The Christmas Card Dilemma: To Send or Skip?

Christmas cards have been an enduring holiday custom, originating as early as the early 1600s. This tradition gradually evolved in England and gained significant popularity in 1843 with the creation and dispatch of the first recognized commercial card via the “penny post”. Initially, only the affluent could afford to send Christmas cards until transportation advancements broadened access, enabling the lower classes to exchange Christmas greetings via mail. Queen Victoria further popularized this tradition by sending Christmas cards featuring a portrait of her family. Within approximately 40 years, the practice became widespread, leading to the production of over 11 million cards in 1880.

Fast forward nearly two centuries, the Christmas card sector and the USPS estimate around 1.3 billion cards are annually sent. During winter, mailboxes brim with letters and envelopes from dear ones. The digital era has simplified the designing and ordering of Christmas cards. Some services even include addressing envelopes and dispatching the cards to your entire contact list.

We delight in sending Christmas cards to share our yearly news in one go, and equally enjoy receiving them. It’s heartwarming to see children grow, admire new babies, celebrate weddings, and remember those who have departed. But as the stack grows on the counter, finding a display solution for all the cards is essential. Simply moving them around or stuffing them in a basket lessens the joy they bring. Displaying them throughout the holiday season keeps the Christmas spirit alive among friends.

Displaying Christmas cards effectively so they remain visible yet unobtrusive during the season can be challenging if not done right. Without a designated spot, they can become a source of stress instead of fun. Here are three fantastic display ideas for Christmas cards:

Garland

Garlands are a holiday decor favorite in many households. Why not utilize them for card displays? Any garland, with the addition of clothespins or clips, can turn into a display for Christmas cards. Whether it’s a live green cedar bough, a festive ribbon, or a strand strung with wooden beads, these garlands offer a straightforward way to showcase cards.

Framed Chicken Wire

A laid-back, farmhouse-style display can be easily crafted with some DIY skills. A simple four-sided frame with metal chicken wire attached to the back creates an ideal Christmas card holder. If you expect a large number of cards, either make multiple frames or create an oversized one to accommodate all the cards. Clothes pins make it easy to attach and rearrange the cards.

Tree

In keeping with the Christmas theme, a table-top wire tree is another charming way to display Christmas cards. The cards become ornaments, adorning the simple tree as they accumulate. Naturally, if you receive too many cards and run out of branches, you might need to expand to a small grove of Christmas card trees.

Christmas cards remain a time-honored holiday tradition, fostering connections with those we cherish most. Their effort each year is worth it, as they serve as unique, personalized holiday decorations like no other!