Though Christmas has been celebrated since the 4th century AD, the first known usage of any Christmas time greeting, "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" (thus incorporating two greetings) was in an informal letter written by an English admiral in 1699.
The first Christmas card of 19 th century England carried the very same phrase. Every Christmas, sounds of Merry Christmas fills the air as people strive to spread cheer amongst themselves.
There are many traditions and customs which have been woven around Christmas over the years. No other festival the worldover is celebrated with as much gusto and enthusiasm as Christmas. One of the most popular customs of Christmas is the practice of sending Christmas cards to friends, family and relatives wishing them all the best for the season and wishes for the New Year as well. Christmas cards have gone on to becoming the largest seeling window for greeting card manufacturers all over the world.
Christmas Greeting Cards
In 1843, in London, Sir Henry Cole introduced the very first commercial Christmas cards which had a delightful illustration on it by John Callcott Horsley. The illustration which depicted a family with a small child, all sitting together and drinking wine, and it did raise some debate at that time but eventually worked. The penny post which had been introduced 3 years earlier was also a product of Henry Cole's imagination. A batch of 1000 cards was printed and they sold for a shilling each; in December 2005, one of these cards was auctioned for nearly £9000. That was the signal that Christmas cards had arrived.
The 20 th century saw Christmas cards undergo a lot of change as the printing techniques evolved. Patriotic themes ruled the roost during the two World Wars. The 1950's are particularly remembered for reproducing cartoon depiction and the risqué humor on the cards. These days of course one finds everything from the religious to the sentimental themes. Cards depicting scenes from the Victorian and Edwardian era too are rather popular. Today they are extremely popular and have given rise to some of the biggest tycoons of our times, single handedly propelling the greeting card Industry on the profits made during Christmas
Take a look at some of these other popular Christmas greetings and customs.
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