World's First Christmas Card | How did the tradition of sending Christmas cards start?

The Postal Museum2 minutes read

Christmas traditions like trees, crackers, and Christmas cards were popularized in the Victorian era through the introduction of affordable and popular Christmas cards made possible by the universal penny post in 1840, leading to a trend that grew rapidly with various designs reflecting the festive spirit and a significant increase in Christmas letters being delivered annually by 1877.

Insights

  • The Victorian era, particularly under Queen Victoria's influence, played a pivotal role in popularizing Christmas traditions such as trees, crackers, and Christmas cards, with Henry Cole commissioning the first commercial Christmas card in 1843, marking the beginning of a trend that rapidly grew in popularity, aided by the introduction of the affordable penny post in 1840.
  • The affordability and accessibility of sending Christmas cards due to the universal penny post in 1840, coupled with innovative designs like scented cards by Rimmel, led to a significant increase in the delivery of Christmas letters annually by 1877, showcasing how technological advancements and creative marketing strategies can influence the spread and adoption of cultural traditions.

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Recent questions

  • What are the origins of Christmas traditions like trees and cards?

    Christmas traditions like trees, crackers, and Christmas cards originated in the Victorian era, popularized by Queen Victoria and her family.

  • Who commissioned the first commercial Christmas card?

    Henry Cole commissioned the first commercial Christmas card in 1843.

  • How did the introduction of the universal penny post impact Christmas cards?

    The introduction of the universal penny post in 1840 made sending Christmas cards affordable and popular.

  • What was the significance of the scented Christmas cards by Rimmel?

    Scented Christmas cards by Rimmel were among the various designs reflecting the festive spirit during the Victorian era.

  • When did the postmaster general report a significant increase in Christmas letters?

    By 1877, the postmaster general reported a significant increase in Christmas letters being delivered annually.

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Summary

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Victorian Christmas Traditions and Cards

  • Christmas traditions like trees, crackers, and Christmas cards originated in the Victorian era, popularized by Queen Victoria and her family; the introduction of the universal penny post in 1840 made sending Christmas cards affordable and popular, with Henry Cole commissioning the first commercial Christmas card in 1843, designed by John Calcott Horsley, initially selling for one shilling each under the pseudonym Felix Summerley, leading to a trend that grew rapidly, with various designs reflecting the festive spirit, including scented cards by Rimmel, and by 1877, the postmaster general reported a significant increase in Christmas letters being delivered annually.
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