History of Christmas Cards and Christmas Party Invitations

LAFAYETTE, La. - Sept. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- Read About the History of Christmas Cards and Christmas Party Invitations Development

It is believed that the practice of sending Christmas cards began in the United Kingdom around 1840s by Sir Henry Cole. At that time, Sir Henry worked for the U. K. government, a civil servant, and was very interested in the their new post office. He wondered how he could convince the people, both rich and poor, during those days to use it more by. You can view lots of modern day greeting cards for Christmas, plus creative, colorful, and unique Christmas invitation wording ideas at http://www.invitationsbyu.com/wording-christmas-invitations.htm and other e-commerce websites.

The Origin of Christmas Cards

While thinking up the idea of a Christmas card, Sir Henry collaborated with his friend John Horsley, who just happened to be an artist of those times. Between the two of them, they created the first design of that first card and sold them, via mass production, for 1 shilling each, which is equivalent to about 8¢ today. However, it would be worth much more today as the original cards had three panels. The two outside panels depicted people caring for the elderly and poor, while the center panel showed a typical family enjoying a large Christmas dinner. However, there were lots of objections to this early card because it showed a child with a glass of wine. However, overall, it was well received and became very popular.

First Postal Service and Deliveries

In 1840, the first postal service for the ordinary people was started when the first 'penny post' began with its public postal deliveries. Prior to that time, only very rich people could afford to send anything via the postal agencies. However, with the creation and expansion of the new post office, the commoners were able to buy a penny stamp primarily because new railways were being built, this greatly expanded, the means of travel. The railroads could carry lots more mail than the horse that had been previously used. Plus, trains could go much longer distances and a lot faster. These cards continue to gain in popularity in the U.K., especially when they began being included in an envelope for an additional one half penny, or one half the cost of a regular letter.

The famous artist, William Egley, engraved a card that illustrated some of Charles Dickens's books and is on display in the British Museum. By the 1900s, this popular custom had spread throughout Europe, especially in Germany.

Printing Progress and Variations of the Christmas Cards

As the printing methods, quality, and cost improved from the early days, these cards for Christmas began to really gain in popularity and began to be produced in larger quantities during the 1860s and onward. Believe it or not, due to the explosive gain in quantity, during the 1870s, the cost of sending a Christmas card actually decreased to half a penny. This reduction in price allowed even more people to send these type stationery cards.

The early cards would usually include a picture of some sort, usually including the Nativity scene. During the late Victorian times, the more popular images or pictures included the English bird, a robin, and breath taking snow scenes. During these time, the postmen were also know as 'Robin Postmen', perhaps because of the red uniforms they wore. These Snow scenes were widely popular, as they tended to remind people of the very bad winter that happened during the year.

Christmas Cards Coming to the United States

Although very expensive, it is believed that the first Christmas Cards appeared in the U. S. during the late 1840s, but the common folks simply could not afford them. Then, during the 1870s, a German printer named Louis Prang who worked on many of the early cards in the U. K., began mass-producing them in quantity, which allowed more people afford to buy them. His early cards featured plants, flowers, and lots of kids. Then, in 1915 John C. Hall and his two brothers created Hallmark Cards, which remains the largest greeting card maker today.

During the 1910s and 1920s, it became very popular to make your own cards, which were often unusual shapes and included special features such as ribbon and foil attached to them. However, these hand made, specially designed cards, were usually too delicate to be sent through the postal service, so they were usually passed out by hand. Today, these greeting cards have a wide variety of images and pictures, including wintry pictures, jokes, Santa Claus, or romantic scenes in past times. During more modern times, charities find that selling their own Christmas Cards is an excellent way to raise money during the holidays.

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