Christmas Card Day ✉

Overview

Christmas Card Day, observed annually on December 9th, commemorates the tradition of sending holiday greetings to friends and family. It marks the day in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole commissioned the very first commercial Christmas card, initiating a beloved custom that continues to thrive.

Origin and story

The first Christmas card was created in 1843 by John Calcott Horsley for Sir Henry Cole in London.

Only 1,000 of the original Christmas cards were printed, and they depicted a family toasting, alongside scenes of charity.

Quick facts

• DateDecember 9
• TypeKindness / Community
• Great forCommunity groups, Friends, Coworkers

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Ways to celebrate

Christmas Card Day marks a tradition that started as one overwhelmed Victorian's shortcut — and was controversial enough to spark a minor scandal.

Actually send one

Celebrate by:

• Writing and sending a physical Christmas card today instead of a group text.
• Writing something personal inside instead of just signing your name.
• Sending a card to someone you haven't talked to in a while instead of just your usual list.

Learn about the first Christmas card

Helpful resources:

• The History of the Christmas Card (Smithsonian Magazine)

Did you know?

The first Christmas card, designed by John Callcott Horsley for Henry Cole in 1843, actually caused a minor scandal — it depicted children drinking wine, which upset England's temperance movement.

Fun facts

• The first Christmas card was created in 1843 by John Calcott Horsley for Sir Henry Cole in London.
• Only 1,000 of the original Christmas cards were printed, and they depicted a family toasting, alongside scenes of charity.
• Early Christmas cards in the Victorian era often featured spring flowers or other non-winter scenes, as they were also used to send greetings throughout the year.
• The 'penny post' system in the UK made it affordable for people to send Christmas cards, significantly boosting their popularity.
• Louis Prang, a Prussian immigrant, is credited with popularizing Christmas cards in America during the 1870s.
• Despite digital communication, billions of Christmas cards are still exchanged globally each year.

Sources and attribution

The History of the Christmas Card (Smithsonian Magazine)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is Christmas Card Day?

It is observed on December 9 each year.

What is Christmas Card Day?

Christmas Card Day, observed annually on December 9th, commemorates the tradition of sending holiday greetings to friends and family. It marks the day in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole commissioned the very first commercial Christmas card, initiating a beloved custom that continues to thrive.

How do people celebrate Christmas Card Day?

Write and send an actual Christmas card today — the tradition started in 1843, when only 1,000 copies of the first commercial card, created by John Calcott Horsley for Sir Henry Cole, were printed.

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