How Christmas Cards Began and Became a Holiday Tradition

Explores how Christmas cards started, how they spread around the world, and why sending them became a holiday tradition.

How Christmas Cards Became a Tradition

Christmas cards are one of the most recognizable parts of the holiday season. They fill mailboxes with cheerful messages, colorful designs, and warm wishes. Some are funny, some are artistic, and some focus on the Nativity story. But this tradition didn’t always exist. Christmas cards began less than 200 years ago, and their story shows how technology, creativity, and kindness came together to form a new holiday custom.

The First Christmas Card

The very first Christmas card was created in 1843 in England. A man named Sir Henry Cole, who was very busy during the holiday season, wanted a quicker way to send greetings to friends and family. Instead of writing long letters, he asked an artist, John Callcott Horsley, to design a single card he could send to many people.

The card had three panels:

the center showed a family celebrating together
the sides showed people helping the poor
underneath was the message: “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.”

Sir Henry printed 1,000 copies. It was a simple idea, but it became an entirely new way to share holiday cheer.

Why Christmas Cards Became Popular

At first, only wealthy families could afford printed cards because they were expensive. But several changes helped Christmas cards spread to everyone.

Cheaper Printing

Advances in color printing made cards easier and cheaper to produce. Artists began creating colorful, detailed designs that appealed to people of all ages.

Mail Improvements

The postal system improved in the late 1800s:

mail became faster
delivery became more reliable
postage became cheaper

This made it easier for families to send cards to loved ones far away.

Growing Traditions

As Christmas became more family-centered, cards became a way to stay connected, share warm wishes, and celebrate the season.

Victorian Christmas Cards

During the Victorian era, Christmas cards became works of art. Some were decorated with:

flowers
winter scenes
angels
children playing
animals in fancy clothing
humorous cartoons

Surprisingly, some Victorian cards featured strange or spooky images, like giant insects or frogs dressed in suits. These quirky designs were fashionable at the time and showed the playfulness of early card makers.

Christmas Cards Around the World

Once Christmas cards became popular in England, they spread to other countries.

United States

American printers began creating cards with snowy landscapes, Santa Claus, and holiday cheer. One famous illustrator, Louis Prang, is often called the “Father of the American Christmas Card.”

Australia

Because Christmas is in summer, cards often show sunny beaches, wildlife, and warm weather scenes.

Germany

Germany produced some of the earliest and most detailed printed cards. Many included traditional winter landscapes and old-fashioned holiday scenes.

Asia

Christmas cards became popular in countries like Japan and the Philippines as global traditions spread. Designs often mix local art styles with classic holiday themes.

Modern Christmas Cards

Today, cards come in many forms:

traditional paper cards
photo cards
handmade cards
pop-up cards
musical cards
digital e-cards

Some families create custom cards with pictures of important memories from the year. Others enjoy choosing cards with meaningful messages or beautiful artwork.

Even with technology, paper cards remain special because they can be displayed on walls, mantels, and Christmas trees.

Why Christmas Cards Matter

Christmas cards remind people that someone is thinking of them. They bring joy, connect distant friends, and help keep traditions alive. Whether handmade or store-bought, each card carries kindness, creativity, and a personal touch.

They remain a symbol of friendship, generosity, and the spirit of the holiday season.

Kid-Friendly Summary

Christmas cards started in England in 1843 as a faster way to send holiday greetings. Better printing and cheaper mail helped them become popular. Cards spread across the world and now come in many styles, from simple designs to fancy pop-ups. Today, sending cards is a way to share kindness and stay connected during Christmas.

Fun Facts

✉️ The very first Christmas card sold for one shilling, which was expensive at the time.
🎨 Victorian cards sometimes had silly designs like dancing animals or giant insects.
📬 Over a billion Christmas cards are sent each year in the United States alone.
🎶 Some modern cards play songs or light up when opened.