Making the Holidays

It's hard to believe that 2021 is the 9th year of my line of Philly Holiday cards. Soon after I began my Philly series, 'Famous Sites & Favorite Places," a retail buyer  for my regular cards suggested I make a Holiday card, and I've been grateful to her ever since. Sadly, her shop is no longer in business, but the Holiday cards have picked up steam. They've become a regular part of my life and, from what I hear, many other Philly-loving lives too!

All of the designs start with a b&w sketchbook drawing. In 2018 I chose my quick sketch of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with the PMA in the distance. I wanted a cheery scene of the Holidays in Center City, along with the chance to celebrate Philly's cultural riches and its International connections in the flags from many countries. I fudged a bit, keeping the trees green under a starry, snowy sky - but the greens work perfectly to complement the reds in my Joy on the Parkway card!

Last year, in the midst of our 2020 locked-in lives, I chose a drawing of Reading Terminal Market. As many of you know, I was a weekly vendor there for a few years, so I know RTM - people and stores - well. Like all of us in 2020 the market was doing its best to keep its spirits up and keep going, so I wanted to celebrate it and send a message of hope and cheer. Although my sketch wasn't done at the Holidays, Bassett's and Market Blooms worked perfectly for a palette of seasonal reds and greens. RTM Festive has been a very popular card!

This year the new card is Billy Penn Holiday, starring the high-flying founder of Philadelphia who stands firmly atop City Hall at the center of his 17th c. creation. City Hall is a magnificent building at all times; at the Holidays, with the skating and the shops and the decorations, it becomes a magnet for fun and cheer and all good seasonal doings. Stay warm up there, Billy Penn, and enjoy the view!

Over the years I've added more Holiday cards and gradually reduced those that focus solely on Christmas In order to celebrate the celebrating of any and all variations of Holiday cheer.

The very first card, City Hall Santa, is a Christmas classic and will always have a place. 
Holiday cards carry the message 'Happy Philly Days'.
City Hall Santa has 'Have a very Philly Christmas.'

My Philly Holiday cards are available through my website and from selected shops*. There are always eight designs to choose from, with a new card joining seven classics each year. Cards are A6 size and come with white envelopes. Order a mixed set of 5 designs (15 cards - 3 each design) or single design sets of 6 cards. Order now - shipping starts Nov 29.  Happy Holidays!
https://www.macgregor-art.com/phillyholidays.html

*Look for my  Philly cards, Holiday and regular series, at Paper on Pine (Sansom St) and Paper Moon (S 4th St)