Back to the Beginning: History of Greeting Cards
- Jan 5, 2025
- 2 min read
Everyone likes to open the mailbox and find a greeting card among the junk mail and bills. Those envelopes instantly bring a smile – we can’t wait to see what’s inside. The practice of sending greeting cards is almost as old as time! Let’s take a look at the history of greeting cards.
Who invented greeting cards?
There is not one person who is credited with the idea of sending greetings to others. Evidence points to the earliest greeting cards dating back to the ancient Chinese and Egyptians. People in China recognized the New Year by sharing goodwill messages with others. Egyptian greeting cards were written on papyrus and rolled into scrolls.
The purpose of a greeting card
Initially, greeting cards were meant to communicate and connect with others. They were used for sharing thoughts and wishes, ultimately bringing people together with words, symbols, and illustrations—precisely the same ways we use cards today!
Growth and history of greeting cards
It was centuries before another record of making and exchanging greeting cards was found. Greeting cards have grown in popularity over the years.
Around 1400, cards were printed with woodcuts in Germany. This technique of relief print-making uses carvings on a wood surface. The cards were used for New Year’s greetings.
According to historical records, the first Valentine's card was sent in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, a French nobleman. While imprisoned in the Tower of London, he wrote a love poem to his wife and used " Valentine " in the verses. His poem, currently part of the manuscript collection at the British Library in London, is considered the earliest surviving Valentine's Day message.
The first known Christmas card was published in London in 1843. Sir Henry Cole wanted to share a holiday card with his friends, so he hired an artist named John Calcott Horsley to design one.
Members of the Second Continental Congress appointed a Postmaster General for the United Colonies. They created the U.S. Post Office Department (predecessor to the current United States Postal Service) on July 26, 1775, which makes it the second oldest federal department or agency in the U.S.
The postage stamp came onto the scene in 1840.
The global greeting card market was valued at approximately $19 billion in 2023.
In 2024, the hot trend is for personalized and customizable cards. (Wink, wink – that’s why Word Sunshine is here!)
The purpose of a greeting card
From the beginning, greeting cards were meant to communicate and connect with others. They were used for sharing thoughts and wishes, ultimately bringing people together with words, symbols, and illustrations. Precisely the same ways we use cards today!
Many people think of birthday or Christmas cards, but cards for Valentine’s Day were the first to take off. That’s why we created a unique series of cards to keep the tradition of sending Valentine's cards alive. Find the perfect one for your Valentine, and personalize it to fit your special relationship.
