Christmas Card Day

Celebrated on 12/09/2026

Quick Fact

The first Christmas card was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in 1843 and designed by John Horsley, depicting a family celebrating Christmas. Only 1,000 copies were printed, and one sold at auction for nearly £25,000 in 2001.

Origins and Establishment of Christmas Card Day

Christmas Card Day is celebrated on December 9th, commemorating the first commercial Christmas card. In 1843, Sir Henry Cole, a British civil servant, commissioned artist John Horsley to design a card to send to friends and acquaintances. The card featured a family gathered around a table enjoying a feast, with smaller panels showing acts of charity. The tradition quickly spread, aided by the introduction of the penny post in Britain, making card sending affordable for the masses.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Over time, Christmas cards evolved from simple designs to elaborate, mass-produced cards featuring festive scenes, religious motifs, and personalized messages. The 20th century saw the rise of photo cards and digital e-cards. Today, Christmas Card Day encourages people to send physical or digital cards to loved ones. Despite the decline in traditional mail due to email and social media, billions of Christmas cards are still exchanged annually, with the average American sending about 30 cards each year.

Facts & General Observations

• The first Christmas card sold for 1 shilling (about 50 cents) in 1843; today, original copies are worth thousands of dollars.
• In 2022, the U.S. Postal Service delivered over 2 billion holiday cards and letters during the holiday season.
• The most popular Christmas card designs feature snow scenes, Santa Claus, and religious imagery, with about 1.6 billion cards sold in the U.S. each year.

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