Day: December 26, 2007

How did the custom of sending Holiday Cards begin in the United States? Sir Henry Cole, the founder of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, had so many holiday greetings to send that handwriting them was impossible. He wanted his friends to be aware of the need to help the destitute on Christmas. So in 1843, Cole commissioned John Calcott Horsley to paint holiday greeting cards showing the feeding and clothing of the poor.

The first mainstream holiday card had a center panel showing a happy family embracing one another, sipping wine and enjoying the festivities. This card drew criticism because showing a child enjoying a sip of wine was considered to foster the moral corruption of children. Printed on the inside read “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.”

Following the mainstreaming of holiday cards in London, Americans had to import greeting cards from Great Britain for the following 30 years. Then in 1875 Louis Prang, a German man who immigrated to the United States, opened a lithography shop with only $250 and published the first line of personalized Christmas cards for America. This first line of Holiday cards featured flowers and birds…an image not reminiscent of a Christmas scene. But by 1881, Prang was producing more than 5 million Christmas cards per year featuring snow scenes, fir trees, glowing fireplaces, and children playing with toys.

‘Twas a year before Christmas in our publishing house.
Click! Click! From Creative came the sound of a mouse.
Readying cards to entice for next holiday season,
The design team faced challenges, and for good reason.

With Marketing and customer feedback as a guide,
Taking culture, originality, and artistry in stride,
They channel image and words into a card cover,
With greetings to suit the whole world over.

Sketch of forest, ornament or gifts in hand,
On with stars, snow, ribbons, by inspired command!
“Which color paper?” “Should we use ink?”
“What type of foil?” “Embossing, you think?”

Completed, the artwork is rushed to engravers
Who sculpt master dies, both crafty and clever.
The next trips are to the printers and finishers,
With our designers as shepherds of the endeavor.

When their actual turnover cards are in hand,
They return to the office and set up a stand.
With a plea to the rest of us, all of their colleagues
“Be angels,” they ask, “Name these cards, please!”

In hushed awe we gather, then start scribbling wildly.
Does it shimmer, does it glitter? Some try names that are funny.
Wiser heads will select which the best names will be,
“Grapes of Wreath” gets passed over for “Harvest Bounty.”

On to Production, who with skill will fill inventory
So our Plant can imprint customer orders in a hurry.
Creative exclaimed, moving on to new passions,
“Let’s start on designs for the All Occasion fashions!”