The holidays always bring back vivid memories for me, especially from my childhood growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Portsmouth, Virginia. There’s a kind of magic in the season that stays with you—moments of wonder that linger long after the last present is unwrapped or the last cookie is eaten. For me, much of that magic was shaped by the visual elements of the holidays: the hand-lettered signs, festive displays, and the intricate details that turned ordinary spaces into something extraordinary.
As an artist and designer today, I often find myself chasing that same sense of wonder in the work I create. And I’ve come to realize that art—especially during Christmas—has this incredible way of connecting the past with the present, creating moments of joy that feel timeless.
Childhood Nostalgia Memories: The Art of the Holidays
When I was young, Christmas meant trips to places like Miller and Rhoads, a grand department store in Portsmouth. Walking through its halls, I was captivated by the beautifully lettered signs that guided shoppers or announced holiday sales. Those signs weren’t just practical—they were art. Each curve of the letters felt intentional, each word wrapped in the warmth of the season.
Then there was Coleman's Nursery, a magical spot I visited with my mom, dad, sister, and grandparents. It wasn’t just a nursery—it was a wonderland. They transformed the space into an immersive Christmas display, filled with lights, decorations, and yes, hand-lettered touches. Those signs, paired with the elaborate setups, created an atmosphere that felt alive, as if you’d stepped into a Christmas card.
photos courtesy of Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center
Looking back, it’s clear those experiences shaped my love for design and lettering. They taught me that art has the power to create not just beauty, but connection—a sense of place and memory that stays with you long after the moment has passed.
The Power of Hand Lettering to Evoke Nostalgia
There’s something about hand lettering that feels deeply personal. Maybe it’s because each line, each curve, reflects the human touch—it’s not perfect, but it’s intentional. And isn’t that what nostalgia is? A collection of imperfect yet cherished moments that we hold onto?
When I sit down to create a hand-lettered holiday piece, I think about those childhood memories. I think about how a simple sign could transport me to a place of wonder and joy. That’s the feeling I try to capture in my work today: the joy of a time when the world felt bigger and brighter, and every detail was worth noticing. I accomplished this very exercise when I created this downloadable set of notecards!
Carrying Tradition Forward Through Art
Now, as I design for the holidays, I see it as a way to carry those traditions forward. Whether I’m creating custom ornaments, hand-lettered gift tags, or prints for clients, I try to infuse them with the same sense of magic I felt as a child.
One project that stands out was designing a holiday card for a family who wanted to capture the warmth of their traditions. As I sketched out the lettering and added festive embellishments, I thought of how my own family gathered around the tree, the smell of my grandmother’s cookies filling the air. Art, after all, isn’t just about what you see—it’s about what you feel.
Designing Joy in Your Own Way
The beauty of art is that it invites us to create our own memories and nostalgia. You don’t need to be a professional designer to add a personal touch to the holidays. A hand-lettered “Merry Christmas” on kraft paper wrapping, a simple sign on your mantel, or even a handwritten card can make the season feel more meaningful.
The act of creating—of slowing down to put pen to paper—becomes its own kind of tradition, a moment to reflect on what the season means to you and to share that meaning with others.
The Timelessness of Holiday Art
As I think about those signs in Miller and Rhoads or the displays at Coleman’s Nursery, I’m reminded of how much thought and care went into making the holidays special. Those little details, the ones we sometimes overlook, are what linger in our hearts.
Today, I see my work as a continuation of that legacy—creating art that brings joy, sparks connection, and maybe, just maybe, becomes part of someone else’s cherished memories.
Because at its best, holiday art doesn’t just decorate the season—it becomes a part of the story.
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