Christmas cards are very popular greeting cards expressing goodwill during the Christmas season. They are given to friends, acquaintances and relatives with other Christmas gifts. Christmas cards display warmth and affection and are an integral part of Christmas festivities. The history of Christmas cards can be traced in England. Today Christmas cards are huge money-spinners and come in all conceivable shapes and designs.
The year of 1843, is most notable in the Christmas card history as it was in this year, we find the first Christmas card. Sir Henry Cole who was the first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, requested his friend John Calcott Horsley a British narrative painter to paint a greeting card. It was printed in lithography by Jobbins of Warwick Court, Holborn and hand colored by a professional colorer Mason. The card was not a success and drew a lot of hostile attention. But the idea caught on. In the Christmas card history we find very elaborate and decorative cards in the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. Familiar shapes were fans, crescents, bells, birds, candles and even plum puddings. The cards were a source of delight to the persons who received it. Many idle hours were spent discussing the relative merits and demerits of a card design or card content.
The Christmas card content history is also remarkable. Christian symbols were used like, nativity, decorated Christmas tree and the Star of Bethlehem. Other common activities during Advent or after Christmas also found a place in the cards. Typically these activities were either feasting or partying or dancing. Share the magic of Christmas cards with Christmas Carnivals. |
