📬 National GREETING CARD Day 2025 – Apr 1

💌 National GREETING CARD Day ORIGIN & HISTORY

Neither the founder nor the creative origin of this holiday has ever truly been established. We do know National GREETING CARD Day is celebrated on the 1st Day in April.

The custom of giving greeting cards spans centuries, evolving from ancient traditions to the modern, mass-produced cards we know today. It all began with the ancient Chinese, who exchanged messages of goodwill during the New Year as part of their annual celebrations. The ancient Egyptians also shared greetings, using papyrus scrolls to convey messages for important occasions. This tradition soon spread across cultures, with handmade paper greeting cards becoming common in Europe.

The Rise of Handmade Cards

🎨 Europe (1400s – 1700s)
In the 15th century, Germany became the birthplace of printed New Year’s greeting cards, created using woodcut printing. These early cards marked a shift from handwritten messages to printed designs, and by the mid-1400s, Valentine’s Day cards began circulating in Europe as well. One of the oldest surviving Valentine’s Day cards, written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife Bonne of Armagnac, while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London, can now be seen in the British Museum.

The Industrial Revolution & Mass Production

🏭 1800s – Early 1900s
As printing technology advanced, greeting cards became more accessible. In 1843, the first commercially produced Christmas card was created in London, which led to the explosion of holiday-specific cards. By the late 1800s, companies like Marcus Ward & Co., Goodall, and Charles Bennett began mass-producing cards. Well-known artists such as Kate Greenaway and Walter Crane were hired to design illustrations, bringing even more charm to these printed messages.

The Rise of the Modern Greeting Card Industry

💌 1900s – Present
By the 1950s, the greeting card had transformed from an expensive, handmade luxury into an affordable and common way of communicating. Advances in printing technology and the expansion of the postal system helped make greeting cards accessible to a wider audience. This shift led to the rise of new types of cards, including birthday cards, sympathy cards, and thank-you cards.

The Digital Age & Beyond

📱 2000s – Today
As we entered the 21st century, the digital revolution brought new forms of greeting cards, including e-cards and musical cards, ensuring the tradition continued to evolve. Despite the digital age, physical greeting cards remain an enduring and beloved way to express love, gratitude, and celebration.

Why Greeting Cards Endure

Despite technological advancements, greeting cards remain a lasting way to express emotions, celebrate milestones, and connect personally with others. Whether handmade, mass-produced, or digital, the tradition continues to evolve while keeping its core purpose: sharing heartfelt messages.