December 9th - Christmas Card Day

First Christmas Card
Today is Christmas Card Day. It is believed that Henry Cole marketed the first Christmas Card. It is a tradition started back in the UK in 1843. Back then, stamps only cost a penny and cards were handmade and very ornate.

Between 1860 and 1870, printing methods improved as well as the cost of delivering the mail and postage dropped to half a penny. Due to the decrease in costs, the sending of Christmas cards became more popular and many more people were able to participate in this tradition.

Christmas cards started to appear in the U.S. in the 1840's, but due to the cost, many could not afford them. It wasn't until 1875, that they began to be mass produced, bringing down the cost and allowing many more people to buy them. In 1915, John C. Hall and his two brothers created Hallmark cards, who today are still one of the biggest card makers.

Since the 19th Century, many have chosen to make their own Christmas cards for various reasons. Homemade cards create a higher sentimental value and many families partake in this event and has become part of their seasonal festivity. Scrapbooking has also contributed to the making of the homemade card by making available an assortment of tools for stamping, punching and cutting.

With the introduction of the internet, many have chosen to use this medium instead of the traditional mail to get out their holiday message. It is faster and of course less expensive. But I love the original tradition of sending Christmas Cards through the mail, even more so since I have started creating my own cards. Many of my family and friends look forward to receiving their handmade holiday cards, and this is a tradition I intend to continue.

So if you have not gotten out your holiday cards yet, there is only 16 days left until Christmas, so get moving!

Happy Holidays from Arizona!
I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:




18 comments:

  1. Loveeeeeeeeeee it!! LOVING that image!! Too funny!!!!

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  2. Brilliant personalised card. Thank You for Playing and sharing your creation with us at Here Come The Boys! Good Luck from Woo, Sharon, Teresa, Donna, Jacky, Ginny, Becky, Mojca, Mandz, Stacey & Helen x

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  3. Your colouring is amazing! I absolutely adore this card. Thank you for joining us again at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.

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  4. Cute card - it made me laugh. I like your CAS design. The DP is a cool backdrop for Santa. Thanks for sharing with us at 613 Avenue Create.

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  5. Santa taking a break in sunny Arizona. LOL. Such a cute card. thanks for sharing it with us at CAtch The Bug.
    Nancy

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  6. Gorgeous card and image Monica. I spotted this on MIM..Loz

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  7. Love this Monica. The sentiment is so perfect with that image!

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  8. love this card! your coloring is awesome and inspirational! thanks for joining us over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles! I hope you will join us again for our next challenge in January!

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  9. cute card! Poor Santa getting stuck! and not even stuck in a chimney! Thanks for sharing with us at SEM.

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  10. LOL! I bet Santa never been to Arizona before :D I like it so much! Thank you for sharing it with us at Scrapping Everyday Miracles December Challenge. Hope to see you again on the next month challenge :)

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  11. Fantastic Chrimbo card and thank you for joining us at Nutcrafters for the Santa Creations challenge and good luck :)
    hugs and xxx
    Gemma

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  12. Love the Santa with the cats…thanks for sharing with us at SEM

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  13. Oh no...poor Santa! Hope he's better to deliver my pressies!

    Fab card...great image.

    Thank you for joining us over at the Scribble and Scrap Challenge. Good luck.
    xx

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  14. What a fab card ,love the image ..
    Thanks for joining us at MiM and good luck
    Tracey x

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  15. Too funny! Fab image! So glad you joined us for our Christmas challenge at Digi Haven!

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  16. Having a good giggle, here, love this card, brilliant image, thank you for sharing with us at Scribble and Scraps, best of luck xxx

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  17. What a cute card! YAH, I can't believe it is almost Christmas!
    Thanks for joining us at Digi Darla’s

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