Season’s Greetings: Holiday Cards from the Collection of the Canadian Museum of History

Éliane Laberge December 21, 2016

Canadians of all cultural backgrounds celebrate in a variety of ways at this time of year. One thing, however, remains universal: the expression and exchange of warm wishes in the form of holiday greetings. Traditionally, it was common practice to mail seasonal cards to family and friends in December and January. Today, with technological advances and a plethora of digital options, many people opt instead for the electronic version.

Card designs can vary significantly from one culture to the next. Over time, the Canadian Museum of History has acquired a number of Christmas and New Year’s greeting cards from different parts of the world. In a nod to this once-popular tradition, we have compiled a sample of old-school greeting cards to inspire nostalgia and help spread holiday cheer.

: Postcard made in France that reads “BONNE ANNÉE/Suzy 623” [HAPPY NEW YEAR/Suzy 623]. Canadian Museum of History, 2003.75.17

: Postcard made in Montréal, Quebec that reads “Bonne Année/511” [Happy New Year/511]. Canadian Museum of History, 2003.75.150

: Postcard made in New York that reads “MAY THE SEASON’S PLEASURES BE YOURS.” Canadian Museum of History, 2003.75.27

: Greeting card made in China that reads “HAPPY NEW YEAR.” Canadian Museum of History, 2005.17.1

: Card made in Vietnam that reads “BAI TU LONG V.N” on the front, with the inside message, “Season’s greetings, Go wish your Family every happiness new year. God bless.” Canadian Museum of History, 84-441

: Christmas card that reads “A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR” on the front and “WITH MANY MERRY CHRISTMAS GREETINGS” on the back. Canadian Museum of History, A-4117

: Christmas card made in Toronto that reads “Christmas Greetings!” on the front, with the inside message “May Christmas be/A merry day…/May the year be bright/In every way!” Canadian Museum of History, 2008.58.19

: Christmas card made in Toronto that reads “Merry Christmas! HAPPY NEW YEAR!” on the front, with the inside message, “A hearty Christmas greeting,/With all good wishes too,/For just the very happiest/Of Holidays to you!” Canadian Museum of History, 2008.58.20

: Christmas card made in Edmonton, Alberta that reads “MERRY CHRISTMAS” on the front, with the inside message “HAPPY NEW YEAR/Marvel Murphy/12527-89 St. Edmonton, Alta.” Canadian Museum of History, 2008.58.22

: Christmas card made in Canada that reads “STRIKE UP THE BAND for a Merry Christmas,” with the inside message “May it be a BIGGER and BETTER CHRISTMAS than ever before.” Canadian Museum of History, 2008.58.24.2

: New Year’s card made in Canada that reads “Happy New Year” on the front, with the inside message “May the old year end/And the new year start/With joy and gladness/In your heart/May the greatest joys/You’ve had before/Be multiplied/By many more!” Canadian Museum of History, 2008.58.28.2

: New Year’s card made in Toronto that reads “RINGING IN Best Wishes for the New Year” on the front, with the inside message “When the bells/and the whistles/Ring out with good cheer/And the sirens announce/That the New Year/is here…/May they “ring in”/for you/Lots of joy and success,/Accomplishment, friendship,/And real happiness!” Canadian Museum of History, 2008.58.31

: Christmas card from Canada with the inside message “Wishing you a real Old Fashioned MERRY CHRISTMAS and a NEW YEAR of happiness.” Canadian Museum of History, 2008.58.25.2

: Greeting card of Haitian origin that reads “Des jours de joie et de Bonheur sont mes souhaits pour un Joyeux Noël,/Donbhalah-la-Flambeau, Diaspo-Art” on the front [Days of joy and happiness are my wishes for a Merry Christmas/Donbhalah-la-Flambeau, Diaspo-Art]. Canadian Museum of History, 85-136

: Greeting card of Haitian origin that reads “Que Noël soit l’annonce d’un bonheur grandissant/Dan-Bha-Lah-La Flambo” on the front [With wishes for a Christmas that brings you great happiness/Dan-Bha-Lah-La Flambo]. Canadian Museum of History, 85-137

: Christmas card made in Newfoundland and Labrador that reads “THE STAR/Adapted from a drawing by Eva Lauk/Sold for the benefit of the Grenfell Labrador Medical Mission work in Northern Newfoundland and Labrador” on the back. Canadian Museum of History, 2013.50.87

: Christmas card made in Newfoundland and Labrador. Canadian Museum of History, 2013.50.88