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 Many
people all over the world are waiting for Christmas. It is a lovely
holiday. Thinking about Christmas
brings a smile to our faces.
We usually spend time with our family
and friends on Christmas. We also exchange Christmas cards
and gifts with our loved ones. But do you know
when people started sending Christmas cards?
Can you believe that the custom of sending greeting cards dates back
to ancient China? The ancient
Chinese sent messages of goodwill to their family
and friends to celebrate the new year. Ancient
Egyptians also used papyrus scrolls to send their greetings.
In the 15th century, Germans started
producing New Year’s greeting cards.
However, the origins of the Christmas
card started in England. Centuries ago, young British boys used to
make cards for their parents on Christmas Day. The first commercial Christmas cards
were made in London in 1843. “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
to You” was written on the inside of each card.
 In America,
the first commercial Christmas cards were produced in 1856 by a German
immigrant named Louis Prang. He is
the creator of the greeting card
industry in the U.S. His
cards gained huge popularity. He produced more than five million cards by 1881.
Former U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower
issued the first official White House Christmas card
in 1953. In 2005, the White House sent more than 1 million Christmas
cards. Today, about 90 percent of people in the U.S. send Christmas
cards to their loved ones.
Christmas cards are the most popular kinds of cards in
many countries. The second most popular card is Valentine’s Day cards.
In America, Christmas cards account for more than 60
percent of all card sales. According to surveys, “Merry Christmas”
is the most popular text people choose. “Happy Holidays”
is the second, and “Season’s Greetings” is the third. |
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