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Free Vintage Santa Graphics

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By WordPlay


What kid doesn't love Santa Claus? In his purest form he represents hope, fun, joy and the excitement of being showered with gifts. These vintage Santa graphics capture those magical qualities of Santa in quite different ways, depending on the era. Father Christmas, as he used to be called before he became the Santa we know today, represents an old fashioned Christmas. He was usually portrayed as not quite as jolly as more modern versions. In fact, in some old fashioned graphics, Santa looks downright sad and tired. But children loved him just the same.

As the years progressed, Santa got a bit of a face lift. He smiled more and was absolutely beaming by the time the sixties arrived. Not to be cynical, but that's probably because advertisers found that jolly, smiling Santas sell products. But society -- specifically children -- aren't any worse for having Santa graphics become jollier. In a world that's often fraught with tension, a smiling Santa is and always will be welcome.

The vintage Santa graphics below span quite a few decades. It's easy to recognize the older, old fashioned Santas by their darker colors and more serious tone. And the images from the sixties scream retro, especially the one that portrays Santa with the antennas on the rooftop. Children today probably don't even know what antennas are, but when I was growing up, they often had Christmas lights hanging from them during the holiday season. I remember asking my mom if our antenna would get in the way of Santa landing his sleigh.It obviously didn't, because I managed to get many nice Christmas presents over the years.


Vintage Santa Graphics

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Santa Claus and toys Christmas clipart graphics
Santa Claus and toys Christmas clipart graphics

Instructions for Downloading the Vintage Santa Graphics

Choose a small version of any of the vintage Santa graphics above the large image to the right. When you click on one of the images, it will appear larger. If it looks blurry, don't worry. Follow the instructions below to correct that.

IMPORTANT: Once you've chosen an image and see it larger, double-click on the larger image, which will make the best version of the art appear. Sorry for the extra step, but this will give you the highest quality art.

Then, if you have a PC, just right-click and save the final version of the artwork to your hard drive.

Note to Internet Explorer users: You may have to click one more time after following the instructions above. (In other words, click on the image that comes up after clicking on the large image.) For some reason IE makes those images look a little shaky. But clicking that final time will bring you to the good stuff. Sorry about this! When the instructions are followed using Firefox, which is the browser I use, the images look great.



Vintage Santa and Christmas Images

Christmas Postcards: Victorian Designs Christmas Postcards: Victorian Designs
Price: $5.78
List Price: $9.00
Old-Fashioned Christmas Postcards: 24 Postcards Old-Fashioned Christmas Postcards: 24 Postcards
Price: $3.60
List Price: $6.95
Old-Fashioned Santa Claus Cards: 24 Cards Old-Fashioned Santa Claus Cards: 24 Cards
Price: $3.66
List Price: $6.95
Full-Color Decorative Christmas Illustrations CD-ROM and Book (Dover Full-Color Electronic Design) Full-Color Decorative Christmas Illustrations CD-ROM and Book (Dover Full-Color Electronic Design)
Price: $11.94
List Price: $22.95

Santa Poll

How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa Claus?

  • I never believed in Santa
  • 6 or younger
  • 7-9
  • 10-12
  • I still believe!
See results without voting

More Hubs by WordPlay

Christmas in the News

  • Christmas Trees Axed From Copenhagen ConferenceFox News15 hours ago

    Participants at Copenhagen's global climate summit will be meeting during the holiday season, but they will not be surrounded by festive Christmas decor, according to Denmark's Foreign Ministry.

  • Open jail to close for ChristmasBBC News20 hours ago

    Noranside open prison is to close for Christmas while prisoners go home on leave, the Scottish Prison Service confirms.

  • German Christmas Sales Picking Up, HDE Retailers Group SaysBloomberg19 hours ago

    Christmas sales will probably accelerate further in the coming weeks, HDE spokesman Hubertus Pellengahr said in an e- mailed statement today. A court ruling limiting Sunday shopping before Christmas hasn’t discouraged consumers from going to the stores, he said.

  • Ind. Man Caught On Bike With Stolen Christmas TreeCBS News20 hours ago

    Police: Indiana Man Caught Riding Bike While Balancing Stolen Christmas Tree Across Handlebars

  • Play pays Christmas more than lip serviceThe Record and Herald News15 hours ago

    World War I "Christmas Truce" is subject of new play

  • Christmas: Be of good cheer – if you can afford the pricesGuardian Unlimited14 hours ago

    • Families complain at cost of Christmas attractions • Venues offer discounts as public vote with their feet Chill air heady with glühwein and lights warming a night sky, London's Winter Wonderland heralds Christmas from a corner of Hyde Park. But what price good cheer? "We're looking at all the rides first to make sure we choose the right one," said Rupert Campbell, visiting with his wife and ...

  • Ind. man caught on bike with stolen Christmas treeBoston Globe18 hours ago

    Authorities said they caught an Indiana man riding a bike while balancing a stolen Christmas tree across the handlebars. Police in Portage said they spotted 48-year-old Phillip Menefee about 1 a.m. Friday riding the bike equipped with a homemade motor but no lights. Police had been investigating motor noise near a Christmas tree lot.

  • Dan Warner: Here's some naughty, nice, and fun ideas for ChristmasThe News-Press12 hours ago

    Last week, I offered some advice for having a stellar Christmas.

Comments

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Bob Ewing profile image

Bob Ewing  says:
13 months ago

I like the vintage Santa, thanks.

WordPlay profile image

WordPlay  says:
13 months ago

Thanks, Bob!

jvandewalker profile image

jvandewalker  says:
13 months ago

Awesome page. Thankyou MEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRYYYY CHRISTMAS!!

WordPlay profile image

WordPlay  says:
13 months ago

Thanks, jvendewalker! Merry Christmas to you too. :-)

C.S.Alexis profile image

C.S.Alexis  says:
13 months ago

Love The Vintage Santas. Cute! C.S.

WordPlay profile image

WordPlay  says:
13 months ago

Thanks, C.S.!

Mihaela B.  says:
13 months ago

Thanks. For this beautiful dreams corner.

Greetings from Romania!

WordPlay profile image

WordPlay  says:
13 months ago

Hello, Mihala from Romania! Thanks for visiting. :-)

Eileen  says:
13 months ago

Just what I was looking for to embelish homemade ornaments. Thanks, just the ticket.

WordPlay profile image

WordPlay  says:
13 months ago

Great, Eileen! I'm always happy to know how people use the images.

wannabwestern profile image

wannabwestern  says:
13 months ago

I like the Santa at the window and the one on the chimney with the TV antenna.

WordPlay profile image

WordPlay  says:
13 months ago

Me too, wannabwestern. It definitely brings back memories of the antennas we used to have on our roof when I was growing up.

TKIMWRSVC profile image

TKIMWRSVC  says:
13 months ago

Awesome. any tips to find the more rustic, european look Santa images. I would appreciate thosee. Again thanks.

WordPlay profile image

WordPlay  says:
13 months ago

Try http://VintageHolidayCrafts.com (my blog). There are a variety of Santa images there. :-)

Prosperity66  says:
12 months ago

Awesome hub!

diggersstory profile image

diggersstory  says:
12 months ago

I love your hubs. :)

WordPlay profile image

WordPlay  says:
12 months ago

Thanks, Prosperity66 and diggersstory! :-)

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