A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-23,24,25,26-04...Let Us Rejoice (Our Christmas Thread)

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 12-20-04 Military Monday 12-21-04 Welcome Home, Allegra 12-22-04 Deck The Finest Halls!

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

Thanks, Mixer!

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at
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CLICK

[Fiddlstix]

Click the Pics J

[LadyX]

Thank you for this wonderful present, TC -- one that reminds us in a deep way of the many things God does for us each and every day.
May we recognize His hand in all things, and praise and thank Him -- most of all for Jesus.

As Jesus said unto Thomas in John 14:6 --

"I am the way, the truth and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

May God bless you richly, old friend ---

[LadyX]

How wonderful to see you among us, Fiddlstix!

[Labyrinthos]

I love the manger. Merry Christmas, my friend.

[Victoria Delsoul]

and want you to know how much you are appreciated.

Thanks Billie. Same here.

[The Mayor]

She did a nice job didn't she?

Merry Christmas to you and Yours!

[JohnHuang2]

A Driveby to wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas!

Please stay safe, God bless and see ya soon!

Here's a group hug! (((((((((((((((((((Billie; Aquamarine; dansangel; dutchess; Mama_Bear;jwfiv;MeekOneGOP;WVNan;Pippin;FreeTheHostages; .45MAN; Aeronaut;The Thin Man;Diver Dave;Calpernia;ST.LOUIE1;Ladyx;GailA;dixie sass;Libertina;Lakeside;deadhead;JustAmy;DollyCali;kayak;Donaeus;MHGinTN;Kudsman;Dubya;Darksheare;Lakeside;The Mayor;tuliptree76;Mudboy Slim;lonestar))))))))))))))))))))))

[The Mayor]

Merry Christmas John!

[dutchess]

..from my house to yours!

[The Mayor]

Merry Christmas Dutchess!

[dutchess]

Merry Christmas Rus...Did you get much snow your way? We had 20 inches Wed night...Thursday. Fortunately we also have a very good friend with a snow plow. Hope you and your lovely family have a blessed Christmas.

[dutchess]

Merry Christmas Rus...Did you get much snow your way? We had 20 inches Wed night...Thursday. Fortunately we also have a very good friend with a snow plow. Hope you and your lovely family have a blessed Christmas.

[dutchess]

oops....hiccup time (and I haven't even tried the eggnog yet! :o) )

[The Mayor]

We are getting hit with snow right now.
I just cleaned off my van, there was an easy 6 inches on it
and ice built up, my rear doors were frozen shut..

We're heading out to go to the inlaws for Christmas eve.
be home around midnight..

Have a great Christmas.
Now you can sip the eggnog..... : )

[visualops]

Merry Christmas from my house...


...To The Finest!

[visualops]

Meant to ping you to the tree pic!

[The Mayor]

Merry Christmas!

Beautiful tree.

[Diver Dave]

... a glimpse of Christmas through the eyes of a child...

Merry Christmas!

[visualops]

Thanks!
Amazing what strategic decorations can do to a Kmart special lol

[JulieRNR21]

Greetings to all our Finest FRiends......

For the second year we have a 'Manger for Baby Jesus' in our front yard. It's a large basket filled with straw. The Baby Jesus is a life-size doll adopted from a thrift store. We have the Star of Bethelhem above Him and a spotlight at night.

Next year my husband plans to make a real manger like this one for the Baby Jesus!

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

and Georgio.....