Christmas Greeting Cards

Christmas Cards

Christmas greeting cards are such a firm tradition during the Christmas season it's hard to imagine a time once they were not available. Surprisingly, the concept for these type of greetings was not another product of yankee ingenuity, but sprang from the creativity of an Englishman in early 1800's. Sir Henry Cole would be a wealthy philanthropist who sent handwritten letters to any or all his friends during the holidays. His list became so long that it became impossible for him to hand write all his Christmas cards. In 1843 he finally hired an artist to create a picture from the poor and disadvantaged, that they subsequently had printed onto good paper stock. The concept caught on with the British and stirred a demand for similar products, which spawned companies that produced them in mass volume.

For over 30 years, Americans ordered Christmas cards from British companies because nobody produced cards in the United States. Quick to seize the opportunity to begin his own business in America, a German immigrant began the very first company in American that mass produced Christmas greeting cards for the general public. Louis Prang offered items that Americans were eager to purchase for their friendly, homey sayings. His first ones were neutral scenes that consumers purchased; his later ones depicted the Christmas story taken from biblical passages like Luke 2:11, "For unto you comes into the world this day in the town of David a Saviour, that is Christ the Lord." Christmas cards depicting the story of the Christ child quickly became his most popular products.

 

The selection of appropriate art has expanded through the years, providing consumers without only reproductions of famous Victorian scenes but also designs from American artists. Norman Rockwell's heartwarming, homespun artistry continues to be reprinted today for some of the most nostalgic Christmas greeting cards available. The famous Kewpie doll creator and artist, Rosie O'Neill's artwork continues to be in high demand through reproduction printings in addition to sales of other holiday collectibles. Humorous American artists for example Charles Shultz, the creator of 'Peanuts', also provides a delightful and humorous twist for Christmas cards.

The demand for these items will most likely continue so long as the United States Postal Product is in existence! However, no matter what the latest design or trendiest theme marketed to be able to sell these products, the ones that depict scenes of the real meaning of the holiday continue to be the most popular. Christmas greeting cards displaying the nativity scene, Christ child, wise men, joyful angels, and worshipping shepherds still top the sales available on the market. It is good to know that in a changing world, some things never change! "Jesus Christ exactly the same yesterday, and today, and forever.