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.

[Calpernia]

I LOVE that song. Unfortunately older Real Player versions don't support the rpm extensions. See if you can download the update from here: http://service.real.com/help/errors/error11.html

[Billie]

Good morning, Tonk - appreciate your coming today to wish all of us a blessed Christmas with that beautiful graphic. Hope that you have a wonderful one, and thank you again for all that you do for our troops, every single day.

[Billie]

Oh, it's good to see you again today, Texagirl, and thank you for your wishes, and your compliments.

Happy Holidays!

[firewalk]

Your card is wonderful Colleen
(thank you for the ping)

My very best wishes to everyone at the Finest

[Billie]

Oh my gosh! I haven't looked at the thread yet but the hostess greeting is just *so* beautiful!

Thanks, Freezie - I'm glad you like it (and thank you for your next post - after 'looking at the thread'! LOL)

Know this 'card' is kinda odd, but there's a reason (and it has nothing to do with Dems!) Mr. B's niece keeps saying how much she would like to have a donkey, so this little cutie, which we will board for her, is a surprise Christmas present. The 'card' will go under the tree - we'll walk out the back door tomorrow, and she will see the real thing. :)

[Billie]

Thanks, Aqua - for your sweet words here and in FR Mail!Thank you for Vince Gill's "What Child is This?" Love his voice - caught part of a Christmas program last night with him. :)

[Billie]

Our coffee and our Spiritual Message is here now. Thank you, Rus. The merriest of Christmases to you and your family. May one of your best gifts be a wonderful job opportunity for the new year!

Cookies & Milk for you

[Calpernia]

Hee hee. Before I'm off and running for the day, had to borrow and add to that pic Billie! CLICK! and select play.

Enjoy!
Dominick, The Italian Christmas Donkey
Lou Monte

[Mama_Bear]

Oh, that donkey is just the cutest thing! How wonderful to be a little girl at Christmas and to find a real live donkey under the tree. I can imagine she is going to be thrilled, and I can imagine your anticipation of her delight when she first sees her donkey.

[dixie sass]

Merry Christmas and a Healthy Happy New Year. It's great to spend the holidays with friends and family like y'all.

Many hugs and lots of love to each of you and your families.

Dixie

[dixie sass]

Hi Lori, Merry Christmas and a Beary New Year.

[dixie sass]

What a comforting scene, Valerie. Merry Christmas.

[xp38]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all who read this

[dixie sass]

Amen.

Hi Dave! I just looked out the door and if the clouds were a little lower and fluffier and a tad colder, I would swear that we were going to have a white Christmas in Charleston.

Last time that happened was in 1989 after Hugo. It was beautiful - it started snowing the evening of the 23rd and snowed for almost two days. We woke-up to a shimmering, shining new world that Christmas day.

[dixie sass]

Over the river and thru the woods to Grandmother's house we go. Doesn't that scene just remind you of that poem?

[dixie sass]

Hello Flyboy, you going to stay grounded tomorrow? Merry Christmas!

[SpookBrat]

Billie, that is the sweetest thing ever. What a nice idea and how generous of you to board it. I love Christmas because of children. They bring me so much joy with their anticipation and great happiness this time of year. When my kids are grown, I'll have to find someone else's kids to share Christmas with. LOL

(If you're ever at an antique store and find a Christmas postcard with Santa's suit being anything other than red, snatch it up. They are very rare and valuable).

How about some Glenn Cambell? Click

Calpernia, I had to ping you because of your children. :) Hope you have a wonderful next 24 hours with your precious family.

[dixie sass]

Hello MnM, Merry Christmas! That poor little Cockatoo must be freezing!

[dixie sass]

I wish the same for you Colleen. Merry Christmas

[dixie sass]

Merry Christmas Gail. Will y'all have snow in Memphis?