The Big 2025 Holiday Card Trends You’ll See Everywhere This Year
By Josef Dean
Holiday cards remain one of the simplest yet most meaningful ways to stay connected, and VistaPrint makes it easier than ever to create ones that feel personal and unforgettable. They bring warmth you can hold, a sense of nostalgia that digital greetings just can’t match, and the excitement of finding something thoughtful waiting in the mailbox. Every card tells a story, whether it’s a family update, a playful snapshot, or a sparkling design that shows a bit of your personality. This year’s trends bring that tradition to life with fresh, creative twists, and VistaPrint has all the tools to help you make sure your holiday card is the one that stands out.
Trend #1: Bold Typography that Speaks Louder than Words
Sometimes the words themselves deserve the spotlight. In 2025, holiday cards with oversized lettering and striking fonts are taking center stage. Instead of treating the greeting as background noise, these designs turn the message into the star. Big, expressive typography not only looks modern but also captures the energy of the season in a single glance.
Take VistaPrint’s “Happy Holidays” card, for example. The design pairs a warm family photo with a bold block of text that reads “HOLIDAYS,” styled with soft glowing lights threaded through the letters. The oversized font doesn’t just frame the photo; it heightens the mood, making the card feel festive and inviting before you even read the smaller details. It’s the perfect choice for families who want their pictures and words to share the stage equally.
Then there’s the “Season’s Greetings” card, which leans into elegance and drama. The earthy green backdrop of pine branches sets the scene, but it’s the typography that truly makes it memorable. The vintage-inspired lettering, with its sweeping curves and carved look, feels both timeless and fresh. Positioned boldly across the card, it’s impossible to miss and instantly communicates holiday cheer.
VistaPrint makes this trend accessible for everyone. Whether you’re using their typography-heavy templates or uploading your own design, you can play with styles that match your personality. Maybe you love sleek modern sans-serifs, or perhaps a rustic script feels more like you. Either way, oversized fonts create an immediate impact, and no extra embellishments are required.
The beauty of bold typography is how it simplifies while amplifying. You don’t need a dozen design elements when one powerful phrase can say it all. With VistaPrint’s customizable options, your words won’t just be read; they’ll be remembered.
Trend #2: Eco-Friendly and Nature-Inspired Designs
In a year where sustainability keeps finding its way into fashion, food, and even party planning, it’s no surprise that holiday cards are following suit. More families are embracing designs that look natural, feel grounded, and reflect a love for the environment. The trend isn’t just about materials—it’s also about the overall aesthetic: earthy tones, botanical illustrations, and simple layouts that feel timeless and genuine.
Look at VistaPrint’s “Grateful, Thankful, Blessed” card. The kraft paper-inspired background instantly sets a warm, organic tone, while the greenery illustrations add a touch of nature’s charm. It’s a card that feels heartfelt, like it was crafted by hand, but with the polished finish you’d expect from a professionally printed piece. Paired with a family photo, it balances rustic warmth with personal storytelling.
On the other side of the spectrum, the “Merriest Christmas” card combines a natural kraft look with playful white and red illustrations. The pine branch patterns and starbursts echo holiday tradition while still keeping a minimalist feel. Even in black and white photography, the kraft paper backdrop adds depth, making the card stand out on any mantle or fridge.
VistaPrint’s range of kraft-inspired holiday cards shows how easy it is to embrace this eco-friendly trend without sacrificing style. These designs tap into nostalgia while speaking to modern values of simplicity and sustainability. They’re perfect for families who want their cards to feel authentic, thoughtful, and connected to something larger than the season itself.
Trend #3: Photo Collage Cards for Storytelling
One picture may be worth a thousand words, but sometimes a single snapshot just isn’t enough to capture the story of your year. That’s why photo collage holiday cards are rising in popularity for 2025. They allow families, couples, and even pet parents to showcase not just one highlight, but a series of little moments that made the year memorable.
The Year in Review design makes this easy and elegant. With space for multiple images arranged around a central greeting, it feels like a scrapbook page distilled into a card. From graduations to weddings, family trips to new pets, this layout gives you a chance to celebrate everything at once. The balanced grid format keeps the look polished while letting your personality shine through each image.
Another standout is the JOY design, which cleverly arranges photos into the shape of a Christmas tree. Black-and-white images paired with a pop of red typography and a bright star at the top create a striking and festive aesthetic. It’s playful yet refined, the kind of card people will keep on display all season long. This design not only shares your favorite snapshots but also turns them into a piece of art.
VistaPrint’s photo collage cards are perfect for those who can’t pick just one memory to share. They tell a fuller story—one of milestones, laughter, and the everyday joys that make up a year. And with customizable layouts, you get to decide how your narrative unfolds.
Trend #4: Luxe Foil Finishes and Metallic Accents
Nothing says “holiday magic” quite like a touch of shimmer. Foil finishes and metallic accents are making a major splash this season, turning even the simplest card into a keepsake. In 2025, gold, silver, and even rose-gold details are everywhere, adding that little sparkle that makes people stop and admire your greeting.
The Merry & Bright card captures this beautifully. Its bold red backdrop sets a festive tone, while the metallic lettering glimmers with every tilt of the light. The combination of family photos and elegant foil typography strikes the perfect balance between personal and polished. It’s warm, joyful, and eye-catching—the kind of card that shines at the top of a holiday card display.
For a sleeker option, the Merriest Christmas card leans into sophistication. With a wide layout perfect for group or company photos, it features luxurious gold foil lettering that feels timeless. The metallic script layered over the image gives it a professional yet celebratory vibe, making it ideal for businesses sending holiday greetings or families who love a touch of glam.
Foil finishes do more than look pretty; they elevate your message. A simple greeting becomes striking when it gleams in metallic detail. The tactile element of foil also makes the card feel high-quality, like a little gift in itself.
Trend #5: Playful Illustrations and Whimsical Themes
The holidays are about joy, laughter, and lighthearted moments—so why not let your cards reflect that same energy? In 2025, whimsical designs with bold colors and playful illustrations are making waves. These cards skip the formality and instead embrace a cheerful, almost childlike spirit that feels refreshing and fun.
The Holly Jolly card is a perfect example of this carefree style. Bright, oversized letters in red, pink, and green spell out the greeting in a way that feels both retro and modern. The family photo tucked inside the design makes it feel personal, but the colorful typography keeps it fun and approachable. It’s the kind of card that doesn’t just say “happy holidays”—it practically sings it.
Equally vibrant is the Wishing You a Joyful Holiday card. Its colorful, hand-drawn lettering stretches across a clean white background, creating a lively yet modern look. Designed with businesses and families in mind, it carries an inclusive and celebratory message. The mix of colors and casual font style gives the card a handmade charm without losing the polish of professional printing.
These whimsical cards are a reminder that holiday greetings don’t always have to be formal. Sometimes, the best way to spread cheer is with a splash of color and a design that feels playful. They’re especially great for families with young kids or for companies that want to show their fun, approachable side.
Holiday cards in 2025 show that tradition keeps evolving while staying meaningful, from bold typography and eco-inspired styles to metallic accents, playful illustrations, and photo collages that share a year’s worth of memories. Each trend highlights how a card becomes more than just a greeting, turning into a keepsake that strengthens connections during the season. With VistaPrint’s wide selection of customizable designs, you can easily create one that reflects your personality and message, ensuring your holiday greeting stands out and feels unforgettable.