
Taking a step back from posed family photos, many families are now showcasing their lifestyle and hobbies on their holiday cards. Candid photos of an individual or family surfing, playing volleyball or hiking together is an authentic way to show recipients what you are up to without a long-winded explanation or fake smiles.
Wedding Announcements
Newlyweds can use their first holiday card as a married couple to announce their wedding or share a photo from their honeymoon. A professional photo of the smiling bride and groom is a great way to include friends and family who weren’t necessarily invited as guests to the wedding.
Birth Announcement
Likewise, birth announcements make a fantastic holiday card to welcome the season, as well as the new addition to the family. A simple white design with a few seasonal accents like gold foil around the edges is a sophisticated seasonal complement to a perfect bundle of joy.
Change of Address
A new home also features well in a holiday photo card. Homeowners can send a quirky photo of themselves on their new front steps, or design a card with a map graphic that illustrates where they moved. This strategy doubles as a way to notify recipients of a change of address.
Pet-Friendly
For those who consider their pets like children, showcasing a furry friend in a holiday card is a natural choice. Some people dress up their dog in an adorable sweater or force a glaring cat to don a Santa hat, while others might go for a goofy look by sticking a red nose and antlers on a pet. This is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of thing, and luckily it’s hard to make a pet look bad.
Nostalgic
Okay, maybe don’t go full 1950s, but there’s a reason why mailing holiday cards is on the rise: people like the nostalgia of a real card versus overly-edited social media. So, for the nostalgic style, the trend is gearing toward plaid patterns and Polaroid-esque white borders. To make it ironic, some senders create an overly-stylized photo scene in front of a fireplace reminiscent of the 1980s.
Make it Yours
Gone (mostly) are the days of awkward matching sweater photos and lengthy newsletters. Instead, families and individuals alike are choosing a holiday card that reflects their life in a more personal way. Customize and send a holiday photo card to announce a milestone or major life change, or to simply show your current interests, new home or pet to 100 of your closest family and friends.
