At this time of year we hand out, send or receive Christmas Cards. Do we know why we do this? Is it because it is what you do at Christmas time? Is it a tradition? Is it the only time of year you can communicate with others that you might not do on a regular basis?

Do you know the history of the Christmas card? How the purchase of Christmas cards has grown to be such a commercial and money spender for Christmas shoppers.

Well, Christmas cards originated in England over 150 years ago, when the first 'Penny Post' public postal deliveries began. The Penny Post was established by the British government and gave the British population through a minimum charge of one penny for carriage and delivery between any two places in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Officially the first Christmas card was sent by Sir Henry in 1843. He requested John Calcott Horsley to paint a card displaying a happy family embracing one another, sipping wine and enjoying the festivities. On the card it said “ A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.

After the first Christmas card in 1843, the next one was not until 1862, when a printer Charles Goodall printed small desgins and wrote Merry Christmas on the cards. As printing methods improved, Christmas cards were produced in large numbers from 1860 onwards.

In the late 1800 and early 1900’s Victorian children’s writer Kate Greenaway and illustrater Frances Brundage and Ellen H Clapsaddle designed elborated cards. For example, cards were decorated with fringe, silk and satin, some fit together like maps and puzzle and othere were pop-up cards. In the Victorian era, “trick cards” were the most poupular. It always featured some element of surprise by turing the page, pulling a string or moving a lever would be something marvellous revelled.

Today, as we have seen in the shops, Christmas cards show a variety of different scenes. From traditional religious pictures to ones that show winter scenes, jokes, or Santa Clause.

The evolution of Christmas card has grown dramatically. But the purpose behind the Christmas card has not change and that is the spreading of Christmas cheer.

When you hand out your next Christmas card to your customers, friends, and family you will now know the history on how this tradition came to be such a huge aspect of the holiday season.

Have a very Merry Christmas.