How did Sending Christmas Cards Become a Tradition?
In 1843, Sir Henry Cole of England began the tradition of sending Christmas cards.
Because he had too many customers to hand compose Christmas greetings, Sir Henry Cole contracted artist John Calcott Horsley to create a card onto which he had printed “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You”.He typeset one thousand cards. Of those, twelve exist today.Soon, people in different countries startedmailing Christmas cards.
In the late ninteenth century and early twentieth century, Christmas cards made by Kate Greenaway, the Victorian childrens writer and illustrator, were popular. Like the scrapbookers of today, her cards often featured many different types of papers, fabrics and fringe. Some were even elaborate pop-ups featuring skaters and tiny mangers.
It was not until 1875 in the United States that Christmas cards were available to the masses. In that year, Louis Prang, a German immigrant began producing them in his publishing shop in Boston. BeforeUntil to that year, Americans imported Christmas cards from England. In the 1890’s, Prang could not compete with cheaper cards printed overseas and went out of business. Still, Prang is known as the originator of the American Christmas card.
Technical advances in card publishing during WWI was spurred by competition among card publishers.
During the Depression in the 1930’s, the use of color lithography revived the card industry.
The studio card, which used humor as an element of the card, made its debut in the 1950’s.
The 1990’s saw the introduction of the e-card, an electronic version of a greeting card sent via e-mail.
Christmas cards today are available in many formats to appeal to the masses. From traditional and religious Christmas cards to cards with jokes, there is something for everyone. In fact, the industry has evolved so much that there is a card for virtually any event, or “non-event.” Still, Christmas remains the highest ranking of the card-selling holidays.
As a staple of the holidays, Christmas cards are sent to family, friends and business colleagues to express holiday wishes. With people’s busy lives, it is often the only time they update family and friends on events that happened in their lives during the year. The Christmas card has made many changes since its introduction in the 19th century, but the sentiment behind it is always the same: “Merry Christmas!”