Free Old-Fashioned Christmas Ephemera: Vintage Holiday Cards & Gift Tags
Free Printable Old-Fashioned Christmas Ephemera Sheets
Quick Summary:
Free vintage Christmas ephemera printables (journal cards + gift tags)
Authentic late 1800s–early 1900s holiday artwork
Perfect for junk journals, scrapbooks, handmade cards, and gift wrapping
Includes nostalgic Victorian and Edwardian imagery
Printable at home. Works well on standard printer paper or cardstock for durability
There’s something about vintage Christmas imagery that feels instantly comforting, like stepping back into a world of snow-dusted windowpanes, glowing lamplight, and handwritten holiday greetings. That’s exactly the feeling these free Old-Fashioned Christmas ephemera sheets are meant to bring into your journaling, scrapbooking, and handmade projects.
The illustrations come straight from authentic late 1800s and early 1900s holiday ephemera like postcards, magazine clippings, and cards that families would have exchanged during the season. I’ve gathered and formatted them into two printable collage sheets for you: one filled with 2.5” × 3.5” ATC-sized images, and another designed as holiday gift tags.
Why You’ll Love These Printables
Instead of buying modernized reproductions, you’ll have access to artwork that carries its original patina and charm. The colors are a little softer, the printing style distinctively old-world, and the designs instantly nostalgic. When you use them in your crafts, you’re not just decorating, you’re carrying a piece of history into your creative projects.
Here are a few favorite ways to make use of them:
Slip the journal cards into junk journals or December Daily albums as cozy little story starters.
Add them to handmade holiday cards for a vintage twist that stands out from store-bought.
Cut and punch the tags to dress up wrapped gifts.
Layer them in mixed media spreads with pine branches, metallic paint, or pressed paper textures.
Think of them as little sparks of Victorian and Edwardian Christmas spirit, perfect for bringing warmth to your crafts.
2.5” x 3.5” ATCs
Frequently Asked Questions About the Christmas Ephemera
Are these images really vintage?
Yes! Every illustration is scanned from authentic Victorian or Edwardian-era holiday ephemera.
What sizes will I get?
The set includes one sheet of 2.5” × 3.5” ATC-sized cards and one sheet of gift tags.
Do I need special paper?
Not at all, though cardstock gives them a sturdy feel.
Can I sell crafts made with these?
Yes—you’re welcome to use them in your handmade, physical creations. Please, just don’t resell the digital files or printouts of them “as-is.”.
More Free Printables for a Vintage Holiday
If you love these old-fashioned designs, you might enjoy exploring a few other free Christmas printables here on The Art Scavenger:
More Vintage Christmas Printables You Might Enjoy
If you love these Old-Fashioned Christmas ephemera sheets, here are more delightful holiday-themed printables from The Art Scavenger:
Vintage Christmas Ephemera Printables Set 1 - A collection of early 20th-century holiday imagery reformatted into ATCs and classic circle gift tags.
Vintage Christmas Ephemera Printables Set 2 - A charming set featuring journal cards and festive labels with Victorian holiday scenes.
Snowflake Photographs - Authentic photographs of snowflakes captured by the pioneering photographer Wilson Bentley, ideal for adding delicate winter detail to collages and journals.
Christmas Photo Ephemera - Real postcard photographs of Victorian and Edwardian children enjoying the holidays—perfect for scrapbook layouts or quaint journal accents.
Final Thoughts
These Old-Fashioned Christmas ephemera sheets are my little gift to you this season. They’re simple to download and print, but what they really carry is a piece of history, the kind that makes your holiday crafts feel personal, nostalgic, and timeless. Whether you’re creating journals, wrapping gifts, or designing festive cards, these illustrations invite you to slow down, savor the season, and enjoy a touch of old-world Christmas magic.
Gift Tags
Love These Printables? Support The Art Scavenger!
I love sharing free vintage printables, and if you enjoy them, there are easy ways to support my work so I can continue creating and offering more free designs:
You may also enjoy these free collage sheets.
Terms of use:
Free to use for personal or commercial projects. You may print the collage sheets as many times as you wish for your personal crafts or in your projects to sell, including: art journals, scrapbooks, junk journals, collage art, etc. You may not redistribute or sell the collage sheets “as is" in either print or digital form.
If you wish to share the files on your own website, please do not make the files available for download directly from your site. Instead, include an image with a link back to this site.
To the best of my knowledge, these are all royalty free images that are in the Public Domain in the US. However, you should always do your own research if you plan to use them commercially.
