Above Christmas: A Display Font with Heart and Readability
There’s a moment in editorial design when you’re staring at a blank page, trying to decide which font will best capture the tone of your project. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about how the typeface interacts with the content, guiding the reader’s eye and reinforcing the message. For a lifestyle blog redesign, I found myself in that exact situation, searching for a font that would evoke warmth, cheer, and approachability without sacrificing readability. That’s when I discovered Above Christmas.
A Warm and Inviting Display Typeface
Above Christmas is a display font designed with a friendly, festive character that feels both modern and nostalgic. Its curves are soft, its serifs gentle, and its overall rhythm is inviting. It’s the kind of typeface that makes you smile as you read it, which is exactly what you want when crafting content around holiday themes or uplifting topics.
The font’s personality is unmistakable—playful yet refined, cheerful yet professional. It’s perfect for projects that aim to inspire, celebrate, or uplift. Whether you're designing a newsletter header, an ebook title, or a printable planner, Above Christmas adds a touch of positivity that aligns well with its name.
Real-World Use in Editorial Layouts
I tested Above Christmas in a few real-world scenarios to see how it performed across different editorial contexts. First, I used it as the headline font for a lifestyle blog redesign. The result was striking—the font immediately drew the eye and set the tone for the entire site. It felt like a warm welcome, much like the feeling of walking into a cozy café during the holidays.
Next, I applied it to a recipe ebook cover. The font worked beautifully with the theme, adding a sense of festivity that complemented the seasonal recipes inside. It wasn’t too flashy, but it definitely made the cover stand out on a shelf or screen.
For a wedding guide, I paired Above Christmas with a clean sans serif font for body text. The contrast between the two created a nice visual hierarchy, allowing the display font to shine while ensuring the rest of the content remained easy to read.
One thing I noticed was how Above Christmas handles spacing and line height. It doesn’t feel cramped, even in smaller sizes, which is important for mobile layouts and PDF exports. However, I would caution against using it for long-form body copy or dense paragraphs. Its expressive nature can make dense text feel overwhelming, especially on screens.
Readability and Visual Hierarchy
Readability is key in any editorial design, and Above Christmas excels in creating visual hierarchy. When used for titles, subtitles, or pull quotes, it commands attention without being overpowering. Its weight and structure allow it to stand out, making it ideal for headlines and decorative accents.
However, for longer reading sections, it’s best paired with a more traditional serif or sans serif font. This combination ensures that the content remains accessible while still maintaining a cohesive brand identity. For example, pairing Above Christmas with a readable serif font like Georgia or a clean sans serif like Helvetica can create a balanced and professional look.
When considering screen reading, I recommend testing the font at various sizes to ensure clarity. On mobile devices, it performs well as long as the text isn’t too small. In print, it maintains its charm and legibility, making it suitable for brochures, posters, and other physical materials.
Font Pairing and Practical Considerations
When working with display fonts like Above Christmas, it’s essential to consider font pairing. As mentioned earlier, pairing it with a more readable font helps maintain balance and ensures that the content remains engaging throughout. For captions and navigation elements, a simple sans serif font like Arial or Open Sans works well.
Before finalizing your design, always check the font’s included styles, ligatures, weights, and multilingual support. These features can enhance your layout and make the font more versatile for different projects. Additionally, confirm that the font has commercial licensing rights if you plan to use it in paid newsletters, client publications, or digital downloads.
Lastly, don’t forget to consider file formats. Most premium fonts come in multiple formats (OTF, TTF, WOFF), so make sure the version you choose is compatible with your design software and publishing platforms.
Conclusion
Above Christmas is a display font that brings warmth, cheer, and personality to any editorial project. It’s not just a tool for creating visually appealing designs—it’s a way to connect with your audience through thoughtful typography. Whether you’re redesigning a blog header, creating a newsletter graphic, or building a printable planner, this font offers a unique blend of style and readability that’s hard to beat.
