A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-24,25,26-03 ~ Let Us Rejoice

Billie

[Billie]

(The following excerpts are from Better Homes & Gardens 1993
"Holiday Celebrations"; information & Christmas Cards furnished
by Hallmark Cards, Inc.)

Although the Christmas season has been celebrated for centuries, it wasn't until the last half of the 19th century that printed cards were widely exchanged. Until that time, only a few people sent hand-written Christmas messages - those who could read and write, and afford to pay a messenger. This changed in the mid-1800s, when many people were learning to read and write through free public schools.

The passage of the Penny Postage Act in England in 1840 finally put the price of mailing letters within almost everyone's reach.

The idea of Christmas cards came only three years after England's postal reform. Henry Cole, a London businessman, originated the practice in 1843 when he asked John Calcott Horsley, an artist in the Royal Academy, to design a card conveying his Christmas wishes. The card is believed to be the first commercially-printed Christmas card.

The first-known Christmas card, designed in 1843 by British
artist John Horsley. Only a dozen specimens of the first card
are known to exist. Two of these, including one that has never
been used, are part of the Hallmark Historical Collection in
Kansas City, Missouri.

Several of England's early greeting card companies were established in the 1860s. Cards manufactured from 1860 theough the 1890s by Publisher Charles Goodall & Son and other English competitors - Marcus Ward & Co., De La Rue & Co., and Raphael Tuck & Co. (later called Raphael Tuck & Sons) - are highly sought by collectors because of their limited availability. These cars were exported to the United States and are usually as easy to find here as the domestic cards of the same period.

Sending holiday greeting cards was slow to spread to America. For more than 30 years, the only ones available in this country were imported. Then in 1875, German immigrant Louis Prang, of Boston, began publishing an American version of the popular English missives. By 1881, only six years after the production of his first Christmas cards, Prang was printing 5 million cards a year - most of them Christmas cards. In order to acquire excellent designs, he sponsored contests for artists, with prizes up to $4,000!

Louis Prang, the "father of the American Christmas card",
published this sweet child gracing the cover of a collection
of hymns in 1888.

Prang is credited with establishing card designs with which
we're familiar today. His cards were works of art, often
incorporating as many as 20 different colors.

In the 1890s, the penny-postcard craze hit America, and soon inexpensive German-made postcards flooded the market. Although the cards were crude, the price was right. Until World War I, Germany monopolized the business.

This penny postcard, published in Germany in 1909, features
robins - popular because, according to legend, a small brown
bird fanned a fire to keep the Christ child warm. During the
vigil, the bird's breast was seared scarlet.

The modern greeting card industry began in the early 1900s with the birth of such companies as Hallmark Cards (then known as Hall brothers, Inc.), Rustcraft, Buzza, and American Greetings. Even during the Depression, printed greetings were popular. Money was scarce, so many people sent cards instead of gifts.

World War II shortages curtailed the paper supply. Giltter became more scarce than gold, but still greeting cards survived. The cards became very patriotic - the use of the flag was popular, and even often carried by Santa. Special cards were created for soldiers overseas. "Across the miles" and "Missing you" sentiments reflected the somber reality of the day.

The American flag and the Statute of Liberty are united
for freedom in this inspiring 1942 greeting card.

The Christmas card custom has weathered war, economic turmoil, and social changes spanning well over a century. It serves the timeless human need to stay close, to share special thoughts with friends far and near during our most cherished holiday seasons.

Cards have come a long way since 1843. Designs are more sophisticated; production processes have been refined. But the message on that first Christmas card is as relevant today as it was then ..... "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you".

From all of us to all of you, it is our wish that this Christmas is your best one yet; that your blessings are many; your loved ones are with you; and most of all, that Christ is in your heart.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-22-03 Military Monday 12-23-03 Christmas Music

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man
at
danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[visualops]

Thank you very much Billie, appreciate it. FR is a wonderful community, but like most established neighborhoods, it takes a while to "fit in" and get comfortable. Everyone here has been great in that regard.
Merry Christmas to all!!

[Mixer]

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Sorry I do not have my full ping list here or my letters. My PC that had them crashed :(

Hope everyone has a wonderful Chistmas and a Very Happy New Year.

[Billie]

There you are! I missed you and worried about you yesterday when I hadn't seen you before I had to leave. Hope your paws have thawed out by now. :)

Merry Christmas, Wolfie!

