by Digital Diva S.
Member since:
September 26, 2006

Antique Family Photo Christmas Cards

December 10, 2007 10:08 PM EST
views: 188 | comments: 107

Do you remember these? My mother took photos of us each year and made the photo into their Christmas card.

 

1946: I was around 14 months old in Schenectady, NY with my brother who is 5 years older than I.

 http://media-files.gather.com/images/d988/d502/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

1947: I was a bit over two. Notice my brother has a snow shovel and I get to use the coal shovel. Our home was heated by coal back then and in the summer we used coal to draw on the sidewalks.

 http://media-files.gather.com/images/d989/d502/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

1948: Here my brother and I are in the Southern Tier of New York standing in my grandparents yard. I was three. Notice the spiffy clothes we wore. 

 http://media-files.gather.com/images/d990/d502/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

 

1949: I was 4 and I do remember something about this sitting. My mother was the photographer. She did a good job. 

 http://media-files.gather.com/images/d991/d502/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

The photo cards stopped that year. The next year (1950) my sister was born. My mother's father passed on too - I imagine it was a busy and stressful time for my mother.

The cards I have, I will treasure. And if they are antique (and they are) then so am I.
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Comments: 107

Linda G. Dec 10, 2007, 10:13pm EST
What great family treasures. We lost most of the stuff from my childhood in a fire.
JoAnn C. Dec 10, 2007, 10:14pm EST
those are great cards. What a great family treasure.
Lori Cee Dec 10, 2007, 10:17pm EST
those are great! i luv the one with the 2 of you at the piano.
Ellie !. Dec 10, 2007, 10:17pm EST
Thanks for sharing! I think that, in 1948, your brother looks like he's dressed to be Peter Pan!
You must have gotten your photo/art talent from mom! My mother had too many kids too fast, and too much to do. She never did things like this. I also think money may have been a problem. My mother was and is a wonderful person. Kind, loving, gentle, patient. She is the nicest person I know. I'm glad you were blessed too.
Jerri H. Dec 10, 2007, 10:17pm EST
Wow....what a treasure these must be!!!
Jennifer S. Dec 10, 2007, 10:20pm EST
These are wonderful mementos! I especially like the one of the two of you at the piano.
Lance L. Dec 10, 2007, 10:21pm EST
I don't know if they are antiques, but they are keepsakes for sure. We used to have friends who would send us stuff like this at Christmas time. It was nice you could see the progress of the family and get one line updates on each of their lives.
Mariana T. Dec 10, 2007, 10:23pm EST
You can not imagine how much I love these cards Miz Marilyn - what a beautiful treasure you have here - I remember pictures of my brother who is two years older and me having our pictures taken together so many times - then number 3,4,5, and 6 came along and then well life changed...a different era in a family of two kids...I love these thanks very much for showing us at this special time of the year. Salud.
Rebekka S. Dec 10, 2007, 10:25pm EST
Those are awesome family treasures. My husband grew up in Schenectady :)
Marianne R. Dec 10, 2007, 10:26pm EST
I remember seeing cards like this, but not actually being in one. I'm of a younger generation.
JoAnne D. Dec 10, 2007, 10:27pm EST
Great treasures, that's for sure. At least you have these.
Thanks for your share and the views.
Wendy F. Dec 10, 2007, 10:27pm EST
How wonderful that you still have copies of these cards - I think I would make copies and send them out as a blast from the past . Webfetti.com
Angela <:3---}~~~~ M. Dec 10, 2007, 10:28pm EST
wow, those are awesome to have!she done such beautiful work
what a wonderful treasure!!
I've seen some but none were ever done after I was born.
I like the one at the piano best. Thanks for sharing these wonderful mementos.
Dorine H. Dec 10, 2007, 10:30pm EST
What a lovely idea your mother had! And you were such a little cutie!
ChrisJerri S. Dec 10, 2007, 10:33pm EST
These are so cool! I especially love the one at the piano. Also, these gave me an idea.
Larry H. Dec 10, 2007, 10:34pm EST
Thanks for sharing.
Chris H. Dec 10, 2007, 10:36pm EST
These are just great.
What nice memories!
Alainia~ Tha one n only~ a. Dec 10, 2007, 10:50pm EST
Those are so cool! What a unique item to have! They look like brand new.
Madame Donna C. Dec 10, 2007, 11:00pm EST
Marilyn, these are precious!
Miz Lynn aka/BooBoo Dec 10, 2007, 11:01pm EST
Hey, I've seen these types of cards. My folks didn't do any, but lots of the other relatives did...
Peter Wimsey Dec 10, 2007, 11:02pm EST
Marilyn, these cards are wonderful.

What a treasure.

Are you still close to your brother?

