Christmas cards have been an old form of gift-giving for a long time. The first known Christmas card was sent by Michael Maier to King James I of England and his son, Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, in 1611. The first commercially available card was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole and designed by John Callcott Horsley in London in 1843. Since the 19th century, many families and individuals have chosen to make their own Christmas cards. People put warm wishes, heartfelt messages and festive greetings on Christmas cards to spread joy and celebrate the holiday season. Many include personal notes, family updates or meaningful quotes to connect with loved ones.
But, many are not turning to Christmas cards as their preferred method of greeting anymore.
“I used to only give out Christmas cards to my teachers, but now, I give them to only my close friends. However, it is definitely not my first choice as a gift,” said sophomore Minna Al-Dabbagh. “I do think they can mean a lot to someone who cares, but I love gift-giving. Now, a sweet and thoughtful card expressing why you gave them a card is what I think is the special thing about Christmas cards. It is not my first choice because, again, I like gift-giving, more than just spreading words.
AI-Dabbagh’s approach highlights a generational shift towards the preference to express love personally through methods, such as gift-giving, over traditional card exchanges, which usually involves generic messages. For many, the act of giving a card becomes special when given to someone who holds a place in one’s heart.
“I think that, like, most young families will do it because they want to … share about their kids and how much they’ve changed, and their cute little family, and then as life gets busier, you just don’t send them out as much,” said Director of International Student Program Raena Mullan.
Mullan highlighted how cards help people stay connected, even far apart. However, as families become busier, sending cards might not feel as important or manageable as it once was. With the rise of digital communication, people sought this convenient way rather than handwriting letters, word by word. They also cost zero dollars to create, making online platforms, like Canva, more popular to send photos to loved ones.
Although Christmas cards are now considered old-fashioned, they still offer something unique that online messages can’t: A personal, heartfelt touch. Cards can be kept as physical memories, reminding people of love and kindness for years. They are more than just a way to say an easy greeting — They’re a way to reconnect and show someone they matter. Adding a family photo or a fun story can make them even more special.
Society is like stepping on the gas nowadays, in which people accelerate their work pace and everyone is busy. However, Christmas is not only a celebration, but also essential for bringing people together. Though less popular today, the idea behind Christmas cards — sharing kindness and joy — will always be part of the holiday spirit. Whether through a card or a thoughtful gift, showing love and appreciation will never go out of style.
