The history of the American holiday card dates back around 180 years. Blending tradition, commerce and culture, it is a staple of the season as familiar to us as Christmas trees and Santa Claus.

Along the way, printed holiday cards have been expressions of good will among family, friends and colleagues. Some of us in Aurora, Oswego, Montgomery, Sugar Grove, Naperville, and Yorkville (IL) may even keep the holiday cards we receive in a special place.

The age of rapid technology has seen the rise of digital holiday cards as well. In some aspects, digital cards have made sense: They let us share greetings with our own customization from our own computers without having to spend on paper and postage.

At the same time, our digitally sent seasonal sentiments join the always stacking content and messages in our digital spaces such as email and social media. Some can get overlooked, lost or deleted, if not routed to spam. Those that are seen and read, often quickly, may rarely be saved for future retrieval and reflection.

Would it surprise that you printed holiday cards are still noticed, favored and appreciated in the mid-2020s? To this day, the human aspect of sharing something tangible also touched and prepared by another person speaks to what is elemental in us.

A printed card, a thoughtful gift or a branded promotional item can make a real connection with someone this coming holiday season. For businesses in particular, these simple gestures also do more than spread cheer: They reinforce relationships while keeping your brand top of mind.

In the spirit of the upcoming season, we thought it’d be fun to review the history of the holiday card in our culture – and why investing in printed holiday cards and gifts remains so rewarding.

Printed Holiday Cards: A Background

Here at Aurora Fastprint, we enjoy information and thought as much as we do providing printed solutions for Aurora, Oswego, Montgomery, Sugar Grove, Naperville, and Yorkville.

The following timeline of the holiday card suggests how far we’ve come from its inception to what can now be done with precision and vision through print.

Early roots (1840s–1860s). In 1843, Sir Henry Cole and artist John Callcott Horsley create the world’s first printed Christmas card in London. Depicting a family celebration, each card sells for a shilling. The idea crosses the Atlantic to America, where early custom-printed cards are hand-colored and mainly imported from Europe as upper-class luxury items.

Rise of domestic printing & distribution (1860s–1900s). Known as the “Father of the American Christmas Card,” German immigrant and Boston lithographer Louis Prang popularizes holiday cards in the U.S. in the 1860s–1870s. Using color printing, he makes vivid cards featuring flowers, birds, snowy landscapes and family scenes. By the 1880s, he is producing millions of cards each year. Now more accessible and affordable, holiday cards move beyond elite circles into middle-class homes.

Postcard golden age (1890s–1910s). Costing one cent to mail, postcards become the dominant form of holiday greeting in the U.S. Designs feature Santa Claus, snowy towns, children and religious motifs. Cards are often kept as keepsakes in albums.

Interwar & WWII Era (1920s–1940s). Folded greeting cards with envelopes overtake postcards. Founded in 1910 in Kansas City, Hallmark becomes prominent, promoting the folded “book-style” card around 1915. Holiday-card themes shift toward family gatherings, Americana, patriotic motifs (during the war) and religious imagery.

Postwar boom (1950s–1970s). The holiday card becomes an established U.S. tradition. Continuing middle-class prosperity lets more families mail their annual greetings. In many households, holiday cards are seen as social obligations. Popular designs include mid-century modern graphics, traditional Christmas trees, reindeer, angels and nativity scenes.

Personalization & photo cards (1980s–2000s). Advances in home printers and one-hour photo labs make it easy to insert family photos into cards to be mailed. Companies such as Kodak, Shutterfly and Snapfish begin offering custom-printed photo cards.

Digital era (2010s–2020s). E-cards emerge but do not replace printed holiday cards, as many people still prefer paper’s tangible, decorative qualities. The U.S. Postal Service processes more than 1 billion cards each year. Production trends evolve to include sustainable paper, minimalist designs, retro nostalgia and personalized photo cards with kids and pets.

Why We Still Like Printed Holiday Cards

Printed holiday cards remain a time-honored means to express and celebrate our common humanity with a personal touch. Even more than many convenient digital alternatives, they speak to us with nostalgic tradition perfected by modern customization.

Holiday cards reward return on investment by:

strengthening relationships. A holiday card or branded promotional item shows people you value them beyond a transaction. A simple “thank you” with personal recognition can turn a good customer into a loyal one.

distinguishing your brand. Many holiday cards wind up displayed on walls, desks and mantels. Branded holiday gifts likewise appear in homes and offices, and promotional items are used repeatedly. Each one of these impressions keeps your brand present and visible.

cutting through digital clutter. Emails can vanish in seconds. A custom-printed card or branded holiday gift can last from weeks to months. That’s staying power.

showing thoughtful effort. Sending a printed and signed holiday card, adding a handwritten note, or giving a branded calendar, mug or notebook as a holiday gift shows that your business puts time, thought and effort into customer appreciation.

connecting with employees & vendors as well. Holiday cards and gifts aren’t meant only for customers. They’re also ideal for thanking your staff, suppliers and partners.

One study performed for Shutterfly found that:

54% of U.S. adults still mail printed holiday cards rather than send digital ones.

Two-thirds preferred receiving a printed card in the mail to getting a digital one.

Holiday cards also aren’t just for older people. According to the study:

62% of Millennials preferred printed holiday cards.

59% of Gen Z preferred printed cards

Printed Holiday Cards: Popular Themes

When you want to customize and print special holiday cards, at Aurora Fastprint any thought or idea that inspires you is a great place to start.

The following are just a few favorite themes and designs that customers choose to express seasonal peace and warmth in the mid-2020s.

Family and personal photo cards. The largest segment of U.S. printed holiday cards, these often feature candid shots, a family portrait or a collage that represents the past year.

Pet cards. Many might include pets dressed in seasonal outfits or placed in holiday scenes.

Classic holiday imagery. These cards feature traditional symbols such as cabins, wreaths, ornaments, evergreens, winter snowscapes or reindeer and Santa Claus. Religious imagery might include angels, candles, nativity scenes or scriptural verses from different faiths.

Artisanal concepts. Holiday cards can present original art and materials that convey the timeless, warming beauty of individual expression. Soft, earthy colors; hand-drawn messages and illustrations; watercolors; letterpress printing; and textured sustainable papers are among the possibilities.

Humor & whimsy. Puns, funny illustrations or sayings, or family blooper shots can capture a lighthearted spirit conveying all is well. Whimsical, humorous cards are especially popular with younger and more-casual senders.

Luxury & elegant designs. Holiday cards can include a touch of sophistication with script fonts, metallic foils (gold, silver), embossing or minimalist designs with lines and white space.

Holiday Card Ideas: Contact Us Today

You can make a lasting, impactful impression during this year’s holidays. All it takes is the desire to reach and connect with people in ways that they’ll remember. To find out more about what’s possible for your holiday cards and promotional items in Aurora, Oswego, Montgomery, Sugar Grove, Naperville, and Yorkville (IL), just give us a call at (630) 896-5980!