You were such bright, good-looking children.
August Lady Dec 10, 2007, 11:04pm EST
Marilyn, these are simply wonderful!! Antique, treasures, but, most importantly their yours-how lucky you are!!! Thanks for sharing them!
Charlotte K. Dec 10, 2007, 11:07pm EST
What a great treasure you have there. You will have something to pass down among generations, and they will also cherish them as much as you do!!
Anne G. Dec 10, 2007, 11:22pm EST
What wonderful cards and I am sure, priceless memories!! An awesome treasure!!!
Teresa W. Dec 10, 2007, 11:34pm EST
Those are wonderful and such special family memories! I don't believe my family ever did anything like that. I wish they had!!
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Connie C. Dec 11, 2007, 12:17am EST
What treasures you have there. They are wondeful.
Corina Carrasco Dec 11, 2007, 1:14am EST
What a neat thing to have. I don't think I've seen photo greeting cards from that era.
Shaunee C. Dec 11, 2007, 1:43am EST
Neat postcards and memories for you
Dee - Nature Babe! Dec 11, 2007, 1:52am EST
Great postcards! How great that you have them!
Sonia M. Dec 11, 2007, 2:38am EST
What a great memory to have!!! Loved them....
vickie f. Dec 11, 2007, 3:42am EST
Great memories to keep. I have a few as well they will probably out last me. LOL
Cassi J. Dec 11, 2007, 7:04am EST
You are right to treasure these, they are priceless :) Thanks for sharing!
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Dec 11, 2007, 7:49am EST
Those are so cool. You are really lucky to have them.
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Dec 11, 2007, 7:50am EST
I love the clothes and the last card is my favorite!
Phyllis R. Dec 11, 2007, 7:52am EST
This is just awesome, you are so fortunate to still have these Christmas cards.....you and you little brother were just precious,-- and I love the clothes
Digital Diva S. Dec 11, 2007, 9:04am EST
Thanks for all your comments.

These four are all I can find of our own family. There are lots from cousins and friend.

My brother, sister and I all remain good friends. I live the farthest away but get to visit several times a year while my sister and brother still live in upstate New York, but not in Schenectady anymore.

Thanks for asking.
Denise B. Dec 11, 2007, 9:20am EST
nice :)
Alta B. Dec 11, 2007, 10:30am EST
Wonderful pictures!
Sarah (I want points) Dec 11, 2007, 12:25pm EST
I'm too young for those, but they are cute!
Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. Dec 11, 2007, 12:41pm EST
This was fascinating Marilyn!!

I LOVE old photographs, and I am amazed that you still have these...and in such excellent shape too!

You're Featured in the Community Event Calendar! (gatherbuzz.gather.com) 
Cristina S. Dec 11, 2007, 12:45pm EST
What wonderful memories to have saved!
☃ Aunt Shanny Dec 11, 2007, 1:10pm EST
Wow! What a wonderful selection!
Tonia, who hugs trees G. Dec 11, 2007, 1:53pm EST
Those are wonderful keepsakes - neat to see the growth that happened during each year.
Nancy S. Dec 11, 2007, 3:07pm EST
Those are wonderful Marilyn. What a treasure.
Melinda ~choosing happiness~ S. Dec 11, 2007, 3:52pm EST
I do remember cards like those, Marilyn! I had forgotten them- thanks for the trip down memory lane! Your cards are treasures!
Debbie G. Dec 11, 2007, 4:24pm EST
Great photos/cards. Marilyn, age makes life richer. Don't you agree?
Wilma M. Dec 11, 2007, 6:19pm EST
What great pictures! You look like a little Pilgrim with the coal shovel!
Wilma M. Dec 11, 2007, 6:20pm EST
I was glad to get your comment and learn you are still adorable! As well as antique!
Curt L. Dec 11, 2007, 6:36pm EST
Lady Marilyn, This is an awesome post! Thank you so much!
Carrie O. Dec 11, 2007, 6:56pm EST
Beautiful! I love them! Thanks for sharing these Marilyn.
Joan O. Dec 11, 2007, 7:02pm EST
Those are great. Thanks for sharing.
Jaye S. Dec 11, 2007, 7:16pm EST
Those are great memories. They are very special. Thank you for sharing them.

You left a comment for me,
Now I'm leaving a comment for you
Because that is what I do.

Happy Holidays to you and your family!!
Have a wonderful day!!
necee t. Dec 11, 2007, 7:21pm EST
oh Marilyn... these Christmas cards are soooo precious...
God bless you and your family... thanks for sharing...

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Andy B. Dec 11, 2007, 8:16pm EST
nice collection Marilyn.
elizabeth e. Dec 11, 2007, 8:49pm EST
Oh my, these are just wonderful...you are really so very fortunate to have them.
Victoria H. Dec 11, 2007, 9:08pm EST
I think that's awesome, Marilyn. I include updated photos of my two kids in our Christmas cards every year. I should start doing what your mother did and actually making my own cards like these. What a wonderful keepsake to have! In past years we've always taken the kids to the studio and had their portraits done. This year, I took my own pictures of them and got prints made of them. Much cheaper, and honestly my photos turned out better than any studio I thought.

