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.

[lonestar]

HELP! I'm lost! Save dessert.

[MeekOneGOP]

Merry Christmas to you ! :O)

[GulfWar1Vet]

God bless you U.S. Military in Iraq/Afghanistan!


I am a newbie here for FR's Finest..Hello!

[Molly Pitcher]

Billie, this is the MOST beautiful thread. Thank you!!

Hope it's not to late to say to everyone here at the Finest: Merry Christmas!!!

Sons are home for the week, and between them, the activities, and my husband on vacation, I'm just not online much, but thinking of you and all you do and mean to me & FR.

[The Thin Man]

CLOSE YOUR EYES, TMAN !!!
(do not see that I left out a measly old 'e' in the second beautiful..:(

the letter thief should take Christmas Day off, at least...sheesh!

Being Christmas, I'll just pretend to have never seen it (or better yet blame it on Billie, hehe).

Merry Christmas, M'Lady!

[The Thin Man]

I hope everyone is having a very blessed Christmas!

[LadyX]

Merry Christmas it is indeed, TMan, now that you have graced us with your presence here..:))

Hope yours was as wonderful as mine.

[The Thin Man]

Dinner will be served at 5:00. Please join us.

Billie, I'm sorry I was unable to show up for dinner.

Ok, that's not completely true. I was able but was afraid you'd drop one of those mushroom-shaped cookies on my plate. :-)

[DollyCali]

Billie, the thread posting is simply beautiful! Thank you .. you have such a gift and it is wonderful that you share it with us all. God Bless & have a great weekend! (and like the rest of us, prolly need to fast for a day or so !)

[The Thin Man]

Merry Christmas it is indeed, TMan, now that you have graced us with your presence here..:))

Hope yours was as wonderful as mine.

Awww, you embarrass me with your kind words. :-)

I'm so glad yours was wonderful, and yes, mine was very nice, also.

[WVNan]

That is such a beautiful message, Maggie. As usual your heart shows through with such clarity. It has indeed been a blessed Christmas. Even though we got word yesterday that Jack's last remaining aunt passed away yesterday morning, and it looks as if Uncle John will join her before long, still we feel blessed because of the nearness of two babies. One is the Babe of Bethlehem whom we worshiped in a beautiful candlelight service at church last night. The other is the babe growing in our daughter-in-law's womb as we watch it's progress in a series of ultra sound pictures. It has brought two families closer together. Her family shared Christmas breakfast with us in our home, and we shared Christmas dinner with them in their home. It made for a lovely day without overburdening anyone. So we are counting our blessings. Besides I got to talk to my favorite Sistah yesterday for a few minutes before my doorbell interrupted us so rudely.

[WVNan]

Thank you for the beautiful card Victoria. I hope you had a blessed Christmas.

[LadyX]

A very sincere 'Welcome' to you!
Many of us on The Finest are veterans, and Billie created this thread specifically to honor them.

It has since been expanded to honor All Things Finest - persons - holidays - war dogs - each of The United States of America are being featured - etc. - and always do we lift up our President and our military forces, wherever they might be, with prayers...

We look forward to your being among us daily.

[Frank_2001]

And Merry Christmas to you!

[WVNan]

Welcome to our little village. We honor all veterans here. We pray that you have had a glorious Christmas.

[Frank_2001]

Merry Christmas, Victoria!

[WVNan]

Molly! I missed you last night. Want to wish you a Merry Christmas. I know you are happy to have your children home.

[LadyX]

Now my day is REALLY complete, Sistah Nan..:))
I've been on the phone with a call from Steve, my older son in Florida, for nearly an hour, and now here you are!

It has been such a delightful year, the Lord showering us with blessings, one of which was getting to spend time with you and Jack. Life-changing, it was..:))

Need to gear down and get ready for the nighttime routine.
{{{{{ Hugs}}}}} for everyone!

[WVNan]

Dolly, I'm glad you came out tonight. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU! May the spirit of Christmas stay with you throughout the year.

[Mo1]

Merry Christmas Y'All