Christmas Cards

Ever since Sir Henry Cole commissioned John Calcott Horsley in 1843 to create some Christmas cards because he was too busy to write to his friends like he usually did during this holiday, they have been a popular way for people to send Yule greetings to friends and family.

No one truly expected these cards, printed first in black and white, and later colored by hand, to become a tradition. However, once the printer sold off the leftover cards from the original 1,000 cards printed for “Old King Cole,” people loved them.

Following the popularity of this new way of acknowledging Christmas and sending greetings to loved ones, creating Christmas cards became a big business. It also offered new opportunities for artists to create beautiful works of Yule themed art to be reproduced on cards that would be shared with many people. These artists would be paid and their art would be seen.

Over the years, the types of greetings have changed. The choices include serious, religious, funny, along with specialty cards for husbands, wives, grandparents, lovers and just about any other type you can think of. For a very long time, choosing Yule cards was one of the favorite activities in preparation for the holidays. Gift cards also became quite popular because they provided a simple way to give the gift of money to loved ones who lived far away, or were just hard to shop for.

There have even been crafts and decorating ideas formed around Christmas cards. Many mothers, grandmothers and daughters used these cards following the season’s end to string together and make decorative wastebaskets. During the season, each eagerly anticipated card was immediately taped or tacked to frame a doorway, or define a mantel. The cards were also saved to use on next year’s gifts as name tags.

As with many other things, the introduction to personal computers and printers changed things regarding Christmas cards. Now everyone who owns, or has access to, a computer and a printer can design their own cards. There are even programs to buy to do it for you. With this software, all you really need is the proper cardstock, a printer and color ink. With a little time and effort, these cards can be quite beautiful and meaningful creations that come straight from the heart.

Another way that computers have changed the system of sending Yule cards is through the advent of ecards, or egreetings. Some very nice free ones can be found all over the internet. You can also find some pay websites with extra special egreetings. All of these sites allow you to add your own personal message as well as music. The really nice thing is that you save on postage and can send as many of these as you want or need to for free.

No matter what type you choose for your Christmas cards, they will never go out of style. This will always remain the time honored tradition that was started so many years ago. People will always love sending them, and receiving them.