As the decades passed, Halloween cards evolved with the times. By the mid-century, the designs became brighter, the characters more cartoonish and the messages geared toward younger audiences. Though never as widespread as Christmas or birthday cards, Halloween cards kept their place on drugstore racks and greeting card aisles, offering a seasonal way to say hello — especially to kids. They often included puns, rhymes, and playful illustrations of smiling pumpkins or goofy ghosts. Whether mailed or handed out with a candy bar, they added a little extra to the holiday.
The vintage Halloween cards for kids we’ve collected here are from the 1970s and 1980s, but they’re part of that longer tradition. These examples show how the themes stayed friendly and fun, with talking pumpkins, costumed critters and silly jokes. Take a look back and see how people used these cheerful cards to say “boo” by mail.
Happy Halloween cards: A new way to celebrate a very old holiday
by Virginia Schafer published in The Times Recorder (Zanesville, Ohio) October 27, 1973
Black cats have been arching their backs, witches have been soaring on brooms, and ghosts have been haunting on Halloween for many, many years.
Some 2000 years, it’s said, dating back to the pre-Christian era, for Halloween had its roots in the autumn festivals of the Druids.
Many of the customs we continue in some form today date back to those old days. The corn and pumpkins we use for decorating are reminiscent of ancient harvest festivals.
Bobbing for apples and the telling of ghost stories go back to the Middle Ages, and, when you build a bonfire for a wiener roast, you really may be reenacting an old British ritual of lighting fires to ward off evil spirits on the mystical night.
In recent years, a new Halloween custom has been added to those time-honored ones. Just how successful it is, I can’t say, but greeting card counters displaying Halloween cards seem to be doing good business.
Vintage Halloween cards for kids are especially cute
Some of the cards are humorous, some are clever — and some, designed for children, are almost sweet and appealing.
I enjoyed one with a drawing of a pair of scarecrows. The wording: “They’re playing our song — ‘Spook to Me of Love.'”
Witches seem to be the big thing in cards this year, though, and their warty faces peer from beneath peaked hats on card after card.
MORE: Meet ‘n Treat retro Halloween party: A family-friendly ’70s alternative to trick-or-treating
One card shows a witch silhouetted against a full moon and, of all things, she’s driving a sleigh! Inside is a picture of Santa tightly bound and the message, “If you see an old witch in a sleigh with eight tiny reindeer, notify the police.”
Another card reads “An evil witch is going to put a terrible spell on this card.” Inside, the message continues “Hapie Halowheene — that’s one of the most terrible spells I’ve ever seen.”
One advises, “Before you go out to celebrate Halloween, be sure to brush your tooth.”
Another reads, “If, perchance, on Halloween, you are visited by a skinny little old lady with long black scraggly hair, sharp fingernails, a hairy wart on her nose, wearing a black dress and carrying a broom — be kind to her. After all, selling brooms is one heck of a way to earn a living.”
But, if I were going to send Halloween cards, I’d probably choose one of the Peanuts variety. Snoopy, for instance, grumbling over the vandals who painted “Happy Halloween” in bright orange on his dog house.
Or — my favorite — a masked Woodstock demanding “Twick or Tweet!”
Vintage Halloween cards for kids: No tricks to pull — no pranks to play…
Among vintage Halloween cards for kids, there is this one with a black cat sitting inside a magician’s hat (1977)
Vintage Halloween cards for kids from the seventies: For a special granddaughter on Halloween
Featuring ghost and ballerina costumes (1977)
“Hi, granddaughter!” A kitten trick-or-treating with pumpkin candy basket
A squirrel with a pumpkin who “Picked this out special”
Vintage Halloween cards for kids: Happy Halloween to a sweet girl
Shows a girl dressed as a witch, stirring a cauldron (1979)
Little ghost and pumpkin on a vintage Halloween card
Vintage Halloween cards for kids with a happy haunted house
Vintage Halloween cards for kids: Black cat
For a sweet granddaughter (1980)
Haunted house vintage Halloween cards for kids
Witches and ghosts and monsters and ghouls inhabit this cute haunted house
Guess who? It’s a vintage Halloween card with a black cat!
Vintage Halloween cards for kids – a girl in her costume
Wishing a girl who’s extra sweet…
Halloween scarecrow and pumpkin
A Halloween harvest hello (1978)
Printed inside: Hope you’ll be so happy while Halloween is here — That, like this scarecrow, you’ll grin from ear-to-ear! HAVE FUN!
Happy Halloween from a grandparent
You’re the best, Granddaughter (with a huge Jack-o’-lantern)
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