For as often as people complain about having to sit down and write out Christmas cards, everyone knows that Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without them. Christmas cards typically end up as part of the Christmas décor, adding a personal flair to nearly all household decorations.
These days, Christmas cards can be purchased in bulk in nearly any style. From humorous and sincere to boisterous and romantic, Christmas cards are the perfect way to tell those you care about that you’re thinking of them during the holiday season. Like many other holiday traditions, the Christmas card tradition had to start somewhere.
The Origins of the Christmas Card Tradition
This particular tradition began in 1843. A man named John Horsley of London, England, was the first to create and distribute the Christmas card—though his creation was met with some controversy. His card depicted a toast to the Christmas holiday, and the Puritans immediately denounced it for its use of alcohol. However, others found it to be remarkably creative and a useful holiday greeting. And so, the Christmas card was born.
Before the Christmas card’s invention, wooden engravings were somewhat popular, though they were expensive and time-consuming. John Horsley had actually invented his first Christmas card in 1480, but it wasn’t until 1843, while perfecting his design, that he offered it to the public. He had been commissioned by Sir Henry Cole to create something fabulous to send to people he cared for but couldn’t visit. The first year they went on sale, there were only 1,000 available, sold for one shilling each. This led to significant wealth for John Horsley, especially considering that 1,000 shillings in 1843 would be equivalent to several hundred thousand shillings by today’s standards.
Lithographic printed cards had existed since the late 1700s, a form of printing that involved creating detailed images on stone and transferring them onto paper, much like a stamp. In France, lithographic greeting cards were used for New Year’s, but the transition to Christmas cards happened very slowly.
It wasn’t until 1860 that the first Christmas cards went on sale in the United States. An immigrant from Germany set up shop near Boston, Massachusetts, and created the first color greeting cards for both Christmas and New Year’s. Louis Prang prided himself on the creative and festive winter scenes that his cards depicted, and he sold out of his creations annually. He would spend the following year creating sets of cards for the next Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The Civil War brought low morale to the country, especially during Christmas time. In an effort to boost morale for his troops, President Lincoln enlisted a cartoonist to create Christmas cards for those serving in the army and militias. These were the first Christmas cards to depict Santa Claus.
Over time, Christmas cards have continued to evolve and have become a staple of Christmastime celebrations in nearly every household. They represent warm wishes and thoughts of peace towards those we know and care for. While some people don’t understand the reasoning behind the Christmas card tradition, most believe that Christmas cards are a way of staying connected with those we miss over the holidays.
Sending animated, colorful, and vocal Christmas cards has become more popular than ever. E-cards are beginning to dominate the industry, although most people still profess a preference for receiving Christmas cards in hard copy. E-cards are usually free or very low-cost, take less time to complete and send, and with an address book that can be imported into various online systems, it’s unlikely anyone will be forgotten.
Christmas cards today, while still outsold by Valentine’s Day cards, remain highly popular and hold fast to tradition. Hung by their corners, they create a beautiful display that adds festive joy for those who cannot share the holidays together. Despite the grumbling and the convenience of e-card mailings, Christmas cards are expected to enjoy phenomenal longevity for those who celebrate Christmas.
