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Christmas Cards: a historical look at a popular tradition

Almost all of us have at one time or another, sent or received a Christmas card. These printed greetings are a mainstay of the holiday season in the United States and many other countries around the world. But have you ever stopped to wonder how this tradition started? Who sent the first Christmas card?

Most historians trace the origins of Christmas cards in the year 1843 in London, England. More than half of the 19th century in Britain, it was customary to send a congratulations message written by the hand to friends and relatives, wishing them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. In 1843, an Englishman, Sir Henry Cole, decided he was too busy to have time to write these notes personally. So instead, he instructed his friend, John Callcott Horsley, also an artist, to paint Christmas cards with an idea of the gay scene and a flag with a salute. Sir Henry was gain time, while the signature and sending letters. However, as reported, Mr. Horsley may have represented the spirits as well, as it appeared a number of children who were enjoying a glass of wine at the painted scene. Sir Henry Cole, embarrassed by the scandal and controversy arising only sent some Christmas cards in the following years.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, Kate Greenaway, a writer and illustrator of children in London, developed the idea of Christmas cards pre-printed. Mrs. Greenway was much more sensitive to the content of "suitability" of the days, and quickly gained cards popularity.

Until then, all Christmas cards sent to the United States were imported from England. In 1874, a lithograph print U.S. Louis Prang, has started to print Christmas cards to sell in the U.S. For this reason, Mr. Prang is sometimes called the "father of American Christmas card." Mr. Prang cards with snow scenes, flowers, birds, burning homes, and most of all the children playing with toys. Today, some of their intricate designs are favored by collectors.

The activity of printing Christmas cards became the pillar of printer manufacturers and specialty fixed. Designs often followed the historical times. During the first two World War II war global issues have become very patriotic. The 1950s brought a mixture of nostalgic items, sentimental and religious. Some other, more maps Chance produced during this period show the evolution of attitudes in this decade.

In the past decade, U.S. began to see a decrease in the volume of letters sent. To some extent this is due to improved technology and communication snapshot. With the advent of Internet, many people choose to send free e-cards rather than the publication of a paper greeting card. Better communication phone has also played an important role, since most people have cell phones that offer a very cheap rate and free long distance.

Even with the decline in recent years, the Census Bureau estimated in spite of nearly 2 billion Christmas cards are sent to the United States each year. Little is known about Sir Henry Cole, who was something big. From its humble beginnings in the mid-19th century London, the industry of Christmas cards became a giant of thousands of million dollars that will surely continue to grow and evolve in the future.

About the Author

The Christmas Tree Storage Shop offers time-saving holiday products such as Christmas ornament storage boxes. Visit us for a Christmas tree storage bag or an artificial Christmas tree stand.

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