The Tradition of Christmas Cards

Most of us send Christmas cards to our friends and family every year without a second thought. It’s part of the typical Christmas routine. But, have you ever wondered how the tradition of sending Christmas cards began?

There are conflicting stories about the origin of the Christmas card. We know that as early as the Middle Ages, wood engravers produced prints with religious themes, but these were not actual Christmas cards.

It is believed that the first Christmas cards were designed by John Callcott Horsley in 1843. He designed the cards for Sir Henry Cole, the first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Sir Henry Cole offered 1,000 of these cards for sale in London just before Christmas. The cards were 5 1/8 by 3 ¼ inches and each was hand colored. The cards depicted a family party in the center. On one side of the party was a picture of hungry people being fed and on the opposite side was a picture of poor people being clothed. The caption read “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you”.

In the U.S., it appears that the first “corporate” Christmas cards were sent out by Pease’s Variety Store in Albany, New York. But it was a German printer, living in Roxbury, Massachusetts who first began printing and selling Christmas cards for everyday people. Louis Prang first began selling his Christmas cards in 1874, and by 1884, the tradition of sending Christmas cards in the U.S. had taken off. Prang sold 5 million Christmas cards that year! Once Christmas cards became popular, greetings cards for other holidays soon followed and nowadays, the sale of greetings cards is a multi-billion dollar industry.

Today, there are hundreds of varieties of Christmas cards from which to choose. Many people design their own cards using family photos or beautiful holiday stationery that allows them to write their own sentiments. However, millions of boxed “ready to go” Christmas cards are still sold each year.

When it’s time to send Christmas cards this year, give the project some thought. If you have children and live far away from many friends and family members, a family photo is always appreciated by those who don’t get to see your family often. Or, use a photo from a special occasion during the year, such as a wedding photo to highlight the year’s most important event for your family. Your Christmas cards should be a reflection of your personality. With the myriad of holiday cards and stationery available, designing a Christmas card that truly reflects your style has never been easier.

Review your Christmas card list regularly to ensure you have included new friends and to make sure you have current addresses for everyone on your list. Think carefully and pay attention to details, because some people can be offended if they don’t receive a Christmas card from a long-term friend or acquaintance.

Christmas cards are a lovely tradition, rich with history and sentiment. Take the time to choose beautiful cards that reflect your family and your feelings about this special time of year.