[Billie]

Thank you, Nan and Merry Christmas, I love you!

[Billie]

Uh-Oh!! You're in trouble... ...you haven't given Wolfie his Christmas hug. Bad girl. : (

Uh-Oh, okay, here! (I just gave you a holiday *kiss* a few posts ago though)

(((((((((Wolfie))))))))

[Billie]

Merry Christmas, Dear Julie!

(((((((((((Julie & Georgio))))))))))))

[The Mayor]

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. —Matthew 2:10

If you make room for Jesus in your heart, He will make room for you in heaven.

[The Mayor]

December 25, 2003

Christmas Choice

Read: Matthew 2:1-12

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. —Matthew 2:10

Bible In One Year: 2 John, 3 John, Jude

---

The glitter of bright decorations, the sound of joyous Christmas carols, the happy children, and the cheerful "Merry Christmas" greetings sometimes give the impression that everybody is glad that Jesus came to our planet. But that isn't true today, and it never was.

The news of Jesus' birth evoked a mixed reaction. The wise men joyfully welcomed and worshiped the Savior (Matthew 2:10-11). But King Herod was so troubled when he heard about it that he tried to find and kill the baby Jesus (vv.3-4,16). Most people, however, were unaware of the significance of what had happened.

Still today, multitudes honor Jesus and rejoice in their salvation. But many others hate Him. They grumble about the singing of Christmas carols in shopping malls and the display of nativity scenes in public places. Others are apathetic. They go along with the celebration of the season. They may join in singing Christmas carols, but they never ask themselves who Jesus is or why He came. They don't think of their need to believe on Him and receive Him as their Savior.

Are you among the indifferent? To ignore Him and His claims is to reject Him. Christmas demands a decision about Christ. The choice is yours. —Herb Vander Lugt

What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be;
Someday your heart will be asking,
"What will He do with me?" —Simpson

If you make room for Jesus in your heart, He will make room for you in heaven.

[Billie]

A Blessed Christmas to you, Salvation, and thank you for your wishes....and the link. :)

[Billie]

Merry Christmas to you, lonestar. And special Heavenly doggie treats to weinie.

[Billie]

I must go now, but gosh, what beautiful cards everyone has been posting. Wolfie, for remembering whoever with that beautiful sentiment, you brought tears to my eyes. Nan, what a special, personal touch you gave to every one of us. Colleen, thank you so very much for the President and First Lady Christmas 04 card and message. Thank you, Lori, for your special card to the Sistahs. Dansy, Merry Christmas, Dear Sistah - I hope you are enjoying your holiday.

Thanks to ALL of you, and hope your day today is richly blessed.

[Billie]

Mixer! Where have you been?!!! I was just about to go, but see you visited this morning - at last! Special Christmas Wishes to you and yours, Dear FRiend!

[JohnHuang2]

Have a very, very Merry Christmas, my friend -- God bless!

[kayak]

To all of you ...

[WVNan]

WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS, VISUALOPS.

[WVNan]

MIXER, MAY YOUR CHRISTMAS BE JOYOUS.

[lonestar]

Merry Christmas to you.

I've been getting "messages" that "somebody" would like to be home today. Weinie loved Santa Paws and getting under the Christmas tree. I've caught myself closing the door to block off the tree several times before remembering I don't need to. Last year Weinie chewed wires on a string of lights--not plugged in.

Weinie's friend, Scout, went to Rainbow Bridge at the age of 4 months. The electric cord she chewed was plugged in.

On a brighter note--two of my friends came home from the hospital this week after surgery and with good news. After much concern around our little town, where almost everybody knows almost everybody, it has made for a Merry Christmas. After the "hectic" of leading up to Christmas and relatives who left yesterday, I'm enjoying a quiet Christmas Day.

[visualops]

Wow thanks! Merry Christmas to you too! That is so cute! The little twinkling lights :)
Reminds me of a little miniature "Christmas" town with all these fiber optics that I saw while shopping. I love that sort of thing.

[WVNan]

I pray you are having a good day. I just had to try out my new flat screen monitor that Santa brought me. Made breakfast for son's wife and inlaws. It was fun to have people in the house on Christmas morning. It's been lonely since the children all left home and live far away.

[WVNan]

Oh, I forgot. I think I bought that Christmas town with the fiber optics you saw. LOL. I set it up in the parlor and it's really pretty.