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Tag: vintage christmas

Vintage Christmas Photos of Santa Claus

The holiday season often brings back nostalgic feelings of wonder, joy, and festivity. But it’s not just the decorations and the treats that make it special – there’s something about seeing people dressed up as Santa that brings a smile to our faces. From classic department store Santa’s to charming family portraits, vintage photos give us a unique glimpse into a simpler time when dressing up as the jolly old man was something to look forward to.

In this post, we’ll explore some fun vintage photos of people (or things) dressed as Santa Claus, from the 1930s-1960s. Get ready to get into the festive spirit!


Side fun fact..my husband and I for the last few years (minus those “years we missed”) have played Mr & Mrs Claus for a friends Christmas party and my husband has played Santa for the Toronto Vintage Society Kitschmas parties. So much fun! Scroll to the end to see our 2023 version vrs 2008 (when we first started to play around with dressing up).


1940s / 1950s vintage modeling photo of pretty woman in a pretty dress posing with Santa Claus.

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 Photos of Santa Claus 1930s-1960s

A little girl receives a special gift from her dad dressed up as Santa Claus. The smile on her face says she is very happy with her book. -1950s photo.

1950s vintage photo of a man dressed up as Santa Claus delivering gifts to a little girl in her livingroom

Source: Etsy-maclancy

Dec 19th, 1950 Santa pays a visit to a Black community centre. How adorable are the two kids with their presents?

1950s vintage photo: Dec 19th, 1950 Santa pays a visit to a Black community centre. and has two little kids sitting on his lap with presents.

Source: Library & Archives Canada

1952 “Secrets to Santa” department store Santa, meet and greet setup.

1950s vintage photo of a mall santa with men women and kids in 1950s fashions taking photos with him-1952

Source: Library & Archives Canada

Stuffed Santa just hanging out with kids in the yard in this 1930s/1940s photo.

1930s 1940s vintage photo of kids playing with a large stuffed Santa Claus outside

Source: Etsy-iloveyoumorephotos

Dec 21st, 1949. Kiwanis Christmas party at St. Brigid’s Home, [Quebec, P.Q.]

Dec 21st, 1949. Kiwanis Christmas party at St. Brigid's Home, [Quebec, P.Q.] featuring Santa Claus with his bag of toys.

Source: Library & Archives Canada

1940s (possibly 50s) of a young boy in a matching leather jacket and hat getting his time with Santa.

vintage photo from the mid century of a young Black boy in a leather jacket and leather hat sitting on Santas lap

Source: Etsy-thewurdenmanstudio

If your face does not look like Santa’s just wear a mask with the outfit. 1950s/1960s kids Christmas party.

1950s/1960s kids Christmas party vintage photo featuring a person dressed up as Santa with a mask on.

Source: eBay

1960s photo of a pretty woman with the perfect 60s hairstyle and dress posing with the Christmas party Santa.

1960s vintage photo of a pretty wman in a polka dot 1960s dress and big 60's hairstyle posing with a man dressed up as Santa at a Christmas party with kids in the background.

Source: eBay

Now there is nobody dressed as the jolly man himself, but it was too cute of a photo to pass by.

“Everyone say cheese with Santa!” 1950s vintage photo of a group of ladies posing with a Santa image on a door.

1950s vintage photo of 3 women & one young girl in 1950s coats posing with a mask of santa on the door of a building

Source: Etsy-thewurdenmanstudio

1950s vintage photo of the work Christmas Party featuring Papa Noel (aka Santa Claus), stylish women and 2 men in uniform. Great 1950s fashions on our ladies in the middle (love the striped sweater).

This image comes from a past post entitled, “Festive Vintage Christmas Photos 1940s-1960s“.

1950s vintage photo of the work Christmas Party featuring Papa Noel (aka Santa Claus), stylish women and 2 men in uniform. Great 1950s fashions on our ladies in the middle (love the striped sweater).

Bushy hair Santa – 1950s photo.

1950s vintage photo of a young boy on the lap of santa claus who has very bushy hair.

Source: Etsy-Niepce Gallery

Dec 1964-4 kids pose for a Christmas photo with a paper mache Santa.

1960s vintage photo from Dec 1964 of 4 young kids posing with a paper mache Santa Claus

Source: Etsy-maclancy

1955 department store Santa with a lineup of kids and parents eager to get those lists discussed with the big man in red himself.

1950s vintage photo of kids visiting Santa Claus in a department store in 1955

Source: Library & Archives Canada

My last photo in this post is a funny one from the 1950s. Santa is surrounded by loads of kids and one creepy clown, while clearly over the whole experience. Ha!

1950s vintage Christmas Photo: Santa is surrounded by loads of kids and one creepy clown, while clearly over the whole experience.

Source: eBay

Thank you for spending some time at the Vintage Inn blog with my latest post. I really appreciate my readers and during this festive time, I would like to say Thank You. Thank You for commenting, emailing, reading and sharing. I truly appreciate it.

Now please share in the comments section, what your favourite image was, or anything else you wish to talk about on this topic.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! Oh and here is the photos I promised of my husband and I in 2008 (top) vrs 2023 as Mr & Mrs. Claus. 2008 is the year we started dating as well.

Liz

Further Reading: Vintage Christmas 1920s-1960s blog posts (Archived)

Fun photo of the Vintage Inn Blog as Mr and Mrs Claus the kitsky Christmas versions.

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)


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