The Lost Art of the Christmas Card

Before we dive into the nuances of modern card-sending, let's take a brief journey through the fascinating history of Christmas cards.

The tradition is often thought to have begun in Victorian England in the 1840s, when Sir Henry Cole—frustrated with the tedious task of handwriting holiday greetings—collaborated with artist John Horsley to create the first commercial Christmas card. This initial design featured three panels: a central scene of a family enjoying a meal, flanked by scenes of charitable giving and a simple greeting: “A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year To You.”

These early cards were expensive and primarily accessible to the wealthy. However, as printing technologies advanced and postal systems became more efficient, Christmas cards gradually became affordable and widespread. By the early 20th century, sending holiday cards had become a cherished tradition across Europe and North America.

In our hyper-digital world, Christmas cards have taken on an even more significant meaning. They represent:

1. Intentional Connection: Unlike a quick social media comment or text message, a physical card requires thought, effort, and genuine intention. Selecting a card, writing a personalized message, addressing an envelope, and mailing it demonstrates a level of care that digital communication rarely achieves.

2. Tangible Memory: Physical cards can be displayed, saved, and revisited. Many families have boxes of holiday cards from years past, serving as time capsules of relationships, life changes, and memories.

3. Personal Touch: Handwritten notes carry a unique emotional weight. The imperfect loops of handwriting, the occasional crossed-out word, the choice of pen—these details communicate something deeply human that typing cannot replicate.

Beyond the practical aspects, Christmas cards represent an emotional investment. They're a way of saying, "You matter to me. I'm thinking of you. Our connection is valuable."

In a world that often feels fragmented and fast-paced, the humble Christmas card stands as a testament to human connection—slow, intentional, and deeply meaningful.