Elvis and The Colonel Christmas Cards: Which Design to Send?

Quick answer

Send the Elvis and The Colonel Santa Snowman Christmas Card for a playful, nostalgic greeting, and choose the Elvis and The Colonel 1970's Christmas Card when you want the red phoenix jumpsuit image to lead. Both are official Graceland cards with the same "Season's Greetings, Elvis and The Colonel" message, so the design, not the wording, is your real decision.

What actually separates the two designs

The cards differ in the era and the image they reproduce. The Santa Snowman card draws on a 1960s photo of Colonel Parker in his Santa suit beside Lamar Fike in a snowman suit. The 1970s card reproduces the 1975 postcard image of Elvis in his red phoenix jumpsuit with the Colonel in his Santa suit.

That means your choice is about which moment you want to put in an envelope: a lighter, costume-driven scene or a concert-era Elvis image. Neither card is more official than the other; both are inspired by cards the duo actually sent.

When the Santa Snowman card is the better send

The Santa Snowman design works best for mixed audiences. A snowman and Santa read as Christmas at a glance, so the card lands well with friends, coworkers and family who may not know Elvis lore. If your recipient is a casual fan or someone who simply likes vintage holiday imagery, this is the safer choice.

It also suits anyone who enjoys the Colonel's behind-the-scenes role in Elvis history, since he shares the frame with Lamar Fike rather than with Elvis himself.

When the 1970s card earns its place

The 1970s card puts Elvis front and center in the red phoenix jumpsuit, which makes it the stronger pick for concert-era fans and for collectors who already have earlier Elvis holiday greeting cards. If the recipient associates Elvis with the 1970s stage shows, this image does more work than a snowman scene.

The tradeoff is that the Elvis image is the focal point, so it feels more like a fan card than a general holiday card. That is an advantage for the right recipient and a mismatch for a recipient who expects a traditional Christmas design.

A note on price and catalog limits

Both cards are listed below their comparison price in the current catalog, with the Santa Snowman card at the lower catalog price of the two. The catalog does not list envelope color, card size, interior printing or pack quantity, so check those details on the product page before ordering a batch for a large mailing list.

Elvis and The Colonel Christmas card FAQ

Which card should I send to a casual fan?

Choose the Elvis and The Colonel Santa Snowman Christmas Card. The Santa and snowman imagery reads as Christmas immediately, so the recipient does not need to know the history to enjoy it.

Which card suits a concert-era Elvis collector?

Choose the Elvis and The Colonel 1970's Christmas Card. Its 1975 postcard image of Elvis in the red phoenix jumpsuit is the more specific fan reference.

Do the two cards say the same thing inside?

Both carry the nostalgic "Season's Greetings, Elvis and The Colonel" message. The catalog does not state whether the interiors are otherwise identical, so confirm interior printing on the product page if that matters to you.

Can I order both designs for one mailing?

Yes. Splitting a batch lets you send the Santa Snowman card to general recipients and the 1970s card to Elvis fans. Check available quantities and any pack options on each product page before you plan the split. Match the design to the recipient, not to the size of your order.

Are these original vintage cards?

No. They are Graceland cards inspired by the original cards sent by Elvis and the Colonel, not the 1960s or 1975 originals.

Product facts

• Elvis and The Colonel Santa Snowman Christmas Card: Features a 1960s image of Colonel Parker in his Santa suit alongside Lamar Fike in a snowman suit. The costume scene makes it the more broadly festive option for recipients who are not deep Elvis fans.

  

• Elvis and The Colonel 1970's Christmas Card: Reproduces the 1975 postcard image of Elvis in his red phoenix jumpsuit with the Colonel in his Santa suit. The concert-era Elvis image gives collectors and longtime fans a specific moment to recognize.