Christmas Card Archive Collectibles

Collectors of holiday memorabilia keep a stash of Christmas card archive collectibles for a variety of reasons.

First and foremost, a Christmas card must have a personal and sentimental significance to the collector especially cards with a handwritten message from a special someone.

So after all, it’s the thought that still counts.

But avid collectors cannot resist chasing after the rarest of Christmas cards such as the batches produced from between years 1880 to 1940.

If that quest proves to be elusive a collection may also center on a particular theme or motif, to name some: Nativity or the Holy Family, Santa Claus, Christmas tree, Snowman or Winter Wonderland.

Among the most popular early Christmas card archive collectibles are the vintage Christmas cards with hand- rendered illustrations of a chubby rosy-cheeked smiling Santa Claus in classic red and white suit.

Another set has Santa with his reindeer, pixies and sledges on them. A prized collection would be the early series of Christmas cards produced by UNICEF intended to draw funds and attention to the causes of the ternational organization.

UNICEF Christmas card campaign was launched in 1949. There are those who have a passion for vintage Hallmark Christmas cards, particularly the series of Christmas cards released when Hallmark was just starting.

A collection of Christmas card archive collectibles sourced from different countries is worthy of note. Somehow you get a glimpse of the country’s culture or values about Christmas through the Christmas cards coming from their country.

How about Christmas cards with anything fascinating about them? In shape, size, message content and detail. There is a growing clamor among serious collectors of Christmas cards sent or received by celebrities from the past and present.

Christmas cards of this kind, especially the ones with original mailing envelopes intact, are commanding high bids in online auctions. Who possibly has in his or her possession Christmas card archive collectibles of some of the first musical Christmas cards to have come out?

Christmas cards with light-hearted or humorous features are also worth collecting. We know of several known painters, illustrators and photographers who lent their expertise or otherwise commissioned to do Christmas artworks – that one, too.

The tradition of actually sending Christmas cards through post has waned a bit since the advent of the Internet and online greetings. If one happens to land in your mailbox, grab it and keep it before they take away this beautiful tradition. And reflect on the message. It’s the thought that counts.