| I thought, with the holiday season nearly upon us, | | | | producing greeting cards when cheaper imports came |
| that it might be entertaining to look into the history | | | | onto the market. |
| of the greeting card. I discovered an eclectic blend of | | | | - The first official White House card was issued in the |
| history, numerical facts, and amusing anecdotes. So | | | | year of 1953 by President Eisenhower. 2000 cards |
| let's take a moment during this hectic holiday season | | | | were sent out by the White house in the year 1961. |
| to relax and learn a little something about the | | | | The amount grew to 1.4 million by the year 2005. |
| Christmas Card. | | | | - Today's Christmas cards can be bought as singles |
| - The custom of sending greeting cards dates back | | | | or in large boxes. Individual cards are usually sent to |
| to Ancient China. In order to celebrate the New | | | | somebody special, while the boxed ones are very |
| Year, the ancient Chinese delighted in sending | | | | helpful for your more general Christmas Mailing List. |
| messages of good will. Early Egyptians utilized | | | | The majority of holiday cards are sold in box form. |
| papyrus scrolls to send their greetings. New Year's | | | | - In 2006, 2 billion people in the US sent cards. |
| tidings were being produced in Germany as early as | | | | - That means, 85% of people in the US mailed cards |
| 1400. | | | | in 2006. |
| - The origin of the Christmas Card is in England. They | | | | - Approximately 33% of the holiday cards purchased |
| are a product of boys practicing their writing skills. | | | | each year contain a religious message. |
| The boys would practice by making cards for their | | | | - About a third of all annual greeting card sales are |
| parents. | | | | related to holiday season. |
| - Sir Henry Cole commissioned the first commercial | | | | - Christmas cards are the most popular cards of a |
| Christmas cards in London in 1843. Sir Henry was | | | | season. Christmas cards account for 60% of all card |
| extremely busy that year, and as a result was unable | | | | sales. A distant second is Valentine's Day at 25%. |
| to compose the typical individual greetings. The simple | | | | - The U.S. is home to approximately 3,000 greeting |
| message, "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year | | | | card publishers. |
| to You" was found on the inside. John Callcott | | | | - "Merry Christmas" is the preferred text for 54% of |
| Horsley produced an illustration for the card that | | | | holiday card purchasers. "Season's Greetings" is liked |
| depicted a happy family hugging and toasting with | | | | by 12 %, and "Happy Holidays" is preferred by 21%. |
| their glasses raised. The drawing was disparaged by | | | | - When it comes to decide which boxed cards to |
| critics for promoting intoxication. | | | | buy, 56% of us take the decision based on the |
| - In the US, Louis Prang produced the first | | | | variety of cards available, and for 63%, price is the |
| commercial Christmas cards. He was a German | | | | most influential factor. Shopping with online |
| immigrant, who in 1856 started a little lithographic | | | | distributors can easily satisfy both conditions. Unlike a |
| business close to Boston. He is considered the | | | | typical store, they can display more cards without |
| creator of the greeting card industry in the United | | | | space limitations. |
| States. More than five million cards were being | | | | I hope you enjoyed this little ramble into the story of |
| produced by 1881. His cards gained increasing | | | | the Christmas Card. As is evident, this annual holiday |
| popularity through the 1890's. Prong stopped | | | | rite, is of major interest to everyone, everywhere. |