The history of the Christmas and greeting card

Today you can send greetings in a second, yet a paper card is still a special sign of attention. Here is how the first Christmas card appeared, why cards became a mass product in the 19th century, where Easter cards came from and how the tradition lives on in Ukraine.

You can order a bouquet with a card in our flower baskets and flowers in a box sections.

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Key milestones

The first Christmas card

In 1840 Britain introduced the Penny Post: sending a letter became cheap and correspondence grew rapidly. In 1843 the civil servant and patron of the arts Henry Cole, who lacked the time to answer all his acquaintances, commissioned the artist John Callcott Horsley to design a Christmas card. About a thousand copies were printed. Its central scene showed a family at a festive table — and the fact that a child was among those raising glasses caused controversy at the time.

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How cards became a mass product

• Postcards. In 1869 Austria-Hungary issued the first official postcard — no envelope needed and cheaper than a letter.
• Chromolithography made it possible to print bright colour images in large runs.
• The USA. In the 1870s the German émigré Louis Prang began publishing Christmas cards in Boston, and he is called "the father of the American Christmas card".
• Motifs included Christmas trees, Santa Claus, snow, birds, holly and mistletoe, and later angels and nativity scenes.

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Easter cards

In the late 19th century Easter cards spread in the wake of Christmas cards. Popular motifs were painted eggs, chicks, rabbits, the first spring flowers and pussy willow branches, and in the Ukrainian tradition, pysanky and embroidery.

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Cards in Ukraine

In the early 20th century illustrated postcards with folk motifs were printed in Ukrainian cities. In Soviet times religious holidays were discouraged, and the New Year card became the main one. After 1991 Christmas and Easter cards returned, and today Ukrainian artists and illustrators create original series featuring Petrykivka painting, embroidery and winter landscapes.

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The card today

• People often keep a paper card for years, unlike messenger texts.
• A few handwritten words turn even a simple bouquet into a personal gift.
• Making a card yourself is easy — ideas in "DIY Valentine cards".

For the traditions of the holiday itself, see "Christmas in Ukraine".

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FAQ

When did the first Christmas card appear?

In 1843 in Britain: it was commissioned by Henry Cole and drawn by John Callcott Horsley.

Why did cards become popular in the 19th century?

Postage became cheap and colour printing affordable, so cards could be produced in large numbers.

What should I write in a holiday card?

A short personal wish — a few sincere words are worth more than a long poem.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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