A Postcrossing Christmas Meetup in Vienna, Austria

A Postcrossing Christmas Meetup in Vienna, Austria

November 29, 2025

This postcard is 'signed' by the members who attended. 

 

Santa in a Blue/Gold and Pink Robe

A Very Merry Christmas

(I love the colors of his robe!)

 

A Merry Christmas Postcard from Germany

Merry Christmas

This fun postcard was mailed in 2014 from Germany.

 

Santa with a Fuzzy Beard - God Jul (Merry Christmas)

 God Jul (Merry Christmas)

This santa has a cotton type of material glued onto his hat and beard.  It looks like it make it through the mail safely though.  It was postmarked from Finland in 1964.

Finland (Suomi Finland) stamp 1963 -1975 

Coat of Arms - 

Thick White Circle Around Value

10 Mk

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There are two of these stamps on the postcard. 

Greetings From the North Pole - A Wood Postcard

Greetings from the NORTH POLE

This large letter postcard is made of wood and was postmarked in 2018 with two Santa stamps.

The sender writes a punny message:
I 'WOOD' like to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

USA stamp 2018

Christmas, Sparkling Santas

Forever a first class stamp 

USA stamp 2018

Christmas, Sparkling Santas

Forever a first class stamp

Santa and Reindeer with Parachutes Instead of a Sleigh

Santa and his reindeer each using a parachute instead of a sleigh  ( I love it!!)

Illustration by Stewart Moskowitz

This is postmarked in 2012 with all four Christmas stamps from the 'Santa and Reindeer' series 

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From his website: www.smoskowitz.com

Mr. Moskowitz achieved success at an early age, and the characters in his works have universal appeal. Born in 1941 in the bustling New York City, Moskowitz's first influence came from his father, a wood sculptor, who decorated his home with figurines depicting elephants, tigers, and birds.

Stewart says, "When I was just 5 or 6 years old, instead of selling lemonade, I would sell my paintings in front of my house for 3 or 4 cents a piece."

Santa in a Blue Suit from 1912

Merry Christmas

Postmarked in 1912 with a one sent stamp

Santa in a blue suit - the gate, part of his cloths, the tree and the roof all have metallic highlights.

Santa Playing a Balalaika with Animals Listening

(postcard reads: С Новым годом = Happy New Year)

Santa playing a Balalaika (guitar like instrument) with a young girl, a bear, rabbit, squirrel, hedgehog and a snake wearing a bonnet.

postmarked in 2013 with two stamps from Russia

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The balalaika is a Russian folk stringed musical instrument with a characteristic triangular body and three strings.

Xmas verses Christmas

Gerhard Gluck "Xmas Post"

the sender writes on the back:  Merry Christmas

postmarked in 2012 with two Germany stamps

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For me, a believer in Jesus Christ as my personal savior, I am not a fan of Xmas.  Christmas is about the birth of Christ and taking his name out of the word and adding an X is, in my humble opinion, wrong.

When people write to me and say Merry Xmas, I don't write back my feelings or opinions, I just write:  Merry Christmas.  I respect peoples opinions even when they don't agree with mine.

 

Merry Christmas!

Best Christmas Wishes
Featuring a Little Girl Praying and Santa Listening

Best Christmas Wishes (early 20th century).

back reads: From the collection of Gabriella Oldham - 1989

This is a reproduction postcard - unused

I love this postcard ! !

Merry Christmas from Around the World

Season's Greetings
Frohes Fest (German - Merry Christmas)
Meilleurs Voeux (French - Best Wishes)
Buone Feste (Italian - Happy Holidays)
Prettige Feestdagen (Dutch - Merry Christmas)
Boas Festas (Portuguese - Happy Holidays)
Felices Fiestas (Spanish - Happy Holidays)
God Jul och gott nytt ar (Swedish - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)
Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun (Turkish - Happy New Year)

Globale Weihnachten (Global Christmas)
Foto: Mauritius Images / Van Ravenswaay

postmarked in 2011 with two Germany stamps
 

Santa Leaving the North Pole - Bulgaria

Translations:

Top: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Then: Santa's workshop

And below: North Pole

Bottom: There will be presents for everyone for the New Year from the hearth

This postcard is postmarked in 2010 with two Bulgaria stamps.

Flying Ace - Santa

A Joyful Christmas. 1913; published by John Winsch,
printed in Germany.  1990 by Suzanne Presley.

unused

I love that Santa is in an old fashion airplane and throwing the gifts at the kids!

