If you're like me you haven't sent your holiday cards yet, or even ordered them. If that's the case, you're in luck because you can still order them from The Retro Christmas Card Company, which has loads of mid-century and vintage inspired holiday cards.
This time on Vintage Views, we talk to Diane Dempsey, Art Director at The Retro Christmas Card Company.
How did The Retro Christmas Card Company get started?
I am a graphic designer and illustrator by profession and I've been a freelance artist for over 20 years. My specialty has always been historical events – promotions for museums, etc. – so I's well versed in creating period perfect graphics and illustrations.
Originally Retro Christmas Card Company was named WhatsBuzzin.com (crazy name, I know) and we made an array of printed items: posters, birthday cards, wrapping paper and the like. After a few years, we realized that the most interest was in our retro Christmas cards, so we focused on developing that line. This year we dropped WhatsBuzzin and adopted our old tagline as our new company name.
What was the inspiration behind Retro Christmas Card Company?
I have always had a love of vintage memorabilia, especially Christmas. I have saved ornaments from my childhood, along with vintage toys and snapshots. The holidays are an especially nostalgia fueled time of the year and I felt a line of cards that make people think "Hey, I remember that" would make for a natural solution to a one-of-a-kind Christmas card collection.
Why did you decide to focus on mid-century designs?
Mid-century was my favorite well before it became the catch phrase of today. I was born in 1960, so I lived through part of the mid-century. It is easy to design within an aesthetic that I'm so familiar with.
Do you add new designs every year?
Yes. We try to do as many as nine new cards a year.
What are your best selling cards?
It varies each year. The past two years it has been the MCM houses. But most of the images qualify as mid-century, so the collection as a whole is building in popularity.
Do you have a personal favorite?
I have to say my personal favs are the illustrated ones - they are a tribute to the commercial artists of the 1950s and 1960s.
Any plans to move beyond X-mas cards? Maybe house warming invites?
I have a line of all occasion cards, invitations, posters and gifts on my other store Retro Gift Ideas and I design wedding invitations and shower invitations for the very vintage bride and groom at Vintage Wedding Invitation.
If you're in need of some last minute holiday cards, or are so prepared that you're already thinking about next year's card, head over to The Retro Christmas Card Company.
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