Christmas Card History for Kids: Fun Facts & Traditions!

Christmas is a time for sparkling lights, yummy treats, and spending time with loved ones. But have you ever wondered where the tradition of sending Christmas card came from? It's a fascinating story that stretches back to Victorian times, and it's full of fun facts that kids will love! Get ready to travel back in time and discover the origins of this beloved holiday tradition.

Sending greetings during the holidays is a custom that brings joy to so many families. This year, in 2025, as we prepare our own cards, let's learn about the fascinating history behind them! From the very first Christmas card to the modern digital greetings we see today, the evolution of this tradition is an adventure worth exploring. So grab a cozy blanket, maybe a cup of hot cocoa, and let's dive into the world of Christmas card history!

The Very First Christmas Card

The story begins in England in 1843. Sir Henry Cole, a busy man who worked for the government, wanted to find a way to wish all his friends and acquaintances a happy holiday card season without having to write individual letters. He came up with a brilliant idea: a printed card!

He asked an artist named John Calcott Horsley to design the very first Christmas card. The card showed a family enjoying a Christmas celebration, with the words "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." It was a huge success! About a thousand copies were printed and sold for one shilling each – which was quite a bit of money back then. Imagine being one of the first people to receive such a unique and special holiday card!

Interestingly, the first Christmas card design caused some controversy. It showed a family, including a child, drinking wine. While common for the time, some people thought it encouraged drinking alcohol, especially for children. Despite the controversy, the card was a popular hit and paved the way for the Christmas card tradition we know and love today. Who knew a simple card could cause such a stir?

Victorian Christmas Card Craze

As printing technology improved and became more affordable, Christmas cards became increasingly popular in Victorian England. By the 1860s, sending Christmas card was a widespread tradition. These early cards were often beautifully decorated with festive images like snow scenes, robins, holly, and, of course, Father Christmas. Many featured elaborate designs with embossed details and even silk fringes. They were like miniature works of art!

Victorian Christmas cards were often quite different from the ones we send today. They sometimes featured unusual or even silly images, like anthropomorphic animals (animals acting like humans), mischievous fairies, or even bizarre jokes. It's fun to imagine what it was like to receive one of these quirky cards! Can you imagine getting a Christmas card featuring a frog ice skating or a cat singing carols? Those Victorians certainly had a unique sense of humor!

One very popular element on Victorian Christmas cards was the robin. This bird became a symbol of Christmas in Britain because postmen were nicknamed