Anti-Christmas cards: 11 suck-it sentiments for 2016

(RNS). Ferocious beasts. Orange combovers. Santa Jesuses. Must be Holiday Hostility Syndrome time again.

(RNS) Shop around for a good holiday card this year and you might notice a trend — more sentiments expressing less cheer and fa-la-la and more fear and loathing.

“Happy Seasonal Depression Month!” one card by the indie card company Lady Pilot Letterpress reads. “Or months. Whatever, I can’t even care anymore.”

And this happy hello from Zeichen Press: “Each and every snowflake is unique and tries to bury you alive.”


This year’s sad and scary seasonal cards seem compounded by the recent divisive election and uncertainty about the incoming administration. It’s not hard to find a foul-mouthed Christmas card featuring the candidate of your choice, or one with a Santa that expresses similar sentiments in words that can’t be published here.

Some of that negativity stems from the greeting card industry itself. Sales of holiday cards — which account for 60 percent of all seasonal card sales — has declined steadily since the rise of email and social media, according to the Greeting Card Association. That has forced card companies to “niche out” — produce specialty cards like “anti-Christmas” Christmas cards.

Add to that the fact that Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa all overlap this year, beginning within a day or two of each other, and there are plenty of reasons to bah that humbug. With that in mind, here are some of this year’s anti-holiday holiday cards, culled from the halls of Etsy.

And a warning — some of these cards are not for the faint of heart. They acknowledge that not everyone believes Jesus was the Son of God and that some people drink during the holidays (gasp!).


READ: Don’t tell Santa about these Christmas cards


A still life card with tiger from Perpetual Fungus. Photo courtesy of Perpetual Fungus

A still life card with tiger from Perpetual Fungus. Photo courtesy of Perpetual Fungus

Ferocious beasts, dripping blood, dead animals. Perpetual Fungus card company captures the essence of 2016 in this holiday card.


Hark the Herald card by Lady Pilot Letterpress. Photo courtesy of Lady Pilot Letterpress

Hark the Herald card by Lady Pilot Letterpress. Photo courtesy of Lady Pilot Letterpress

The new, politically incorrect Christmas card suits the new, politically incorrect post-election climate. Card by Lady Pilot Letterpress.



Card by FineLineEmporium. Photo courtesy of Fine Line Emporium

Card by Fine Line Design Emporium. Photo courtesy of Fine Line Design Emporium

Hey, even atheists send holiday cards. Card by Fine Line Design Emporium.


Card by eEvilInkDesign. Photo courtesy of eEvilInkDesign.

Card by eEvil Ink Design. Photo courtesy of eEvil Ink Design

Who doesn’t love a religious holiday with gambling and fried foods? Card by eEvil Ink Design.


Hillary's email Christmas card by The Print Shop. Photo courtesy of Ben Riddell

Hillary’s email Christmas card by The Print Shop. Photo courtesy of Ben Riddell

For the Democrats (or maybe the Republicans?) on your list. From The Print Shop.


Donald Trump for Christmas card by The Print Shop. Photo courtesy of Ben Riddell.

Donald Trump for Christmas card by The Print Shop. Photo courtesy of Ben Riddell

Santa Trump? Card by The Print Shop.


Card by FineLineEmporium. Photo courtesy of FineLine Emporium

Card by eEvilInkDesign. Photo courtesy of eEvilInkDesign.

A much safer sentiment. Card by eEvil Ink Design.


Card by FineLineEmporium. Photo courtesy of FineLineEmporium

Card by Fine Line Design Emporium. Photo courtesy of Fine Line Design Emporium

A lump of coal would be more cheerful than this card. Card by Fine Line Design Emporium.


Card by YeaOhGreetings. Photo courtesy YeaOhGreetings

Card by YeaOhGreetings. Photo courtesy of YeaOhGreetings

At least someone is having fun. Card by YeaOhGreetings.


Card by HellaFreshDesigns. Photo Courtesy of HellaFreshDesigns

Card by Hella Fresh Designs. Photo Courtesy of Hella Fresh Designs

Fire it up. Card by Hella Fresh Designs.


Card by Sparkvites. Photo courtesy of Sparkvites.

Card by Sparkvites. Photo courtesy of Sparkvites

Send this one to the year 2016? Sparkvites letterpress card.

Merry ChristmaHanuKwanzukkah!

Faithful Viewer logo. Religion News Service graphic by T.J. Thomson

Faithful Viewer logo. Religion News Service graphic by T.J. Thomson

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