Thanks for posting this to "All Photo Essays Here".
Sassy Cat Dec 12, 2007, 12:56am EST
Wonderful family treasures! They are all great photos. You kids were very cute.
Heather C. Dec 12, 2007, 4:08am EST
These are absolutely treasures, as are you! Thanks ever so much for sharing!
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Dec 12, 2007, 8:47am EST
Your mom was a fantastic seamstress!
Jimmy _ Dec 12, 2007, 10:24am EST
Wonderful treasures! Your mother did a great job.
Kathy D. Dec 12, 2007, 11:34am EST
That is a wonderful, wonderful idea!
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Dec 12, 2007, 11:59am EST
I have some old post cards with pitures of down town Houston from the thirties and forties.
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Dec 12, 2007, 12:00pm EST
And I have some christmas cards from the sixties, but none with photographs.
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Dec 12, 2007, 12:00pm EST
Merry Christmas!
Kevin O. Dec 12, 2007, 1:26pm EST
Awesome! And how beautiful you are!
M.K. Mueller Dec 12, 2007, 4:30pm EST
That is really special to have!
Those are really beautiful and special!
Donna Besso Dec 12, 2007, 8:04pm EST
Those are such classics!! Brings back memories!
Deb D. Dec 12, 2007, 8:09pm EST
These are wonderful! It's fun to look back. What great memories!
Lisa M. Dec 13, 2007, 8:04pm EST
What priceless memories Marilyn - and they look in perfect shape :)
Laurun M. Dec 14, 2007, 1:11pm EST
You are not antique Marilyn. What great photos. Such great memories.
debra g. Dec 14, 2007, 1:45pm EST
Thoses are a great memory,and one to share with us,Thank you very much.
Merry Chirstmas!
Elizabeth Madrigal Dec 14, 2007, 2:18pm EST
Adorable... all of them!
Rose C. Dec 14, 2007, 5:41pm EST
I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!
No time to say hello, goodbye!
I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!
No, no, no,no, no, no, no, I'm overdue.
I'm reallyin a stew.
No time to say goodbye, hello!
I'm late, I'm late, I'm late
Elaine M. Dec 14, 2007, 10:13pm EST
I got cheated!!! She never did those cards after I came along--boohoo :-(
What treasures you have there, thanks for sharing with us.
What wonderful keepsakes Marilyn!
Our family never got into the photo xmas cards.
Sue M. Dec 16, 2007, 3:33pm EST
Oh my... what memories! I remember my parents sending out these type of photo cards of us children during the early 60's.
Laura H. Dec 16, 2007, 11:02pm EST
Absolutely a treasure.
Wonderful cards to cherish. You both were very cute. Thanks for sharing.
sheila h. Dec 17, 2007, 12:27pm EST
That is precious...what souther tier NY are you talking..like Corning area?
you and your siblings are adorable..
Bonnie S. Dec 17, 2007, 6:21pm EST
They are so cute, we never had anything like that.
Rose T. Dec 18, 2007, 3:44pm EST
What a neat treasure!

Thank you! 10********** Happy Holidays!

~ A prayer is said for you and yours~
~May your New Year have much in stored~
~May all good Health surround you too~
~May all God's Blessing pour down on you!~
~AMEN~


BLESSED be all soldiers who stand at the front doors of injustice,
Who lay down their lives for freedoms never questioning the judgments!
For the Lord is with them as they uphold the Laws, in God's mighty kingdom their lives are not lost!
carmel m. Dec 19, 2007, 4:23pm EST
Words can not describe how touching these photos are.
Rose C. Dec 19, 2007, 6:18pm EST
LOVE these!
Kimi L. Dec 20, 2007, 2:24pm EST
Beautiful photos. Older photos are so much fun to look at. They have that certain look about them, that is so interesting to me. Happy Holidays! :)
Janna O'Donnell Dec 22, 2007, 9:48pm EST
What a wonderful legacy. I love them.
These are neat!!!
Wish I had some from my family like these!!
Layla Morgan Wilde Dec 24, 2007, 4:08pm EST
Love these. I've never seen black and white cards before. Absolute treasures!
April H. Dec 28, 2007, 10:36am EST
I think it's great that you still have these wonderful reminders of your childhood!
Kimber L. Dec 31, 2007, 7:31am EST
Those are fantastic, what a memory!
Ylanne Sorrows Jan 1, 2008, 5:02pm EST
Excellent cards, Marilyn! These are truly treasures. Thank you so much for sharing. Happy New Year!
Erika S. Jan 2, 2008, 10:44pm EST
What sweet photos!
Paula C. Jan 4, 2008, 10:21pm EST
dropping by now and then
to see my dear friends again
and to leave a ten
Everywhere I've been!
Thanks for sharing
Margaret C. Jan 5, 2008, 10:23am EST
They are brilliant pal , you are not an antique , I am older lol , But I am only 18 in my head xx
Toni V. Jan 6, 2008, 10:20pm EST
What a great photo essay Marilyn!
David F. Jan 9, 2008, 9:24am EST
Those are wonderful. It would be fun to reproduce some of those and do some "retro" cards to send out.
Linda K. Jan 12, 2008, 2:59am EST
I love those ... and they are NOT antiques! We send out photo Christmas cards every year and get loads of them in return. I consider photo cards one of the greatest gifts and pleasures of the season!