Why are Victorian Christmas cards so weird?
Such novelty cards can be traced back to the Victorians, who “had a delightful childlike taste in what they considered artistic pleasures and enjoyments beneath the discipline in their daily lives”. Over the years, these designs ranged from humanised animals and birds, to scary, and even occasionally violent clowns.
What do you write in a traditional Christmas card?
General
- “Best wishes for a joyous Christmas filled with love, happiness and prosperity!”
- “May all that is beautiful, meaningful and brings you joy be yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year!”
- “Merry Christmas!
- “May your holidays sparkle with joy and laughter.”
What is a Victorian Christmas card?
Victorian Christmas Cards. These small cards often depicted religious imagery, or myths and legends, however some ended up showing some strange things too. John Callcott Horsley is known to be the first illustrator of a Christmas card, which was commissioned on May 1st 1843, by Sir Henry Cole.
What was pictured on the first ever Christmas card?
The first Christmas card was a three panel illustration depicting family and charity with a space to write the recipient and sender’s names. Who invented the first Christmas card? Sir Henry Cole invented the first Christmas card and John Callcott Horsley illustrated it.
When were Victorian Christmas cards delivered?
1843
Queen Victoria sent the first official Christmas card, and Sir Henry Cole, who amongst other things was an assistant to Sir Rowland Hill in the introduction of the penny post and the first Director of the V&A, commissioned the first commercial Christmas card in 1843.
Why are there dead birds on Victorian Christmas cards?
Though many cards seem to be capricious one-offs, a few themes did emerge. Dead birds in many of these cards are thought to either represent the plight of the poor—who were likely to die in the cold winter streets—or to be a more general symbol for the winter season.
Why did Victorians put dead birds on Christmas cards?
Some historians have suggested that the portrayal of dead animals on nineteenth century Christmas cards were meant to serve as a reminder of the poor and hungry during the holiday season. Stories of poor children freezing to death were common during the winter in Victorian England.
What 2 Christmas traditions did the Victorians introduce?
Victorian Christmas Traditions
- Christmas Inspired by Royalty. Several of the traditions we know and love today are rooted in Germanic heritage thanks to Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert.
- Decorating Christmas Trees.
- Turkey or Festive Bird for Dinner.
- Giving Gifts.
- A Pudding with a Twist.
- Gifts of Gratitude.
What did a Victorian Christmas look like?
The Victorians also transformed the idea of Christmas so that it became centred around the family. The preparation and eating of the feast, decorations and gift giving, entertainments and parlour games – all were essential to the celebration of the festival and were to be shared by the whole family.