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Christmas cards began as a printed greeting people could personalize by hand. The first widely credited example dates to 1843, when British civil servant Henry Cole commissioned artist John Callcott Horsley to design one. Today, cards range from printed assortments to handmade, painted and printable designs—and you can choose or create one to suit the message you want to send.
Who sent the first Christmas card?
Henry Cole commissioned the card generally credited as the first known printed Christmas card in 1843. The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) identifies artist John Callcott Horsley as its designer. Cole’s diary entry of 17 December 1843, quoted by the museum, reads: “In the Evg Horsley came & brought his design for Christmas Cards”. V&A: The first Christmas card
The card joined celebration with charity. Its hand-coloured central panel showed three generations of Cole’s family raising a toast; scenes of charitable giving framed it. A printer produced 1,000 copies that recipients could personalize with a handwritten greeting. Cole offered them for a shilling apiece. The V&A describes that price as expensive for the time and the venture as a commercial flop—not an overnight mass-market success.
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- Bring a snowy and festive garden of creativity to life with Katy Sue's Christmas Garden Picket Fence card making kit. This Christmas and Holiday edition of our picket fence card making kit allows you to easily craft 8 charmingly snowy and seasonal picket fence cards that are the perfect make for handmade Christmas cards for friends and family. Each picket fence card is made from sturdy 300 GSM cardstock and comes pre-cut and pre-scored. Once folded, the cards measure 5.3 x 7 inches (134mm x 178mm), a convenient size for gifting or mailing.
- Kit contents: 8 pre-cut and scored Christmas picket fence shaped cards in 4 colors, 2 sheets of die-cut card making embellishments in 2 different colorways, 8 picket fence background scenes, 2 sheets of double-sided sticky foam pads, 8 white envelopes and instructions.
- The kit features 2 sets of 4 colorful picket fence shaped cards, meaning you can make 8 cards in wood, red, blue and gray. Also included are the winter garden background scenes and 2 sheets of pre-cut / die-cut embellishments - one in the 'winter' colorway with blues, silver and white, and one in the 'Traditional Christmas' with shades of red and gold. There are Christmas birds, wreaths, swags, bows, Christmas trees, baubles and a host of other decorations to choose from as card embellishments to decorate the picket fences. We’ve even included a selection of garden plaques complete with sweet Christmas messages like 'winter wishes', 'let it snow' and 'Merry Christmas', to name a few.
- Each Christmas picket fence card is made from 300 GSM cardstock and comes pre-cut and pre-scored. Once folded, the cards measure 5.3 x 7 inches or 134mm x 178mm, a convenient size for gifting or mailing. To add even more depth and dimension to your designs, the kit includes double-sided adhesive foam pads, allowing you to create eye-catching layered effects. A set of perfectly sized white envelopes is also included, ensuring your finished Christmas cards are ready to send.
- Thoughtfully designed and proudly manufactured in the UK, this kit combines quality and creativity to help you produce Christmas and Holiday cards that are as beautiful as they are personal. The detailed instructions included in the kit guide you step-by-step, making it easy for crafters of all skill levels to enjoy - all you need to bring these delightful cards to life is some glue (not included).
That 1843 date is best understood as the origin of the widely credited printed commercial card, not proof that no earlier seasonal greetings or advertisements existed. The National Park Service (NPS) also describes Cole’s commission as what are believed to be the first printed holiday cards.
How Christmas card designs and formats changed
Early Christmas cards borrowed from Valentine designs, using embossed or pierced “paper lace,” layered construction, flowers and religious imagery. During what the V&A calls the Victorian heyday, from 1860 to 1890, printing and finishing methods made cards more elaborate. Chromolithography enabled colourful images; makers also used metallic inks, fabric appliqué and die-cut shapes. Common scenes included robins, holly, evergreens, snow, churches, Christmas dinner, Santa, children’s games and pantomime characters.
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- Create your own hand made and unique Christmas Flower Pot cards with the new and delightful Christmas Flower Pot Christmas card making collection from Katy Sue. The collection features stunning Christmas-themed floral die-cut decoupage and flower pot-shaped cards.
