The Charming History of Sending Christmas Cards

 Every December, many of us find ourselves surrounded by festive stationery, glittering envelopes, and handwritten greetings meant to brighten the season.

But have you ever wondered how this beautiful tradition began?

The history of Christmas cards is a story filled with creativity, community, and the heartfelt desire to stay connected—something we card senders know a thing or two about! 

 

It all started in Victorian England…

The very first Christmas card was

created in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole, a busy civil servant who struggled to keep up with his holiday correspondence

Wanting a simple yet meaningful way to send warm wishes to friends and colleagues, he hired artist John Callcott Horsley to design a card that he could sign and mail.

The card featured a family celebrating together and scenes of charitable giving—two themes still beloved today. It was printed and hand-colored, sold for a shilling, and sparked a new trend across England.

A growing tradition

As printing technology improved, Christmas cards became more affordable and more popular. By the late 1800s, they were beautifully illustrated with winter landscapes, flowers, children, and—of course—Victorian-era holiday cheer.

 

A tradition that connects us

 

Even in our digital age, Christmas cards remain powerful. They carry more than ink and paper—they carry intention, thoughtfulness, and a personal touch that can’t be replaced by a quick text or social media post.

Every card you send becomes a tiny piece of art, a keepsake, and a reminder to someone that they matter.

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Lost In The Mail Part 1

 What happens to cards and letters that get lost in the mail?

That’s a great question — and one that has quite a bit of mystery and history behind it!

 

Here’s what typically happens when cards and letters get lost in the mail:

 

If a card or letter can’t be

delivered

When a piece of mail doesn’t have a clear address, or the recipient has moved and there’s no forwarding address, the postal service will first try to return it to the sender.

• If the envelope has a return address, it usually comes back to you stamped “Undeliverable” or “Return to Sender.”

• If there’s no return address, that’s when things get more interesting.

 

It goes to the Mail Recovery Center

 

In the U.S., undeliverable mail without a return address ends up at the Mail Recovery Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

• Workers there open certain pieces of mail only if they think they can find a clue about where it should go (for instance, a note inside with a full address or name).

• If they can find a return or delivery address, they’ll forward it.

• If not, it’s officially considered unrecoverable.

•  

 

What happens to unrecoverable mail

 

Personal letters and cards that can’t be returned or delivered are securely destroyed to protect privacy.

• Valuable items (like checks, gift cards, or small gifts) might be held for a while or, in some cases, auctioned off if they have real value and no one claims them.

•  

A sentimental note

 

Lost letters have always fascinated people — even inspiring poems, novels, and museum exhibits. Some postal historians even collect “dead letters” because each one tells a story that almost reached someone’s hands.

 That will be the topic of my next newsletter.

The Problems a Notecard Subscription Box Can Solve

 A monthly notecards subscription can solve several problems you might have when it comes to buying cards. Here are a few:

1. Lack of Time to Shop for Cards: Many people struggle to find time to browse for the perfect card, especially during busy times of the year. A subscription provides a convenient solution by delivering a fresh set of beautifully crafted cards directly to their doorstep, saving them time.

2. Last-Minute Card Buying Stress: Last-minute shoppers often find themselves scrambling for the right card. A monthly subscription ensures that they always have a selection of cards ready when they need them for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions.

3. Not Finding Unique or High-Quality Cards: Generic, mass-produced cards don’t appeal to everyone. A subscription to handmade notecards provides unique, high-quality, and personalized options that reflect a customer’s taste and style, offering something special they can’t find in stores.

4. Forgetting to Send Cards: With the hectic pace of life, it’s easy to forget to send cards on important occasions. A subscription serves as a reminder and ensures customers are always prepared with the right card at the right time, helping them maintain thoughtful connections.

5. Limited Creativity or Inspiration for Card Writing: Sometimes people get stuck when it comes to writing meaningful messages. Receiving a monthly supply of diverse and artistically designed cards can spark inspiration and encourage more frequent, heartfelt correspondence.

This subscription can truly take the hassle out of card-sending while enhancing the personal touch you want to convey.

 Start 2026 with a subscription to my notecards subscription box. Get on the list today:

https://mynotecards.wixsite.com/mynotecardsbox

From Hobby to Etsy

 Do you ever wonder how Mynotecards came to be?

Today, I want to take you on a journey from the birth of our humble beginnings to what we are now.

Once upon a time my card making was just a hobby.

In fact I started out creating a lot of small watercolor paintings as a teenager. I had a collection of them They were never framed (what a shame) To me having all this creativity and drive to constanlty create seemed pointless if I wasn't going to share it with anyone.

What was the point of making all this stuff and sticking it in a notebook for no one to see.

In the meantime I grow to love letter writing and would spend time writing letters to cousins, friends and my penpal in the Netherlands

Finally in 1982 , long after those teen years were over,

I rediscovered my love of watercolor painting.

It was a way of relaxing after chasing a toddler and  attending to  new born all day.

I was a stay at home mom with no car and a husband that worked 14-16 hours a day 6 days a week.

My inability to travel to the card store to buy any cards caused me to make my own thank you

for the baby gift cards.

My aunt had gotten one of these cards and said she loved it and framed it

Then something amazing happened - we saw how much joy my notecards brought to people, and we decided to share it with the world!

