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 holiday greetings are a mainstay of the Christmas season in the United States and many other countries around the world.  But did you ever stop to wonder how this tradition got started?  Who sent the first Christmas card?

Most historians trace the origins of Christmas cards back to the year 1843 in London, England.  During the mid-19th century in Britain, it was customary to send hand written greetings to one's friends and relatives, wishing them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  In 1843, one Englishman, Sir Henry Cole, decided he was far too busy to take the time to personally write these notes.  So instead, he commissioned his friend, John Callcott Horsley, also an artist, to paint some cards with a Christmas scene of merriment and a banner with a holiday greeting.  Sir Henry's idea was to save time by just signing and sending the cards.  However, as the story goes, Mr. Horsley may have depicted too much merriment, as it appeared a number of children were enjoying a glass of wine in the painted scene.  Sir Henry Cole, embarrassed by the resulting scandal and controversy, only sent out a few Christmas cards in subsequent years.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Kate Greenaway, a children's writer and illustrator in London, developed the idea of preprinted Christmas cards.  Ms. Greenway was much more sensitive to the "appropriate content" of the day, and her cards quickly grew in popularity.

Up until this time, all Christmas cards sent in the U.S. were imported from England.  In 1874, an American lithograph printer, Louis Prang, began printing Christmas cards to sell in the U.S.  Because of this, Mr. Prang is sometimes referred to as the "father of the American Christmas card."  Mr. Prang's cards featured snow scenes, flowers, birds, burning fireplaces, and most of all children playing with toys.  Today some of his intricate designs are favored by collectors.

The business of printing Christmas cards soon became the mainstay of stationary manufacturers and specialty printers.  Designs often followed the historical times.  During both World War I and World War II the themes became very patriotic.  The 1950's brought a mix of nostalgic, sentimental, and religious themes.  Some other, more risque cards produced during that time suggest the changing of attitudes during that decade.

In the last decade, the United States has begun to see a decline in the volume of cards being sent.  To some extent, this is blamed on improvements in technology and instant communication.  With the advent of the internet, many people now choose to send free e-cards instead of mailing a paper greeting card.  Better telephone communication has also played a roll, as most people now have cell phones that offer them very inexpensive rates and free long distance.

Even with the decline in recent years, the U.S. Census Bureau still estimates that nearly 2 billion Christmas cards are sent in the United States each year.  Little did Sir Henry Cole know, he was on to something great.  From its humble beginnings in mid-19th century London, the Christmas card industry has blossomed into a multi-billion dollar giant that will surely continue to grow and evolve in the future.