Christmas card

Christmas card. A decorated piece of card stock or paper, often featuring seasonal imagery and messages, exchanged during the Christmas holiday season to convey greetings and good wishes. The practice originated in Victorian Britain and has since become a widespread Western tradition, evolving with changes in printing technology, postal service systems, and social customs. Today, they serve as both a personal gesture and a significant commercial product within the greeting card industry.

History

The first commercial example is widely credited to Sir Henry Cole, a senior civil servant and founding member of the Victoria and Albert Museum, who commissioned artist John Callcott Horsley to design a card in 1843. This initial batch, printed by Jobbins of Warwick Court in London using lithography, was sold for one shilling each. The concept gained momentum with improvements to the Uniform Penny Post in the United Kingdom and the development of chromolithography, making colorful prints more affordable. In the United States, the first cards were produced in the 1870s by Louis Prang, a Prussian-born lithographer operating in Boston, who is often called the "father of the American Christmas card." The popularity of the tradition was further cemented by the establishment of efficient postal services like the United States Postal Service and the adoption of the Christmas stamp.

Design and production

Early designs often depicted non-religious, sentimental scenes of spring, flowers, or fairy tales, with the now-iconic holly, robins, trees, and Santa Claus becoming dominant later. The influential Arts and Crafts Movement, led by figures like William Morris, promoted intricate, handcrafted aesthetics. Mass production was revolutionized by companies such as Hallmark Cards, founded by Joyce Hall in Kansas City, and American Greetings of Cleveland. Modern production involves techniques from digital printing to foil stamping, with many designs licensed from properties like Disney or Warner Bros.. The United States and the United Kingdom remain major centers for the industry, alongside significant production in China.

Cultural impact and significance

The exchange became a cornerstone of holiday season social ritual, reinforcing family and community bonds. It played a role in standardizing the iconography of the holiday, popularizing images like sleigh rides, carolers, and nativity scenes. During World War I and World War II, cards were used for propaganda and morale, with organizations like the Red Cross producing special editions. They have been referenced and parodied in countless works of popular culture, from the television special A Charlie Brown Christmas to films like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. The tradition also significantly influences annual volumes for postal services worldwide.

Modern practices and trends

While physical card exchange remains popular, practices have diversified considerably. The rise of e-cards and social media platforms like Facebook has created digital alternatives. Many families now incorporate photographs into custom-designed cards, a trend popularized by companies like Shutterfly. Corporate cards from businesses and non-profits are a major subset, often used for client relations and fundraising. Environmental concerns have spurred demand for cards made from recycled paper or supporting sustainability initiatives. Charitable organizations, such as UNICEF and the World Wildlife Fund, often sell cards as a fundraising tool.

Collecting and preservation

They are a recognized area of philately and ephemera collecting. Rare early examples, particularly those from Victorian publishers like Raphael Tuck & Sons or featuring works by notable illustrators such as Kate Greenaway, can be valuable. Major institutions holding significant collections include the British Museum, the New-York Historical Society, and the Smithsonian Institution. Enthusiast societies, like the Christmas Card Society in the UK, promote the hobby. Condition, rarity, age, and the fame of the artist or publisher are key factors determining value for collectors and auction houses like Sotheby's.

Category:Christmas traditions Category:Greeting cards Category:Ephemera