In the late 19th century, cards were lavish, but didn't have the religious symbols present on either the original cards or the cards of today. The turn-of-the century saw European Christmas postcards that remained popular for the next 10 years.

Hand-painted cards, heavily influenced by the Art Deco movement were popular during the 1920s.

The Depression and the 1930s brought cards making fun of poverty and prohibition. The popularity of animated films brought characters like Popeye and Mickey Mouse onto cards for the first time.

A surge in Christmas cards came in the 1940s, courtesy of World War II. Friends and family, far away fighting, received cards with patriotic messages and symbols, like Uncle Sam. New technology allowed for more vivid cards.

The 1950s introduced humor. Santa was pictured as a couch potato watching television on one card. On a card whose message was "Peace on Earth," Santa had nuclear missiles over his head.

Untraditional cards took center stage in the 1960s, as Santa was poked fun at and peace symbols appeared on many cards. New inventions allowed cards to feature embossing and gold foil.

The 1970s had an athletic Santa to reflect the public's physical fitness obsession. The United States' bicentennial also factored into Christmas cards with nostalgic art, like that of Norman Rockwell. Religious cards also saw resurgence with the decades born again Christians.

Sophistication was big in the 1980's. The larger numbers of women in business led to more feminine designs. The cards took on the appearance of fine art as technology improved. As the public continued its thinness craze, pictures on cards showed a thinner Santa.

Reindeer Trivia

According to the Alaska Department of Fish  and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each  year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late  November to mid December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they  give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to every historical  rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, every single one of them, from Rudolph to  Blitzen - had to be girl.

We should've known. Only women would be  able to drag a fat-ass man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one  night and not get lost.

Traditionalism came back, to some extent, in the 1990s. Cards featured snow- covered landscapes, wreaths and Christmas trees. Messages promoting environmental concerns were also produced. Personalized cards done on computers reflected the customization trend.

The BOSS.

The year 2000 relied on technology. Many card buyers used the Internet to order and send their Christmas cards, preventing the need to personally touch an envelope. However, those into tradition could still buy and mail their own cards.

While it's still too early to document the trends, themes and styles that will identify this decade, we do see many of the common themes that will always be a part of our Christmas tradition. Holly and ivy, children in the snow, nativity scenes, snowmen, and Santa Claus are as contemporary as they are timeless. Even the Internet "hasn't been able to put a dent" in traditional Christmas card sending, according to Denise Bracco of Recycled Paper Greetings says.

September 11th Christmas Cards

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