Each year on December 9, Christmas Card Day invites everyone to celebrate the tradition of sending heartfelt holiday greetings. This day encourages people to start their Christmas card list, write personal messages, and spread joy to family and friends near and far. Christmas cards are a cherished way to show appreciation and connect with loved ones, making this day an ideal prompt to carry on a tradition that dates back centuries.
Beyond just sharing holiday cheer, Christmas Card Day reminds us of the history behind this Victorian-era invention, which transformed Christmas greetings into a global tradition that endures to this day.
History of Christmas Cards
The Christmas card tradition began in Victorian England and owes its origins to Sir Henry Cole, a British civil servant and innovator in 19th-century industrial design and education. In 1843, Cole found himself overwhelmed with holiday mail and came up with the idea of creating a single card that could be sent to many people. To bring this idea to life, he partnered with artist John Callcott Horsley, commissioning him to design what would become the world’s first commercial Christmas card. That same year, Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol, marking a pivotal moment for Victorian holiday traditions.
Cole’s card design featured a central image of a family gathered in celebration, flanked by scenes of charitable acts—feeding the hungry and clothing those in need—highlighting the Victorian values of family and goodwill. Despite costing a shilling each, an amount considered pricey at the time, the card quickly gained popularity, helped by the introduction of the Universal Penny Post, which allowed people to send mail for a penny. This affordable postal rate made holiday cards accessible to many and fueled the tradition’s growth. By 1877, the British Postmaster General reported an additional four and a half million letters and cards delivered during the holiday season, a festive increase that continues today.
Though Cole’s original print run consisted of 1,000 cards, only 21 copies survive today, making them rare collectibles that capture the spirit of the Victorian holiday season and the humble beginnings of a now-global tradition.
Fun Fact: In the 1800s, the perfume maker Rimmel created a scented Christmas card, showcasing just how inventive the Victorians were in their holiday celebrations.
The concept soon made its way to the United States, where, in the mid-19th century, a variety store in Albany, New York, produced a simple card with holiday greetings from “Pease’s Great Variety Store in the Temple of Fancy.” However, it was Boston lithographer Louis Prang who truly popularized Christmas cards in America. By the 1880s, Prang’s innovative use of chromolithography allowed him to produce over five million cards each year, featuring vibrant, detailed images that captivated the public. Thanks to the early efforts of Cole, Horsley, and Prang, the Christmas card tradition flourished, becoming a cherished way to spread joy and connection during the holiday season—a tradition that continues today.
When is Christmas Card Day Celebrated?
Christmas Card Day is observed every year on December 9, serving as a gentle reminder to get those holiday cards in the mail before the holiday rush. Here’s when you can plan to celebrate Christmas Card Day over the coming years:
| Year | Date and Day |
|---|---|
| 2024 | December 9, Monday |
| 2025 | December 9, Tuesday |
| 2026 | December 9, Wednesday |
| 2027 | December 9, Thursday |
| 2028 | December 9, Saturday |
| 2029 | December 9, Sunday |
| 2030 | December 9, Monday |
Ways to Celebrate Christmas Card Day
This day offers a perfect opportunity to connect with loved ones through a thoughtful tradition. Here are some ideas to mark the day:
- Write Personal Messages: Instead of just signing your name, add a short, heartfelt note to each card. Mention a fond memory or share something you appreciate about the recipient for a truly personal touch.
- Choose Unique or Handmade Cards: Whether you create your own or support local artists, handmade cards add a unique and creative flair to your holiday greetings.
- Host a Card-Writing Gathering: Invite friends or family to join you in a card-writing party. Enjoy hot cocoa, play holiday music, and spend time together while working on your cards.
- Share on Social Media: Post a photo of your cards or a favorite card design with the hashtag #ChristmasCardDay to join others celebrating this holiday tradition.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
