Now that Christmas is round the corner, it is time to turn one’s attention to all things Christmassy and, of course, the traditional Christmas cards form an important consideration in this respect.
Christmas cards are generally commercially designed and purchased specifically at this time of year.
The content of the design often relates directly to the Christmas narrative, with depictions of the Nativity of Jesus, or have Christian symbols such as the Star of Bethlehem or a white dove representing both the Holy Spirit and peace.
Alternatively, many Christmas cards are secular and show Christmas traditions such as seasonal figures (Santa Claus, snowmen and reindeer) or candles, baubles and Christmas trees.
The first commercial Christmas cards were commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in London in 1843 and featured an illustration by John Callcott Horsley.
Early English cards rarely showed winter or religious themes; instead they depicted flowers, fairies and other fanciful designs that reminded the recipient of the approach of spring.
Humourous and sentimental images of children and animals were popular, as were increasingly elaborate shapes, decorations and materials.
Throughout the 20th century, the production of Christmas cards was a profitable business for many stationery manufacturers.
The World Wars brought cards with patriotic themes. Nowadays, one can choose either to send individual Christmas cards or to buy them in packs of the same or varied designs.
In some families, particularly in England, it is traditional to give expensive and elaborate Christmas cards to wives, husbands, children and parents. There are also cards individually addressed to other relatives.
It gives great pleasure to the recipients to see the thoughtfulness of the senders and there is an added bonus in that these cards can be kept as mementos going back several years.
There is a certain sense of anticipation and excitement in choosing specific Christmas cards for one’s loved ones and it would be a pity if these were eventually eliminated.
Since the 19th century, many families and individuals have chosen to make their own Christmas cards. These carry high sentimental value for both sender and recipient. Some homemade cards include personal touches such as family and holiday photos.
However, all this lovely old tradition of sending Christmas cards to friends and family has suffered a decline in recent years. Changes in technology are probably responsible for the downward trend of this aspect of Christmas celebrations. E-mail and telephones allow for more frequent contact between all the previous recipients of the cards.
The impact of the internet, with the advent of e-cards and social networking websites has changed the way people communicate around Christmas time.
It is easier and more in keeping with modern times for generations raised without hand- written letters not to send actual cards.
This is especially the case given the availability of websites offering free e-mail Christmas cards. In fact, some card manufacturers now provide e-cards.
The number of festive e-cards being sent is growing by more than 200 per cent per year, according to one estimate, while the number of paper cards is static.
Even commercial Christmas cards have declined, and large organisations also send e-cards instead of the traditional cards.
Many companies are sending e-mail-based cards as the recession bites. Also, people are keen to save money by sending e-cards. Thus, they save, time, money and trouble.
Oxfam, one of the largest charities that sell Christmas cards, said sales were 14 per cent lower than the previous year. Mintel, the research body, suggested that fewer and fewer households bother to send paper cards.
Saving money and environmental concerns are both cited as reasons for cutting back on cards.
Another consideration when trying to save money is the high cost of postage. It is calculated by Mintel that the spend on cards has fallen from £272 million in 2005 to an estimated £259 million in 2010.
Not so long ago, people in Malta sent each other Christmas cards even though they saw each other fairly often.
However, many people have been cutting down on their card list and more often than not only send cards to overseas friends and relations.
So, is this a trend that will lead to the future demise of the Christmas card altogether? Letters are becoming obsolete as it is far quicker, cheaper and more accurate in terms of receiving the actual text to send e-mails. It would seem that this is the way forward.
On the other hand, it is far nicer to receive Christmas cards in the post and have the sense of anticipation in opening the envelope to reveal who the card is from. Similarly, a letter received in the post is much more personal than an e-mail.
Some people keep their Christmas cards if they were sent by close family or friends and it is with a sense of nostalgia that one can look back through all the cards sent over the years. This must be especially sentimental and touching if the cards came from people now deceased. They are a living memento.
There is indeed a case to answer to keep up the rather lovely tradition of actual paper cards and it is to be hoped that future generations will carry on with the tradition, even in the face of the advances in technology and the economical pressures.
Long live the Christmas card!