Christmas Greeting Cards: Retracing its History

One important part of Christmas, apart from the food and the decoration, are Christmas Greeting Cards . Sending out greeting cards is something that almost everyone has done at some point in their lives. It’s not just in the United States, but almost every country in the world sends out greeting cards. It has become a tradition. However, in spite of its widespread practice, not that many people know about the origin of Christmas greeting cards and how it came to be as important as it is now. Let’s take a quick step back through time and see just how this whole practice began.

When it came to sending out greeting cards, who would have done it better than the Englishman? London is the primary origin of this tradition. Back then, it was a common practice for English folks to send out Christmas greeting cards to friends and family. These were all handwritten or bore some personal greeting from the sender.

However, one busy Englishman, by the name of Sir Henry Cole, commissioned the artist, John Callcott Horsley to create and paint greeting cards for him because he simply did not have enough time. He wanted to just be able to add his signature and send out the cards. This went well until after Horsley decided to paint a picture of children enjoying the holiday spirit drinking wine. It saw a sudden end, however, in the 20th century; Kate Greenaway created the first few preprinted cards.

Pretty soon, Christmas greeting cards became a staple in the United States because of Louis Prang who was an American Lithograph printer. He created and sold these greeting cards designed and decorated with pictures that showed snowmen, flowers, birds, toys and children. As the years progressed, Christmas greeting cards became inculcated in our culture and more variations and themes are available today.

One of the most important things that people send out during the holidays are Christmas greeting cards. It works both ways, the sender feels good knowing that he is sending out the spirit of Christmas and the receiver feels special knowing that he is remembered. Today, with technology at its boom, people are no longer limited to sending out paper Christmas cards, but electronic cards are available as well.

Even though the popularity of paper Christmas cards is still pretty high, electronic greeting cards is right behind its tail since it’s so convenient to send them. Just by having access to a computer, Internet and an email account. Unlike paper cards, you don’t have to wait and worry if your mail will be received. In seconds, these electronic cards will be received by the recipient, spreading the Christmas cheer much faster.

However, if you are the type of person who likes to write and maintain a personal touch in whatever you do, you can send out paper greeting cards. Even though there are some obvious disadvantages with sending out paper cards like cost, time and effort, there are several good points with sending them out as well. For one thing, unlike electronic greeting cards, you can keep them forever. It’s something that your recipient can pull out and hold in his or her hand when they want to remember you.

You can also personalize it by writing a message or adding photos. It delivers the message you want to convey. Making the recipient realize just how important you are to them. Whatever kind of Christmas greeting cards you choose, the bottom line is that you are sharing the joy and love of the holiday season.

They say that Christmas is not a single concept but a collection of a lot of things put together. There are the material things such as Christmas cards, Christmas trees, ornaments, the image of Santa Claus, candy canes, and so much more. But course, there are also the more important non-material matters, such as connecting with your family and friends.

Most people believe that Christmas need not be very extravagant and material-filled, as long there is the presence of love above everything else. After all, what use are the colors of Christmas if people are more absorbed by hatred and negativity. However, showing love to one another is also a very diverse thing. While most people do this through hugs and kisses, some people still turn to the help of material things. And among the most popular forms of doing this is by means of Christmas cards.

The act of giving gifts has always been the leading way of how people greet each other very time the Christmas season comes. However, gift-giving has not been completely possible with a lot of people, due to the fact that most of us travel a lot and end up in distant places. And so, back when the internet and phone lines were not yet known, people looked for a way for them to get in touch with their loved ones who happen to be far away. Christmas cards have been the best solution, as they can be easily transported through the conventional mailing system.

Ever since they first came into the world, Christmas cards have faced a lot of transformation. We have come to witness them become more complicated. Before, they were just plain cardboards that are folded in the middle with a Christmas design on the front. And then they became incorporated with glitters and various materials for decoration. Later on, they have had 3D accessories. And then came musical add-ons. In the present, they have even had their very own digital version in the name of e-cards.

But no matter how in many more ways we see Christmas cards to evolve, the meaning and specialness behind them remain intact. They were created as an answer to the need of people to connect with their loved ones during the special time of Christmas. And until now, they still serve the purpose of being the bridge that links people to their family and friends. They are the ones that spread the love even amidst great distances between individuals.

A lot of us have given up the tradition of sending cards altogether, thinking there are easier ways to greet others. For one, you can send messages through your mobile phone or through social networking sites. But if you think about it, will they be as special and as meaningful as Christmas cards?