On Dec. 9, Christmas Card Day reminds Americans that real connection still begins with something written by hand. With 1.5 billion Christmas cards exchanged each year, the tradition continues to hold the season’s spirit of generosity and goodwill. Each holiday note sent carries meaning that lasts beyond messages on a screen, leaving a trace of care in a fleeting world.
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Long before social media and instant messaging, a single printed card turned holiday exchanges into a shared ritual. The first Christmas card sparked a practice that still unites generations. From a modest exchange in Victorian England, it grew into a global gesture of warmth that captures the essence of the season.
The story behind the 1st Christmas card
In 1843, British civil servant Sir Henry Cole asked artist John Callcott Horsley to create a holiday card he could mail to friends. Horsley drew a lively scene of families gathered for a meal beside the greeting “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” The printed piece became the first Christmas card ever produced, sparking a tradition that would span generations.
Cole’s idea moved quickly through England. By the late 1800s, printers were turning out cards in large numbers, and the custom soon reached homes across the United States. Sending cards became part of the holiday traditions, linking families and friends through handwritten messages that traveled by post.
One surviving copy of Cole’s 1843 card is now worth more than $28,000, a small piece of paper carrying the story of how seasonal greetings began. Guinness World Records recognizes it as the most expensive greeting card ever sold at auction, securing its spot as one of the most remarkable relics of the holiday season.
The lasting charm of handwritten cards
Digital messages may be faster, but handwritten cards keep their place. Each one reflects time and care, from choosing a design to writing a note and sealing the envelope. The act feels deliberate, a pause in a season that often moves too fast.
A card also appeals to the senses. The paper’s texture, the ink and even the sound of an envelope opening create an experience that screens can’t replace. Many people keep these cards in boxes or albums, turning them into small archives of connection. Americans purchase approximately 6.5 billion greeting cards each year, including 1.5 billion Christmas cards, indicating that the tradition remains deeply ingrained in holiday culture.
Analysts valued the global greeting card market at $19.25 billion in 2022, with growth projected through 2030. Even with faster ways to communicate, the handwritten card remains a lasting reminder that personal connection never goes out of style.
Tech helps the tradition endure
E-cards and social media dominate fast exchanges, but printed cards still hold their place thanks to technology. Online tools make it simple to design, personalize and print cards that arrive by mail. Families now use platforms like Canva to create custom layouts in minutes.
Independent artists benefit as well. Marketplaces like Minted allow creators to sell original holiday cards through print-on-demand services. Artists now submit designs directly to publishers’ online collections, replacing older, in-person processes.
Dec. 9 serves as the unofficial start of the mailing season. For households that pay attention to Christmas Card Day, the date acts as a gentle reminder to send greetings early and ensure cards arrive before the holidays begin.
What Christmas Card Day means today
Christmas Card Day remains a meaningful tradition in today’s connected world. The observance encourages people to reach beyond screens and strengthen ties through simple, handwritten gestures. It reminds communities that thoughtful communication still carries weight when shared with intention.
Across many towns, the tradition has grown into acts of outreach. Schools, nonprofits and local groups now organize card-making drives for hospitals, shelters and senior centers. Organizations such as Cards of Compassion and Doing Good Together lead programs that collect handmade cards and deliver them to those in care or in need.
Social media extends the reach of these efforts. Photos of handwritten messages and community events circulate online, inspiring others to join. The practice endures not through nostalgia, but through collective kindness that continually renews its purpose each year.
Businesses keep the practice alive
Many companies continue to see value in sending holiday cards. The gesture helps maintain genuine ties with clients and partners, offering a level of personal attention that digital outreach often misses. A handwritten note or signed message can stand out more than an automated email ever could.
Small businesses also treat cards as part of their customer care. Independent shops often include thank-you notes in packages during December to express appreciation beyond the sale. Larger firms invest in custom-printed cards to build loyalty and reinforce long-term relationships.
For both local and corporate senders, the intent remains the same. A mailed card conveys professionalism with warmth, turning business correspondence into a thoughtful exchange. In a competitive marketplace, that human touch still earns lasting goodwill.
Looking ahead
The next chapter of Christmas cards belongs to those who see value in permanence. As messages vanish from screens, a written card remains, kept in drawers, found in boxes and passed between generations as proof that connection once mattered enough to hold. Each one preserves not just words but the sincerity that keeps the connection human, proving that some traditions still earn their place in the future.
Mandy writes about food, home and the kind of everyday life that feels anything but ordinary. She has traveled extensively, and those experiences have shaped everything, from comforting meals to small lifestyle upgrades that make a big difference. You’ll find all her favorite recipes over at Hungry Cooks Kitchen.
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