The best festive cards for Christmas 2023 by independent artists and designers

Where does the time go? One minute, you’re planning new year goals; the next, you’re wrapping up any work before Christmas and preparing your annual greeting card list. And this is precisely where we find ourselves at Creative Boom this year. But it’s still not too late to spread some festive joy whilst showing your support to small businesses – there is plenty of time to purchase Christmas cards from independent artists and designers.

Every year, we love to pick out a selection of unique festive cards so you not only send a gorgeous bit of mail to a happy client, friend or family member but also recognise that independent businesses need our cash, particularly after a really tough year.

But hurry, there are only 29 days until Christmas Day, and the last posting dates by Royal Mail are Monday 18 December for 2nd Class or Wednesday 20 December for 1st Class. With not a moment to lose, here are this year’s recommended festive cards for Yuletide 2023 by independent artists and designers.

Are you ready to write your holiday wishes to your favourite people? That’s the happy question posed by Yuk Fun, the Portslade-by-Sea design duo of Lucy Cheung and Patrick Gildersleeves. Together, they have created this seriously appealing collection of Christmas cards with a red and blue colour scheme, featuring many festive scenes such as a cute blue cat in a Christmas stocking or a reindeer rider and their friend the robin. Grab them whilst you can!

Known for his vibrant flower-powered works, Micke Lindebergh is an artist who loves to embrace colour. Working with acrylics, high-pigment Posca pens and Riso printing techniques, the Sydney-based illustrator creates playful, bloom-filled compositions full of movement and joy. And his series of Christmas cards feature simple festive messages against a backdrop of happy colours. We love this particular one and wish for a White Christmas.

Cari Vander Yacht is an award-winning illustrator, animator, and Oregonian based in Brooklyn, New York. And for the last few years, alongside working with the likes of Nike, Etsy and Google, she’s been releasing a series of festive cards. We love this option; it dreams up those magical winter evenings, out in the cold grabbing last-minute gifts and happily coming across a brass band playing classic festive tunes to help get you in the mood for Christmas.

A Manchester-based surface pattern designer and illustrator Gail Myerscough takes her inspiration from mid-century design, the colours and patterns of the 1960s and post-war modernist architecture. As a result, her annual series of festive cards is perfect for anyone who loves the same aesthetics. Grab a set of four Christmas card designs if you love all things retro. We especially love the Deck The Halls design, featuring a classic record player.

For a little titillation, this card design by Shropshire illustrator Jasmine Floyd will not disappoint. Playing on a festive culinary favourite, set in her usual vibrant, psychedelic style, her cheerful character, with white hair and rosy cheeks, is baring all this Christmas. We love the coloured lights wrapped around her shoulders. And the Christmas pudding nipple tassels? Delightful. It’s a great option for the wilder acquaintances out there.

Not everyone wants to eat meat, so this cute card design by Isabella Croker could be just the ticket. The Manchester-based illustrator and designer has given us a sweet take on Pigs in Blankets, with adorable little pigs literally wrapped up, cosy and warm.

7. Xmas Walk by Tomekah George

Based in the UK, artist Tomekah George creates bold illustrations with a tactile feel, and her work features across digital, packaging, children’s books and animations. For 2023, she has released a charming collection of festive cards, including this lovely wintry scene of a happy couple walking their dog in the snow.

Yaya Studio is the Yorkshire-based design studio of illustrator and textile designer Ayesha Corcoran. Using acrylic to paint her bold and colourful artwork, she lets her bright and playful personality shine through. And her festive card, Head Band Christmas, is so typical of her style – fun, vibrant and definitely the right choice for those glamour queens in your life.

There’s an innocent and endearing charm to [Celine Ka Wing Lau]’s adorable artworks (https://celinelkw.com/). A London-based illustrator from Hong Kong who studied at UAL’s Camberwell College of Arts, she loves to draw bold, colourful images and witty characters – just like these humorous festive ornaments adorning her latest card design.

Keeping things super sweet and simple with her festive design this year is Megan Du, a China-born, London-based illustrator inspired by “vintage paper, daily fantasies, and retro-futurism”. The card features her usual bold and vibrant style, vintage graininess, and interesting character features. It’s perfect for those who love a dose of happy nostalgia at this special time of year.

Could there be anything more poignant than a wish for peace this Christmas? Sheffield-based illustrator Lisa Maltby puts this important message front and centre with her series of Christmas cards this year. Featuring the word ‘peace’ in beautiful lettering, surrounded by gorgeous flowers and flying white doves – a symbol of peace, freedom, and love – it hits just the right note for 2023. There is further meaning behind each card sold, as one hundred per cent of the profits will go to UNICEF to protect children caught up in the Israel–Hamas conflict.

Eat Well MCR operates across Greater Manchester, partnering with organisations supporting impoverished people to deliver up to 1,000 meals every week. It supports families living in temporary accommodation, women taking refuge in sheltered accommodation, food banks looking after families and single parents in dire straits, and schools whose families are experiencing food poverty and inequality. It’s a wonderful cause you can support if you purchase its Christmas cards this year. The pack features designs from six of Manchester’s finest illustrators, including Stanley Chow, Maisy Summer, The Hare and The Bear, David Bailey, Guy McKinley, and Jane Bowyer.

Know someone who’s the first up to dance at any event or simply loves to boogie in the kitchen? Their ideal festive card is {Disco Santa by Hsinping Pan. An animator and illustrator from Taiwan, Hsinping received her master’s degree in Animation and Digital Arts at the University of Southern California. She has since won many awards and worked with brands including Nickelodeon, Disney, and Cartoon Network. We love her playful art, vibrant colour palettes, and charming characters.

This colourful, mini Christmas card may be small but is full of mid-century modern, retro festive vibes. Created by designer and illustrator Victoria Oatway of Bobbie Print and Risograph-printed, the little Christmas tree is highlighted by bright pink and metallic gold inks in a vintage style with a modern, Scandi twist. It’s a fun and modern card design with just a hint of nostalgic festive cheer. And each card comes complete with a contrasting envelope. Nicely done.

Originally from Mexico and now based in south London, illustrator and animator Elena Boils uses a combination of handmade brushwork and digital image-making to create her gorgeous compositions. Everyday objects and spaces inform her work, and Elena also looks to films for inspiration, owning an ever-growing folder of film still screenshots that she uses for reference. We love this card design for Christmas that feels warm and nostalgic, sparking many happy memories.