Santa Claus Land, Indiana

Santa Claus

Santa Claus Land, Indiana

The major greeter for Santa Claus Land, is this jolly old get, who waves to every visitor, both young and old, as they enter the grounds at Santa Claus Land.  This statue has been photographed more times than any other statue of Saint Claus in the world.  This is an impressive monument to the patron saint of children, who brings joy to the world, and specially at Christmas Time.

Color Photo by Brock

The Christmas Dining Room

Santa Claus Land, Indiana

A luncheon or dinner in the Christmas Dining Room is a highlight and delight of any visit to Santa Claus Land.  The decor in color and theme of Christmas charms all guests.  A full menu of fine foods is always offered.  Enjoy a holiday dinner any day, complete with a Christmas tree and Christmas murals.  The Christmas Room is also available for special catering, conventions, parties, etc. by reservation.  

both postcards are postmarked in 1978 from Santa Claus, Indiana with a 10 cent stamp

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Santa Claus Land is now Holiday World and it makes Santa share billing with Halloween, the 4th of July, and Thanksgiving.

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Santa Claus, Indiana, is a town located in Spencer County in Southwest Indiana.

Santa Claus, Indiana, was established in 1854. In 1856, when the town (then known as Santa Fe, pronounced "fee") was working to establish a Post Office, the US Postal Service refused their first application as there was already another Santa Fe, Indiana. Several town meetings were held, during which the name Santa Claus was selected.

The town has the world’s only post office to bear the name of Santa Claus. Because of this popular name, the post office receives thousands of letters to Santa from all over the world each year. A group of volunteers known as "Santa’s Elves" ensures each child receives a reply from Santa Claus; this tradition has been around since at least 1914. 

Ded Moroz - Russian Santa Clause with Snegurochka

the sender writes:

It's Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) - Russian Santa, with his granddaughter Snegurochka, riding the troika (trio) of horses to bring presents.

What a beautiful Christmas postcard!! All the little white dots are specks of glitter.  The sled is a carved swan and the 'frame' makes it look like a real piece of artwork.  Great postcard for sure!

postmarked in 2010 with three Russia stamps 

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In some Slavic cultures, the traditional character Ded Moroz plays a role similar to that of Santa Claus. The literal translation of the name would be Grandpa Frost, although the name is often translated as Father Frost. Ded Moroz brings presents to children. However, unlike the secretive ways of Santa Claus, he often brings them in person, at the celebrations of the New Year and at New Year parties for children by the New Year Tree.

Ded Moroz is commonly accompanied by Snegurochka, or 'Snow Maiden,' his granddaughter. She is a unique attribute of the image of Father Frost – no other santa figures have a similar companion.

The traditional appearance of Ded Moroz has a resemblance to that of Santa Claus, with his coat, boots and long white beard. Specifically, Ded Moroz wears a heel-long fur coat and a semi-round fur hat. Unlike Santa Claus, he walks with a long magical staff, does not say "Ho, ho, ho," and drives no reindeer but a troika (like it the postcard above) or just walks.

A troika is a traditional Russian harness driving combination, using three horses abreast, usually pulling a sleigh. 

A Little Christmas Humor :D

"Here!  wait a moment till I check up this account and see if you've got all the things I ordered".

unused

too funny!

Santa and Coca-Cola

In 1931, The Coca-Cola Company commissioned Michigan-born illustrator Haddon Sunblom to develop advertising images using Santa Claus. What started as an advertising campaign soon became a tradition that has captured the public's fancy for the last 75 years.

bought at The World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia

unused, from 2008

Christmas in Norway

God Jul og Godt Nytt Ar

the sender translates as: Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

postmarked in 2009 with a Noreg (Norway) 12.00 stamp

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It is common for children to pay visits to neighbours where they are given candy, nuts and clementines. Each area has a fixed tradition for this; it varies throughout the country. It's called Julebukk or Nyttårsbukk. In some places, kids may go out every day between Juleaften and New Year's Eve, and in other places, they may only go out on New Year's Eve. In most areas, the children dress up, somewhat similar to the American Halloween tradition. They are expected to sing a Christmas carol or perform in some other way.

Santa Water Skiing of Course!

What else would santa be doing this time of year?
:)

Santa Claus on Water Skis, Miami, Florida, 1950's
Photograph by Paul Popper

unused, bought in 2010

Santa in Purple Suit - 1909 Postcard

With All Good Wishes

Santa in a purple suit with embossing

has some writing on the back, but was never mailed - with the year 1909 written on it