Christmas Cards

The History of the Christmas Card

The tradition of sending Christmas cards has become a cherished part of holiday celebrations, but its origins date back to the 19th century. The history of the Christmas card is rooted in the broader evolution of communication and festive customs, with a journey that reflects the changing social, technological, and artistic trends of the time.

Early Beginnings: The First Christmas Card

The first commercially produced Christmas card is credited to Sir Henry Cole, a British civil servant, and entrepreneur. In 1843, Cole, who had been instrumental in modernizing the British postal system, was searching for a way to encourage people to use the new "Penny Post" service, which allowed for inexpensive mailing throughout the country. Cole, like many others, found it difficult to keep up with the Victorian custom of writing long, personalized Christmas letters to friends and family.

To solve this problem, he commissioned artist John Callcott Horsley to design the very first Christmas card. The design featured a festive scene of a family gathered around a table, enjoying a Christmas feast, flanked by images of people performing charitable acts. The card bore the message "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." Cole had 1,000 of these cards printed and sold them for a shilling each. The idea of sending pre-printed Christmas cards caught on, particularly among the upper classes, and a new tradition was born.

The Rise of the Christmas Card Industry

Though Cole's Christmas card was a success, it wasn't until the 1860s that the practice of sending Christmas cards became widespread. Advances in color printing, particularly the development of chromolithography, made it easier and more affordable to produce attractive, multi-colored cards. The reduction in postal rates during the same period further fueled the popularity of Christmas cards, making them accessible to a larger segment of the population.

By the 1870s, the Christmas card industry began to flourish, with publishers in the United Kingdom and the United States producing a wide variety of designs. These early cards often featured elaborate illustrations, including winter landscapes, religious imagery, and seasonal flowers. Some cards even included humorous or sentimental verses. While the designs were typically Victorian in style, the cards reflected a range of themes, from the sacred to the secular, which allowed them to appeal to a broad audience.

Christmas Cards in the 20th Century

The 20th century saw the Christmas card evolve both as an art form and as a commercial product. With the rise of mass production, Christmas cards became more affordable and more widely available than ever before. Artists like Kate Greenaway and Frances Brundage gained popularity for their charming and whimsical designs, which often depicted children, animals, and festive scenes.

The early 1900s also brought a shift in card design toward more minimalist and modern styles, particularly in the wake of World War I. During the war, sending Christmas cards became a way for families and friends to stay connected, especially for those separated by the conflict.

In the United States, the Christmas card market grew rapidly, spurred by companies like Hallmark, which began producing cards in the early 1900s. The company's innovations, such as folded cards in envelopes, helped define the modern Christmas card.

Contemporary Christmas Cards

Today, Christmas cards come in countless varieties, from traditional paper cards to e-cards and customizable photo cards. While the tradition of sending Christmas cards has evolved with technology, the sentiment remains the same: sharing warm wishes with loved ones during the holiday season.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence in interest in high-quality, handcrafted, and eco-friendly Christmas cards, reflecting a desire to make the holiday season more personal and sustainable. Despite changes in trends and technologies, the tradition of sending Christmas cards continues to bring joy and connection to millions around the world each year, remaining an enduring part of the Christmas celebration.