- Kit contents: 8 Christmas Flower Pot shaped cards (2 each of 4 designs), 8 white envelopes, 4 sheets of Christmas die-cut decoupage (2 each of 2 designs), 1 sheet of double-sided Christmas bows, 2 x sheets of foiled & die-cut Christmas sentiment banners, sticky foam pads and instructions.
- Pick your pot – there are 4 special Christmas Pot designs included in the collection, each with their own unique look, from red knitted jumper, to green and white tartan, brown wicker basket to golden swirl. There’s a style to suit all. Also included are the inserts, sticky foam pads and full instructions for creating and attaching your Christmas floral decoupage arrangements, plus there’s space to add a sweet Christmas message or sentiment, too.
- Transform your Christmas Flower Pot creation by adding a pretty 3D die-cut Christmas Tree or Floral arrangement with the included decoupage designs. Finish off your card by adding one of a selection of double sided and three-dimensional Christmas bows and a sweet Christmas / Holiday message using the Christmas Bow and Banners sheets which are also included in this delightful collection – there are different font options and colourways to choose from.
- This card making kit is proudly made in the UK by Katy Sue Designs.
Elaborate cards were not equally affordable to everyone. The NPS notes that the cost of cards and postage could limit who sent them; some people may have made their own cards or sent handwritten letters instead. A cheaper postcard format gained popularity after Britain’s Half Penny Post began in 1894, according to the V&A. These developments describe particular periods and places, not a uniform change in access everywhere.
How Christmas cards developed in the United States
Early Christmas cards were imported into the United States in the 1850s and 1860s, the NPS reports. Louis Prang began manufacturing Christmas cards in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1873. The Greeting Card Association identifies 1875 as the year Prang introduced a complete American line. Those dates refer to separate milestones: the start of manufacturing and the later complete line.
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- Package Includes: This Christmas card making craft kits for kids comes with 24pcs Christmas tree cards in 6 styles, 24pcs Christmas greeting cards, 24pcs Christmas theme stickers in 4 styles and 24pcs self-adhesive envelope. This set of DIY handmade greeting cards includes everything you need for festive fun, create your own handmade Christmas greeting card or Christmas invitation.
- Blank on the Inside : Each pattern is carefully designed, colorful pattern. These cards are blank on the back, leaving plenty of space to write your message and wishes.
- Premium material: Our Christmas tree card craft kit are made of high-quality paper materials, which are durable and smooth to write on. Each sticker is brightly colored and clearly printed, providing you with long-term service and a good user experience.
- Christmas Tree Making Cards: Featuring charming 3D Christmas tree designs, these Christmas tree card craft kit are ideal for crafting beautiful holiday cards. With pre-punched designs and vibrant colors, kids can easily create DIY handmade Christmas greeting cards. Great for making personalized Christmas party invitation cards or fun home activities during the holidays.
- Easy to DIY: Fold the Christmas tree card along the dotted line, gently stretch the Christmas tree, stick the Christmas tree on the DIY Christmas party invitation card, and decorate the handmade Christmas craft supplies with stickers as you like. This DIY Christmas craft kit is easy to use, allowing children to easily make their own greeting cards.
Choosing a card to send
Start with the message, quantity and time you have. A boxed assortment is convenient when you need many cards; an individual card lets you choose a design for one recipient. Commercially printed cards provide a finished design, while a handmade or printable card gives you room to add your own artwork and wording. Options include a standard printed greeting, a handwritten note, a custom message or a photo design. These are format and personalization choices, not a guarantee that any particular design or service is currently available.
For a painter, making a card can turn a small original image—such as a winter landscape, a holly sprig or a candlelit window—into a personal seasonal greeting. You can make one original card or print several copies of a design. If you need a substantial quantity, compare the time required to make them with the convenience of a boxed assortment.
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- Package Includes: The Christmas gingerbread house 3D DIY paper craft kit include: 24 sheets of gingerbread house cards (6 styles, 4 of each), 24 sheets of Christmas stickers (6 styles, 4 of each), 24 sheets of white eaves cutting line card boards (2 styles, 12 of each), 24 kraft paper cards, 24 white envelopes, and 10 sheets of adhesive dots.
