In 1843, Sir Henry Cole started the tradition of sending Christmas cards. He wanted everyday people in England to use their postal system, just as well-to-do folks and government officials did.
Cole's friend, artist John Calcott Horsley, designed the card. They sold a total of 2,050 cards that year for 1 shilling each (quite a bit of money in those days and equal to $6.15 in today's currency).
In 2012, it was estimated that 1.6 billion Christmas cards are bought and sent in the United States each year.
Visit this site for more information on the history of the Christmas card:
I wonder with technology if this number is declining....
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