The 'D' is in the month! So it's high time to shop for Christmas cards 💌🎄 (from small, local designers and entrepreneurs, of course)! I love traditions, and drawing, sending, and receiving Christmas cards brings me great joy.
Fortunately, I'm not alone, and apparently, there's such a thing as Christmas Card Day, celebrated every year on December 9th. This day was created to honor the 'inventor' of the first commercial Christmas card, the British Sir Henry Cole.
The first Christmas card
In 1843, Sir Henry Cole had an edition of 1000 cards printed. The exact reason isn't entirely clear, but it was a few years after Cole had made a significant contribution to the British postal system, which allowed letters to be sent across the country for just a penny. This made it very easy for 'ordinary' people to send a Christmas wish. Despite a minor controversy because the card depicted children drinking wine, the Christmas card was such a success that a second edition of another 1000 copies quickly followed. The success was immense, and card by card, this new tradition conquered the world.
5 Things to do with Christmas cards
How nice is it to receive Christmas cards? It’s truly a little celebration to find those colorful envelopes on your doormat! The question is: what will you do with those little gifts afterward? Below are five handy and creative tips.
Hang them up
As traditional as it is, hanging your Christmas cards, for example, on a string with paperclips or cozy mini clothespins, gives them an easy spot. Hang a few sprigs of greenery here and there for decoration. And whether it's along the stair railing, in the living room above the couch, or on the bathroom door; every time you walk past them, you'll be reminded of all those sweet wishes and people.
In the tree
If you want to give your Christmas cards a more prominent place in your home during the holidays, hang them in the Christmas tree. Use a hole punch to make a hole in the upper left corner, tie a nice ribbon or string to it, and decorate your tree with them! This way, you make your cards truly part of your Christmas decorations, and your tree will look just a bit more personal.
Under a cloche
To be honest, not all Christmas cards are created equal. And I mean this purely aesthetically. So it's perfectly logical that you might have a favorite. Do you want to give it a really special spot? Then place it under a glass cloche. With some cotton wool and a few mini Christmas baubles, you can truly make it festive.
Make a diorama with them
By turning your Christmas card into a diorama, you bring the scene to life a little (just a little 😉). Make a few copies of the card on thick paper and, with some time, glue, extra paper, and a deep frame, craft a diorama. You can also spruce it up with lights, natural finds, or miniature items. Give it a nice spot in your home and let your diorama stay there all year round.
Craft a little book from them
There comes a time of year when Christmas cards really need to be put away (for me, it's often around Easter). If you want to increase the chances of looking at them again, turn them into a little book. Make two holes along the long side of each card and string them together with a nice ribbon or string, or buy metal rings. You can create a front cover from pretty paper. This way, you'll have a beautiful collection.
Have fun buying, writing, receiving, and finding a place for your Christmas cards. And if you buy your cards here in the webshop, you'll automatically get a nice discount when you buy 5 or 10 or more cards. Happy holidays!
