The Origin and Use of the Christmas Card

My wife has already started shopping for them. We have even gotten a dozen with our grandson's picture on them from Sears. Within the next two weeks, people will be making out their lists, buying, and mailing Christmas Cards to friends and relatives all over the world. Many individuals consider it a tradition to send out cards. There are even cards that are considered priceless and in up in different museums around the world.

Many cards are sent out by businesses to remind people that they are there for them. They sort of kill two birds with one stone. They send out holiday cheer and at the same time advertise their business. Some of these cards even have a coupon stamped on them. All with the intent to draw in business before the Holiday of the year arrives.

There are cards of all types. There are funny , religious, seasonal, personal, and family type of cards. Some individuals refer to them as Holiday instead of Christmas cards. There are some Christan groups that don't advocate the use of Christmas cards. The Jehovah's Witnesses are one such group.

However, for many person's, it is a way to express their feelings to one another about the Holiday Season. After all, you can't buy gifts for everyone. Still, it is a way to let friends and relatives know that you are thinking about them over the holidays.

Many boxes of Christmas cards are sold as fund raisers for different groups and organizations. Many person's will put a small Christmas seal on the lid of the envelope, too. Christmas seals are usually obtained for fund raisers as well. I remember Boys Town always use to send seals to my father. He would always send them a check as a donation .

The first commercial cards were started in London in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. The card featured an illustration by John Callcott Horsley. It had an image of a child drinking wine with the family. Although it was controversial at the time, it was the start of a major industry. Three years later, Cole sold a box of 1000 cards for a schilling. Early cards had designs of flowers , faeries, and spring time items on them. They were to remind people that spring would soon be coming.