Free Vintage Santa Claus Christmas Ephemera Printables: Antique Postcard Journal Cards
Inside This Post:
Download two free printable vintage Christmas ephemera sheets featuring Santa Claus postcards from the early 1900s
Includes one sheet of 2.5” x 4.25” journal cards and one sheet of 3.5” x 2” journal cards
Perfect for junk journaling, handmade holiday cards, scrapbooks, and festive gift tags
Features classic images of Santa delivering gifts, carrying toys, and even one whimsical postcard of Santa napping on a park bench
Authentic antique Christmas imagery for vintage-inspired crafting projects
Step Into the Magic of Vintage Santa Postcards
One of the things I love most about sharing free printables is the way they connect us to history through art. Today’s collection comes straight from the early 1900s, when postcard exchanges were at their peak. At that time, sending a Christmas postcard was as common as texting a holiday greeting today. Families looked forward to receiving these cards, which were often illustrated with festive and sometimes humorous depictions of Santa Claus.
The two free printable ephemera sheets I’m giving away on this page are made up of scanned and restored vintage postcards, each one showing Santa in a different moment of his holiday duties. Most depict him carrying toys, delivering gifts, or making his rounds on Christmas Eve. But there’s also a wonderfully funny one of Santa taking a break on a park bench, proving that even St. Nick needs to rest after a long night’s work.
About the Free Vintage Christmas Printables
To make these images easy to use in your holiday crafting, I’ve formatted them into two collage sheets:
One sheet of 2.5” x 4.25” journal cards – a great size for journal pockets, tuck spots, or Christmas greeting cards.
One sheet of 3.5” x 2” journal cards – perfect for ATC-style inserts, layering in collages, or using as festive gift tags.
Both sheets print beautifully on standard 8.5” x 11” paper, and you can scale them down if you want smaller embellishments.
Why Santa Imagery Has Enduring Appeal
There’s something timeless about Santa Claus as a holiday figure. In early 20th-century postcards, he wasn’t just shown with reindeer or chimneys. Instead, artists imagined him bustling through city streets, hauling heavy sacks of toys, and occasionally stopping for a moment of rest. These images made Santa feel approachable, less like a mythical figure and more like a hardworking, kindly old man dedicated to bringing joy.
For today’s crafter, this imagery offers endless inspiration for vintage holiday projects. Adding one of these illustrations to a junk journal spread instantly sets the tone with old-fashioned warmth. Using them on handmade Christmas cards creates a personal touch that modern store-bought cards can’t replicate. And because they were originally designed as postcards, they carry a built-in authenticity that shines through in creative projects.
2.5” x 4.25” Journal Cards
Ideas for Using These Free Printable Christmas Ephemera
If you’re wondering how to make the most of these Santa-themed collage sheets, here are some fun project ideas:
Junk Journals: Slip a card into a pocket or use it as a journaling spot to capture holiday memories.
Handmade Greeting Cards: Layer one of the 2.5” x 4.25” prints onto kraft paper, add ribbon, and you’ve got a ready-to-send vintage Christmas card.
Gift Tags: The 3.5” x 2” prints can be punched at the corner, threaded with twine, and tied onto presents.
Ornaments: Print the images on heavy cardstock, cut them out, and add a backing to turn them into hanging decorations.
Scrapbook Pages: Use them as focal points on holiday layouts to highlight family traditions.
The whimsical postcard of Santa napping is especially fun for playful projects. I can imagine it being used as a tag on a gift of cozy pajamas or hot cocoa mix.
A Glimpse Into Christmases of the Past
What fascinates me most about these early postcard illustrations is how much they tell us about the values of the time. Unlike today’s slick commercial holiday ads, these designs focused on warmth, generosity, and humor. Santa was often shown with everyday people or in relatable situations, reminding recipients that Christmas was about connection as much as celebration.
That’s why using these images in your creative projects adds more than just a festive touch. It infuses your work with the nostalgia and storytelling power of authentic antique Christmas ephemera.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I resize these images for smaller crafts?
Yes! You can print them at a reduced scale if you’d like mini embellishments for tags, ornaments, or layered collage work.
What kind of paper should I use for best results?
Print on matte cardstock for sturdy journal cards, gift tags, and ornaments. Use lightweight copy paper for easier layering in collages.
Can I sell items I make with these printables?
Yes, you’re welcome to use them in your handmade creations for sale, as long as you don’t resell the digital sheets themselves or printouts of them “as-is.”.
More Free Vintage Christmas Printables You’ll Love
If you enjoyed these Santa postcard ephemera sheets, you might also like:
Vintage Christmas Ephemera – a set featuring labels and journal cards with festive illustrations.
Snowflake Photos – unique vintage snow crystal photography for wintry crafting.
Vintage Christmas Ephemera Printables – additional Santa and seasonal designs.
Christmas Photo Ephemera – authentic antique photographs turned into collage sheets.
Each of these sets brings something a little different, whether it’s whimsical Santa artwork or natural winter details, so you can mix and match for varied Christmas projects.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason why early 1900s Christmas postcards still feel so magical. They remind us of a time when holiday greetings were personal, heartfelt, and filled with storytelling. These free vintage Santa printables carry that same charm, whether you’re adding them to a journal, turning them into tags, or simply printing them out to enjoy as holiday décor.
I had so much fun putting together these collage sheets, especially with the mix of traditional Santa imagery and the humorous “Santa taking a nap” postcard. I hope they bring you as much joy in your crafting as they brought me while curating them.
3.5” x 2” Inch Journal Cards
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.
