Christmas is not just about sending special Christmas gifts, shopping corporate Christmas baskets and hampers and decorating your house with different Christmas ornaments and decorations. It’s also about thinking about the real essence of the Christmas celebration. There are also different feature of Christmas you should consider – like Christmas cards. Know the history of Christmas with the following facts and Christmas trivia.
The first Christmas card was printed in 1843 in England. The card was printed on stiff cardboard measuring 3 ¼ x 5 1⁄8 inches. The card depicted a family having a party with the greeting “Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to You” written below using sepia. Sepia was a dark brown ink made from the excretions of cuttlefish. The cards cost 1 shilling each. The first mass production of cards was recorded in 1860 by the company of Charles Goodall & Sons. They printed the message of the season on 3 x 2 inch cards which were referred to as visiting cards. The cards were similar to the current business cards with a similar purpose.
Christmas Cards History in Early Times…
In the 19th century, the greeting cards progressively changed with the fashion. The Art Deco era of the 1920’s inspired people to hand paint cards with elegantly printed messages. Walt Disney productions influenced card production in the 30’s which saw the printing of animated cards of Popeye and Mickey Mouse. The advancing technology brought about the creation of a myriad of cards. Humor was introduced in the 50’s where some of the cards had Santa Claus lounging on a sofa. The themes deviated from the traditional pictures of Jesus, his parents, the shepherds and Magi. The cards were embossed and had golden ribbons attached to them.
Christmas Cards History in 70’s and 90’s
The 70’s saw the presentation of a skinny or rather a lean Santa who was into the fitness fad. Fine art graced the cards of the 80’s with the return of traditional Christmas themes in the 90’s. The promotion of computers in the 90’s and the invention of the internet opened up the playing field of card production and dissemination. The internet has enabled people to make and send cards without having to handle ink or paper. Those who are die-hard tradionals will go through the whole process of making lists, buying the cards, writing notes to each person, addressing, stamping and mailing the cards a week or more before Christmas day. Those who are closer receive hand delivered cards. Not every home has a computer, so those who are familiar with the tradition of cards at Christmas buy and send them to their loved ones and friends.
Christmas Greeting Innovations: The Commence of Christmas Ecards
Cards made or ordered via the internet are called E-cards. Card companies have become wise and sell their cards on-line. Gone are the days when one could send a multitude of cards free of charge. Today, one has to have a credit card or an account with one of the many on-line charge companies to purchase and send E-cards as well as your recipient’s on-line mailing address. Technology or not, the tangible handmade, or store bought card is the most sentimental way to go.
