How
have Christmas cards changed to reflect trends
and traditions? 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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FIREFIGHTER SAMPLES CLICK HERE
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