- Gingerbread House Scene Design: Shine your creativity with our unique 3D gingerbread house Christmas card designs. This set includes beautiful DIY gingerbread house cutouts and other Christmas-themed stickers (Christmas tree, candy cane, gingerbread man, and more) , so you can easily create a charming gingerbread house scene. These Christmas greeting cards add a wonderful touch to your holiday greetings, making them stand out.
- Quality Material: Christmas gingerbread house craft kit is made of quality paper material, thick and sturdy, not easy to be broken or faded, this holiday greeting card can provide a good using experience for your Christmas party. Add a make-a-gingerbread house stickers card game to the holiday parties.
- Easy to Use: Our gingerbread DIY crafts are easy to use. Simply stick cute gingerbread house and Christmas cutouts like Christmas tree stickers, candy cane stickers, and some other decorative stickers on kraft paper cards. The DIY nature of these gingerbread house card makes them ideal for expressing your creativity and sending greetings to friends or family.
- Wide Applications: Our DIY greeting cards bring a fun and interactive touch to your holiday festivities. This Christmas holiday gingerbread greeting cards is great for Christmas craft sessions, party favors, gingerbread house gatherings, Christmas gift bag fillers, and various festive DIY projects, they add a handmade charm to any celebration.
How to make a printable Christmas card
The NPS recommends cardstock for a sturdier printable card. Use a printer and paper suitable for your design, then finish each card by hand:
- Print the card design on cardstock.
- Fold the sheet in half.
- Write a personal message inside.
- Place the card in an envelope and address it.
- Check postage and delivery information with the postal operator for your mailing location and destination, then send it.
For an original painted card, create the artwork on paper that can pass through your printer if you plan to reproduce it, or paint directly on a folded card blank. Let wet media dry fully before folding or inserting the card into its envelope.
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- 157-Piece Christmas Scrapbooking Kit: This complete DIY craft set includes everything for holiday creativity:1 A6 Notebook, 1 Book Cover, 10 Folded Notes, 2 Envelopes, 20 Cards 2 rolls Washi Tape, 20 PET Stickers, 30 Coated Paper Stickers, 20 Decorative Papers, 60 Notes,3 Bookmarks. Perfect for cards, journals, and festive projects!
- Premium Quality & Festive Designs: Features vibrant Christmas-themed papers, stickers, and washi tapes with snowflakes, trees, and holiday motifs. Made of thick cardstock, repositionable PET stickers, and durable materials that won’t bleed or tear easily.
- All-in-One Creative Hub: The A6 notebook (5.8" x 4.2") is ideal for journaling, planners, or gift notes. Pair with included tags, photo frames, and envelopes to craft personalized holiday keepsakes or gifts.
- Easy to Use & Versatile: Repositionable stickers and tear-resistant papers allow mistake-free crafting. Use for: Scrapbooks, journals, photo albums, School projects, party decorations, gift wrapping, Planner decorating, memory keeping, and more!
- Perfect for DIY Lovers & Gift-Givers: Create handmade cards, scrapbook pages, gift tags, or holiday decor. Great for crafters who love festive stationery. Also makes a thoughtful Christmas gift! Age and safety statement:The product is not suitable for childrenunder 14 years old, as stated in the productdetails.
When should you mail Christmas cards?
There is no single mailing date or postage rule that applies worldwide. Timing depends on where the card is sent from, where it is going, the mail service and the date you send it. Check current deadlines and postage with the postal operator serving the origin and destination. The USPS page on historical rates and statistics is a historical resource, not a source for current postage or Christmas mailing deadlines: USPS historical rates and statistics.
What to write in a Christmas card
A brief personal message is often enough: greet the recipient, share a warm wish or a specific note, and sign your name. For someone you know well, a detail about the year or a memory can make a printed card feel personal. For a less familiar recipient, keep the wording simple and considerate. The choice between a standard greeting and a handwritten message is yours; the original 1843 card also left room for recipients to add a greeting by hand.
How common are Christmas cards today?
The V&A reports that around a billion Christmas cards are bought in the UK each year. This is the museum’s estimate, not a newly measured figure or a global sales total. The museum also says its national collection contains more than 30,000 greeting cards, over half of them Christmas cards. These figures describe the collection and the museum’s UK estimate, not current sales everywhere.
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