Christmas Cards

Christmas cards are a wonderful way to tell the people you love that you remember them on a very important world holiday. There are other times of the year you might consider offering your love to family and friends, but it really counts at Christmas time. Christmas cards are a time honoured tradition. The question always becomes what should you say in the Christmas card? What type of greeting should you give? We have some common statements that are always found in cards: “Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” “Peace, Love, and Joy Bless You This Season” “Merry Christmas”

There are also some less traditional greetings that come from some of our American Governors. “Peace- Paz, Paiz, Pace, Frieden, Mir, Shalom, Heiwa, Salam, Heping” was one example that came from Governor Ted Kulongoski. He seems to have used just about every word for peace in his Christmas Card. You might consider the same. “Where charity stands, watching and faith holds wide the door the dark night wakes- the glory breaks, Christmas comes once more” was written in a card by Phillips Brooks.

These are just a few of the more famous statements famous individuals or governors have made. There are hundreds of greetings throughout history that have been used because of the meanings they project, and the welcoming feelings they offer. You may even consider a more humorous approach to the Christmas card greetings: “Oh, for the good old days when people would stop Christmas shopping when they ran out of money.” This was written by an unnamed individual. Other greetings date back in history like this next one: “A hearty Christmas greeting. Happy and free from care may you ever be, Merry days, jolly days, may you ever see.” This greeting is from 1892. “I wish you gladness friend of mine and so this card conveys Good will and cheer in every line for this rare day of days. Christmas Greetings to you.” This greeting is not as old as our last one, but still used today. It came from 1924.

The History of Christmas Cards
Christmas cards have not always existed. In fact, history tells us the first greeting card ever made was in the 1400’s as a Valentine’s greeting. It took until the mid 1800’s for Christmas cards to be sent out. At least this is the official word. It is possible that cards existed before 1843, but it was this year in England that the first card was mass produced as a holiday option. This card portrayed a family drinking in a lovely home setting. The card was not widely accepted because of the spirits, so it was changed to be less “contested.” Many of the first Christmas cards did not have a Christmas theme. Instead they were flowers, animals, or kids on the front, with a Christmas greeting on the inside. The British Royal family was one of the first to send out Christmas cards in the 1840’s. The cards from the royal family were mainly a focus on the family and how things may have changed over the year.

In 1875 Christmas cards were now the norm and German Louis Prang began the first American Christmas card corporation. By two years later, Prang was now shipping over 5 million cards around the world. Christmas cards have undergone many changes since the very first one was produced. Today we have hundreds of options regarding images on the front. Some of the cards have family photos, jokes, snow scenes, or polar bears. Electronic Christmas cards are extremely popular due to their ability to be sent anywhere at any time. Vodaphone released the first mobile phone Christmas greeting in 1993.

When SMS messaging began the first greeting was “Merry Christmas”.

In Britain very few Christmas cards had a religious connotation. In fact it was 1 out of every 100 sold that referred to the holiday in a religious manner. As 2004 ended the German Post sent out 20 million stickers to be used on the envelopes and cards for Christmas. These stickers also contained smells such as gingerbread, honey, cinnamon, and Christmas tree.

A card created in 1843 was found and sold at auction. This was the most expensive christmas card to ever be sold. The sale occurred in 2001. It sold for $40.000 or 20.000 pounds to an English resident.