Where to Buy Victorian Christmas Cards

Christmas is rapidly approaching and the state of the economy means that many people will have less money to spend on gifts and cards for the holidays. The thrifty shopper can save time, money, and gas by shopping online for unique Victorian-style Christmas cards. These Christmas cards can become gifts and keepsakes, especially if the type of card is matched to the particular tastes of the recipient. Victorian Christmas cards run the gamut from scenes of quaint main streets, to glimpses of a big city at Christmas, to rural landscapes complete with snow, sleighs, and horses. There is literally a card for everyone's taste.

Types of Cards

Regular folding cards are quite beautiful and make good keepsakes, but consider sending a mechanical card to that special child or adult. Mechanical cards were first manufactured in the 19^th century and featured moving arms, legs, and heads or other items using pins or other attachment devices. Grandma's Attic sells several different types of Victorian-style Christmas cards. The mechanical cards are about 4-1/2 by 8-1/2 inches in size and cost about $2 each while regular fold cards are $14.95 per dozen.

3D cards were also popular during the Victorian period. This type of card "springs to life" when opened and can become part of the holiday display on a mantle, window sill, table, or desk. The Victorian Trading Company offers packs of 10 Christmas cards for less than $7.00. This site also carries antique reproductions of mechanical banks, jewelry, and other gifts. Shoppers should also check out Pumpkin Hill House (an Ebay store) which features both reproduction mechanical and pop-up Victorian Christmas cards.

Victorian Fan Cards

During the Victorian era, women often had an abundance of accessories. Their wardrobes included hats, muffs, scarves, cameos, handbags, and even fans. Nostalgic Paper Memories has several beautiful examples of folding Victorian-style Christmas fans (about $7.00 each). This online retailer also carries 3D pop-up cards.

The Art of Currier and Ives

Currier and Ives was a printmaking company in the 19^th century. These inexpensive hand-colored prints were sold mostly to the middle class in America. Each print is like a snapshot in time of life in the Victorian era. Reproductions of Currier and Ives can be found at the Cards Direct website. Shoppers can request samples and also receive estimates for cards. The cards can be imprinted with the names and address of the sender. Pricing starts at $62.00 for a pack of 25 cards. Larger orders are accepted. Currier and Ives Christmas cards can also be found at Paper Cards.com, another online vendor. Individual cards are about $2.00 each.

Cards and More

CafePress not only offers Victorian-style Christmas cards, they also offer Victorian motifs printed on cups, magnets, note cards, t-shirts, and other items. A pack of postcards can be purchased for less than $10.00, while regular fold Christmas cards are priced from $20.00 - $30.00 for a pack of ten. Individual cards are also available.

Original/Vintage Victorian Cards

Looking for authentic Victorian-style Christmas cards? Check out Victorian Cards website which features cards made from original Victorian postcards, not reproductions. This is the perfect type of card for anyone who collects antiques or Victorian items.

Cards and Customer Service

Many of the sites mentioned have 1-800 customer service numbers to assist buyers with card selection. A little research can yield a treasure that will be cherished for years to come. It's easy, just let your fingers do the walking and have a Merry Christmas!

Sources:

Grandma's Attic. 9 Nov. 2008. Grandma's Attic. http://www.grandmas-attic.com/christmas_cards.html.

Victorian Trading Company. 9 Nov. 2008. Victorian Trading Company. http://www.victoriantradingco.com/catindex/C9-26.html

Pumpkin Hill House. 9 Nov. 2008. Pumpkin Hill House. 9 Nov. 2008. http://stores.ebay.com/Pumpkin-Hill-House_W0QQfrsrcZ1QQfsubZ1897483QQtZkm

Nostalgic Paper Memories. 9 Nov. 2008. Nostalgic Paper Memories of PlannersGuide.com. http://www.plannersguide.com/Victorian_Christmas.htm

Cards Direct. 9 Nov. 2008. Cards Direct LLC. 9 Nov. 2008. http://www.cardsdirect.com/holiday/christmas/currier-ives-christmas-cards.aspx

Paper Cards.com. 9 Nov. 2008. Curiosities Greeting Cards. http://www.papercards.com/search-results.asp?afID=go83308118223920&bcID=2&cgID=126&kwd=victorian.

CafePress.com. 9 Nov. 2008. Scarebaby Design. http://www.cafepress.com/scarebaby/887990.

Victorian Cards. 9 Nov. 2008. Victorian Cards. http://www.victorian-cards.com/christmas-cards1.htm