And the rest is history!!!!

It's beenover 40 YEA

Visit my Etsy shop today       https://www.etsy.com/shop/mynotecardsbyirma/

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CARD DESIGNS AND STYLES

  

Depending on your message and the mood you want to convey, there are a variety of styles and designs you may be more prone to buying when you are picking up that special card.

I have chosen to briefly discuss 9 on them. 

Down below there are examples of  the 9 designs styles.

There is also photos down below .

Starting from the top row form left to right

you'll be able to see the examples.

 

1.Retro Vintage style that was popular during the 1950's⁠.

This design style reminds of my childhood

 

2. Abstract cards perfect for the true art lovers.

These types of cards can often be saved and framed by the recipient

 

.3 The Gothic style card often makes it's appearance around Halloween. However this style can be popular around valentines day because it often uses black sexy lace to make a statement.⁠

Often these cards have a "Moulin Rouge" vibe to them

 

4 The Mdern Contemporary style

is the one I am more prone to creating. ⁠

These cards are noted for being simple usually

one layer cards with not a ton of embellishments

.⁠

5.Art Deco, also called "Style Modern Movement"  in the decorative arts and architecture that originated in the 1920s

 

6 Steam Punk style! Steampunk is a retro futuristic style that is inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery.

It's a kind of grunge of the 1890's

 

7.Shabby Chic is a style noted by it's multiple layers of lace, flowers,ribbons and embellishments such as pearls and gems. Very pale pastel colors are used to create this very ornate look.

 

8.Rustic Style is a natural looking style usually made from kraft paper

.The illusion of real wood can sometimes give

that look together with fibers like burlap and twine.

 

 

9 Zentangle style is an abstract drawing created using repetitive patterns. Many of the Adult coloring books are zentangle designs.

Next time you go shopping at a retail store or get a handmade card,

see what type of card design style it is.

Myths and Misconceptions About Sending Cards

 Over the years, a few myths have crept into the way people think about buying and sending cards. Many of these ideas took root when email first became popular and seemed to promise a faster, easier way to stay in touch.

Of course, email has its place—especially in the business world. It’s efficient, widely used, and often the primary way companies communicate. But when it comes to personal connections, email can feel a bit impersonal. Cards and letters, on the other hand, have a way of reaching the heart and deepening relationships.

One common misconception is that sending a card is a waste of time and money. Admittedly, if you send a card to someone you barely know, it might be read once and tossed aside. In that case, yes—it may feel like a waste. But sending a card to a close friend or family member? That’s never wasted. It’s an investment in the bond you share, a small gesture that carries great meaning.

Just before Mother’s Day, I ran a poll on Instagram and asked moms what they would rather receive: an email or a card from their child. The answer was unanimous—a card. What surprised me most was that even younger moms in their 20s and 30s—many of whom had never written letters or sent cards to their own mothers—still longed for the tangible sentiment of a card.

Another misconception is that an email can be “just as good” as a card. The truth is, you can’t hold on to an email. You can’t tuck it in a drawer, place it on the fridge, or keep it as a lasting keepsake. A card, however, becomes a treasure—something to return to again and again, carrying with it the warmth of the person who sent it.

Feel free to share your thoughts below.

 

5 Traits of Letter Writers & Greeting Card Lovers

 Over the years I have come to realize that those that enjoy writing letters,sending cards & own stationery sets have 5 traits in common. They are:⁠

1. Female....about 98%

2. Over the age of 45...older woman who went to school and learned the value of sending cards as a form of proper etiquette

3. Value relationships with people...they see the value in connecting with other human beings and the importance of keeping and fostering that relationship

4. Enjoy writing and sending cards & letters...taking pleasure in the pure action of siting down and taking time to express love, concern for others in writing.

5. Enjoy keepsakes...... my ideal customer understands

the value of creating a memory by providing a tangible keepsake to be passed on as well as holding on to things of sentimental value

*

Do you have any of these traits?

Sending Get Well Wishes

 

What's In Your Mailbox?

 Do you remember the excitement you felt when you got a card in the mail? How about the joy in knowing that the card was handmade? It was always with great anticipation and joy that we waited to see what the mail carrier would bring. Nowadays our mailboxes are filled with bills & junk mail a far cry from what it used to contain. There was a time when I used to literally enjoy going to the mailbox. It was always an adventure to see what came for me that day.

As the years have gone by , the sense of excitement and joy was replaced with a feeling of dread because going to the mailbox is now the chore of cleaning out the crap the mail carrier. has stuffed into it. I find myself NOT going daily to the mailbox because I know there's nothing worthwhile in it!

I recently asked some of the visitors of my Facebook page to share what about what they get in their mailbox.

Here are a few of the replies

Suzy::

I love receiving handmade cards as I know they have been made with love and especially created for me x

Vanessa: :

Receiving a card in the mail is always a treat!!!

Stephanie:

I used to love getting cards in the mail. Sadly mostly everyone I know sends everything through email

Louise :

The fact that keeping in touch with someone wasn't instant, maybe we didnt take it for granted so much

What's in your mailbox?

Image of a beautifully crafted handmade card with the caption:"Every occasion deserves a personal touch! 💌 Handmade cards add warmth and sincerity to your greetings. Let's spread love and creativity, one card at a time. 

Check out my Etsy shop today