The invention of the Christmas card as we know it today is credited to Sir Henry Cole, the same man who created the Penny Post system in London. The very first Christmas card, which of course was designed to create publicity for the Penny Post manifested in 1843 in London, England. It featured a drawing by John Callcoot Horsely of a picture perfect family drinking wine around a table. One of these cards was auctioned for almost 20,000 U.S. in 2005, but back then the cards sold for a shilling each. The Christmas card did not make Sir Henry Cole much that first year as only 1000 of them were printed.

Another unique thing about the xmas card of that era is that they rarely depicted snowy or religious themes. They were a bit more pagan in nature and featured motifs like children drinking wine, fairies and flowers that were reminiscent of the approach of spring. Sweet and sentimental pictures of children and animals were also favorite Christmas card motifs in England.

The Christmas card did not make its debut in North America until almost 30 years after they were first circulated in Great Britain. The cards, which were first printed in 1875 by printer Louis Prang fell quickly out of style when the much cheaper and expedient postcard replaced the fancy and frilly Victorian style christmas cards. The tradition of sending Christmas cards in the United States did not enjoy resurgence until the 1920s when sending elaborate Christmas cards in an envelope became fashionable again.

During the twentieth century xmas cards evolved along with times. Christmas card mailings during both World Wars boasted patriotic themes. In the 1950s, Norman Rockwell and cartoon like illustrations captured the Christmas spirit. From the 1960s on there seems to have always been a fascination with more old fashioned retro images, particularly those that are religious, Victorian and Edwardian in style. Home made Christmas cards have also enjoyed a revival thanks to the popularity of hobbies such as scrap booking.

Nowadays you can buy Christmas cards individually or you can buy sets of Christmas cards boasting different themes. It is estimated that over 1.4 million people received Christmas cards in 2006.

However will the popularity of the Christmas card last? Social anthropologists and business specialists say that the traditional christams card that is sent through snail mail is soon to meet its demise thanks to the advent of technology, email and the accessibility of free e-cards. It is predicted that email and ecard programs will put the Christmas card business out of order simply because it is easier to customize cards online. Although technology has indeed helped us make friends with trees again in terms of preserving the ecology and saving paper, there is still nothing as personal and heartfelt as a genuine Christmas card that is signed, sealed and delivered through the mail.

Did you know the invention of the xmas card was credited to Sir Henry Cole? The very first Christmas card, was designed to create publicity for the Penny Post manifested in 1843 in London, England. Last year it was estimated that over 1.4 million people received Christmas cards in 2006. Find out what makes xmas Cards a greeting card to send this holiday season.