#SeriouslyFunFacts

People have been sending Christmas cards for hundreds of years. Did you know that the first ever recorded use of the term ‘Merry Christmas’ was sent in a Christmas letter in 1534.

The first known Christmas card was given to King James of England in 1611. However, this was more like a manuscript rather than a card as it was folded into a panel and included songs and poems.

The tradition of sending Christmas cards started in England in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole who was a senior civil servant (government worker). He assisted with setting up the Public Record Office which is now known as the post office. His friend John Horsely was an artist who helped him design various Christmas cards. They sold Christmas cards for 1 shilling each. Sir Henry Cole used the idea of Christmas cards to encourage British citizens from all levels of class to use the postal system. The first Christmas cards generally had pictures of the nativity scene.

Now Christmas Cards are associated with all sorts of Santa Claus and ‘Christmas’ orientated designs. E-digital Christmas cards and the use of the web and smartphone technology has caused people to stray away from the traditional Christmas card. At Hobbyco, we still love to receive and send physical Christmas cards to loved ones, friends and family.

Charities often sell their own Christmas cards, envelopes and stickers to raise money for their organisations at Christmas time.

According to HallMark, around 1.6 billion Christmas cards are sent out each year.

If sending cards, please use 100% recyclable cards to minimise waste this Christmas.