A Christmas card is sent as part of the Christmas celebration of the year in order to show friends, family and acquaintances a range of feelings and expressions related to the Christmas period. Cards are usually sent from the beginning of December up to Christmas Day and are even sent by non-Christians. Some cards express religious sentiments, whilst others contain poetry or prayers. Many cards simply contain brief sentiments such as – Best wishes for Christmas or Seasons Greetings. Cards are now produced for individuals, for example, Wishing a Happy Christmas to my Dear Mother or another family member. Happy Christmas across the miles is a popular type of card to send to faraway friends.
Most Christmas cards are commercially designed and there are many variations on the style and theme. Some cards relate directly to the Christian calendar, depicting Jesus and Mary, the Three Wise Men or the Star of Bethlehem. Many are secular, showing traditions such as Father Christmas, holly, robins or snow scenes. Some secular cards also depict nostalgic scenes from the past such as streetscapes from the 19th century with crinolined ladies shopping or riding in carriages. Many cards are humorous and may depict the antics of Father Christmas and his reindeers.
History of Christmas Cards
Christmas cards originated over 150 years ago in England and the custom of sending cards has become more and more popular as the years have passed. However, in the present day, it is possible to send an online Christmas card although this is far less personal than a handwritten card sent through the post and can be considered by some to be an afterthought.
Kate Greenaway was a Victorian writer and illustrator of children’s books. Cards designed by her and others were popular at the last part of the 19th century and early 20th century. These elaborate cards were often decorated with fabric such as satin and silk and many were fan-shaped. Others were cut into shapes of birds, candles, bells and Christmas puddings. Many folded up like a puzzle or slotted together and there were also pop-up cards. Cards by Greenaway have become extremely collectable and can fetch high prices.
It was not until 1875 that Americans were able to buy Christmas cards. In that year Louis Prang, an immigrant from Germany, opened a shop and published the first Christmas cards in America. Initially his creations were of birds and flowers and not particularly related to Christmas. By 1881 he was producing over five million cards annually. Gradually his cards featured Christmas scenes with snow, fir trees, children playing and welcoming fireplaces. Like Kate Greenaway, Prang’s cards are a favourite amongst collectors. Some collectors focus on particular images such as particular printing techniques or Father Christmas. The most expensive Christmas card ever sold was produced by JC Horsley in 1843 and fetched over £22,000 in 2001. People never cease to be fascinated by things from the past and In the British Museum is a large collection of Christmas cards that were collected by Queen Mary.
The Business of Christmas Cards
Throughout the 20th century, the production of Christmas cards was a very profitable enterprise for stationery manufacturers. Cards continually evolved as tastes and printing techniques changed. With the two world wars, patriotic themes evolved. There were often cartoon cards, sometimes with political or risque humour. However, timeless pictures, simple settings and Christmas scenes such as robins, holly and carol singers are still the most popular cards today
Many charities sell Christmas cards as a means of fundraising. Their very attractive cards are sold in their shops and, in most cases, the charity declares what percentage of the sale actually goes to the charity. Many people choose to support charities in this way.
Many businesses send Christmas cards to their customer list. This helps to develop goodwill and retains brand awareness as well as reinforcing social networks. Usually discrete and secular, the cards do not attempt to sell anything in particular but merely mention the name of the business. This practice goes back to trade cards of over 100 years ago which were a forerunner of modern-day Christmas cards.
In the 1840s official Christmas cards became popular and have remained so. For example, the British royal family sends cards which generally portray significant events relating to the family from that particular year. American President Eisenhower was the first president to issue the first official card from the White House. Prominent American artists are selected to design the cards and the number of recipients has increased from around 2,000 in 1961 to around one and a half million currently.
Christmas Card Designs
In recent years there has been a revival in hand-crafted items and Christmas cards have been used partly to avoid the commercialism perceived to be such a large part of Christmas today. Craft shops sell an array of items to punch or cut out shapes and to paint or to do collage. To receive a hand-made Christmas card means somebody has gone to a good deal of time and effort.
With the advances in digital photography, many people now design and print their own Christmas cards. This is a fun way to make cards as you do not need any artistic talent. You can put family photos or holiday snaps on the card perhaps or you may choose to use designs from the internet or computer programs. Also it is possible to use different colours and typefaces.
The average person in the UK sends around 50 cards each Christmas so the Christmas card market is a huge money-spinner for the retail trade. When Christmas is over, cards need not go to waste. Many high street shops and other outlets now offer facilities for recycling cards. This has been fuelled by concern over the environmental impact of the amount of cards going into landfill together with the impact of printing, sending and delivering the cards. Many vegetable-based inks are used now too. The Woodland Trust, a UK conservation charity, sponsors a yearly event to recycle Christmas cards.
