Cards and Letters

1910 photograph of children looking at display case of
Christmas cards outside a shop. (from the New York Times)

       Christmas cards are usually exchanged during the weeks preceding Christmas Day on December 25 by many people (including non-Christians) in Western society and in Asia. The traditional greeting reads "wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year", much like the first commercial Christmas card, produced by Sir Henry Cole in London 1843. There are innumerable variations on this greeting, many cards expressing more religious sentiment, or containing a poem, prayer or Biblical verse; others stay away from religion with an all-inclusive "Season's greetings". 
      A Christmas card is generally commercially designed and purchased for the occasion. The content of the design might relate directly to the Christmas narrative with depictions of the Nativity of Jesus, or have Christian symbols such as the Star of Bethlehem or a white dove representing both the Holy Spirit and Peace. Many Christmas depict traditions such as Santa Claus, objects associated with Christmas such as: candles, holly and baubles. Other cards may illustrate winter activities such as shopping, skating, or wildlife scenes typical of a northern winter. Some Christmas cards depict nostalgic scenes of the past such as crinolined shoppers in 19th century streetscapes; others are humorous, particularly in depicting the antics of a modern day Santa and his retinue. More . . . 

• "I Bring You Glad Tidings" Christmas Silhouettes - images by former museum director, published author and teacher Pedro J. Lemos
• Christmas postcards by Ellen Clapsaddle - She designed more than 3000 illustrations for the American postcard industry within her lifetime!
• Postcards of Nimble Nicks first and second posts - Published postcards, stationary and Valentines during the 19th century; this company employed several designers to contribute to the "Nimble Nicks" themed merchandise up until it closed in 1942.
• Illustrations from Charles Dickens on Christmas - For your letter writing by A. C. Michael
• Christmas Paper Cuts From 1914 - these silhouette patterns will make lovely cards for loved ones...
• Write A Letter To Santa - history of U. S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Finland and others, also included are color frames for letters to Santa restored by kathy grimm
• Printable Cards of "Three Ships" - by Henry Payne for Christmas cards and letters: blue, red, burgundy and green colors
• Restored Antique Postcards by kathy grimm here: Snowmen, Angels, and Nativity
• Thomas Nast's "Christmas Drawings" - "Father of the American Cartoon" caricaturist who created the modern version of Santa Claus...

A Twinkl Educational Video