Between a picture of Beyoncé in holiday garb and The Rock wearing an elf hat, celebrity holiday cards spark the same kind of excitement as spotting an A-lister at the grocery store. Except this time, someone who knows your preferences has mailed a piece of that star-studded life straight to your mailbox (the physical kind)!
Celebrity holiday cards are not a novelty, but people go crazy over them every year. After all, who wouldn’t want to see their favorite celebs dolled up in seasonal cheer, wishing them ‘Happy Holidays’ like they’re part of their inner circle?
So, let’s dive into why we can’t get enough of these glossy greetings and how they became the hottest must-haves to deck your halls!
What is a Celebrity Holiday Card?
A celebrity holiday card is a regular holiday card that features a celebrity or famous family. So, instead of sending out a holiday-themed card (featuring Santa or a beautifully decorated tree), you’ll be sending a card that features a professional picture of your (or the receiver’s) favorite famous person.
The appeal is somewhat similar to the curiosity we feel toward celebrity weddings. You want to see the pictures, check out the wedding dress and other fancy outfits, but most importantly, you want a peek into their personal life.
These cards often include a photo or illustration, along with a message wishing recipients joy and happiness. Just like famous weddings, these cards serve as a peek into the celebrity’s personal life since they are often surrounded by their significant other and children (if that’s the case).
For fans, this can be a great way to connect with their favorite celebrity figures. Also, some cards may become collectibles in the future, especially if they are in physical format and properly maintained.
Some celebrities also launch digital cards, but nowadays, anyone can make personalized eCards, so the appeal is not as high for fans.
The History of Celebrity Holiday Cards
The history of these festive tokens spans back to the mid-20th century when they first appeared as status symbols among Hollywood elites.
Now, the idea didn’t just pop up out of nowhere, it was actually inspired by something that started way back in 1840s England.
Were you aware that holiday cards have been around since Queen Victoria was on the throne? Yep, two guys, Sir Henry Cole, and his buddy John Horsley, decided to spice up the holidays by selling the first-ever Christmas card.
Early celeb holiday cards provided an exclusive peek behind the velvet curtain into stars’ lives. Considering that we’re talking about a time when private celebrity details were not at our fingertips, it’s easy to understand people’s fascination with them.
Jumping ahead to the ’60s and ’70s, those neat little cards became golden tickets for fans starving for authentic connections with their idols. Compared to today’s social media exposure, when stars can pop up on the screen of your phone at any time, the holiday cards seem outdated and less important.
And yet, the tradition is still going on, with celebrities from various fields wishing their fans and everyone else happy holidays.
5 Examples of Famous Celebrity Holiday Cards
While many well-known celebrities release special holiday cards, the majority of people care about the megastars and other notable figures. For instance, did you know that the British Royal Family has released a card every year since the 1950s? Or that The Kardashians have a similar tradition?
While we won’t talk about all celebrities who enjoy sending out greetings to their fans in the form of a card, here are five notable examples spanning different eras that made a memorable impact:
1. The Royal Family (1950s – Present)
As we already mentioned, the British Royal Family has been distributing annual Christmas greetings for decades, setting the tone for formality and elegance in holiday cards.
Famed for their poised and polished portraits, these cards often featured Queen Elizabeth II along with her family in various regal settings. More than just seasonal correspondence, every card served to reinforce the image of the monarchy’s stability and continued relevance.
2. John Lennon and Yoko Ono (1970s)
In 1971, John Lennon and Yoko Ono created a powerful holiday message with their “War is Over! (If You Want It)” campaign.
The couple used billboards across major cities worldwide during the festive season to promote peace amidst the Vietnam War. This potent mix of activism with a holiday theme was emblematic of their union and influential societal message.
3. The Kardashians (1980s – Present)
You’d have to be living under a rock, buried deep inside a cave, atop the tallest mountain not to know who The Kardashians are. Like them or not, they are everywhere, and this speaks volumes about their marketing campaigns.
So, it’s no surprise that the Kardashian clan became known for their lavish annual Christmas cards that typically showcase the extensive family in coordinated outfits against opulent backdrops.
More than just a card, each year’s edition draws significant media coverage as it encapsulates evolving fashion trends and changing family dynamics, cementing them as celebrities who mastered personal branding through these yearly releases.
4. Barack Obama (2008 – 2016)
During his presidency, Barack Obama released annual holiday cards that were known for understated elegance and inclusivity.
These cards often featured winter scenes or motifs from inside the White House, highlighting American landscapes or symbols without overt religious imagery, balancing respect for diverse faiths while conveying warmth and unity from the nation’s First Family.
5. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi (2010s)
While Ellen has become somewhat of a controversial character in recent years, she is still one of the most famous openly gay talk show hosts in the industry.
Together with her wife, former actress Portia de Rossi, Ellen launched several holiday cards that feature humorous takes on holiday traditions. For instance, one memorable card spoofed the famous Kim Kardashian “Break the Internet” cover for Paper Magazine. By blending humor with holiday cheer, Ellen and Portia managed to create a series of light-hearted and eagerly anticipated cards.
In Summary
Celeb holiday cards are an old tradition that goes beyond mere seasonal greetings. Whether it’s reinforcing public images, delivering powerful societal messages, reflecting on current cultural moments, or simply sharing a laugh, these festive missives serve as both end-of-year roundups and projections of future intent for various public figures’ personal brands.
