Ordering page for Christmas cards with photographs of wintry scenes

Christmas cards with photograph of deep snow near Tan-y-Bwlch,
all personalised and handmade by Welsh artists.
 

write and design your own personalised xmas card - still only £2.85

Totally personalise the cover and the inside by typing your messages in the white panels below (maximum 10 words each panel) Specify words for cover Specify words for inside   If you require additional help when ordering the 'drop down page' below may help you. To return to the last page click here or view all your purchases to date click the "VIEW BASKET" below. The development of the Christmas card The design and giving of Christmas cards originated in England over 150 years ago. By the late 1800's there was such a demand for Christmas cards that many famous artists and writers were employed in what was a  growing and important industry. Writers like Kate Greenaway, and the Victorian illustrators Frances Brundage and Ellen H. Clapsaddle, were favourites at that time. Many cards became extremely elaborate and finished with fringe, silk and satin. Others were sculpted liked fans and crescents, and others cut into images of Christmas like bells, birds, candles and even plum puddings. Other Christmas cards were 'pop-up', puzzles and some made amusing noises when opened. For some strange reason this Christmas industry did not spread to America immediately but they had to import English Christmas cards for more than 30 years. Fortunately Louis Prang, a German immigrant, set up a lithographic shop and produced the first series of American Christmas cards in 1875. Soon he was printing more than five million Christmas cards each year with traditional Christmas images like snow scenes, fir trees, glowing fireplaces and children playing with toys. They were so beautifully produced his cards are collectors' items today. In the UK, John Calcott printed the first Christmas card and set it to his friend Sir Henry Cole, a wealthy industrialist, who it is claimed, came up with the concept in the first place. Many of the first images were of charity scenes with rich people giving to poor people - perhaps a reflection of guilt in an age were few were wealthy and many were poor! As with the present day, nativity scenes were always popular and illustrated by painters of the time. With the growth in electronic technology consumers developed the desire to use the Internet to send the electronic greeting card or E-card in the late 1990s. Unfortunately this lazy trend is still gaining momentum. Do talk to Peter or Rebecca if you need a specially designed and illustrated personalised birthday card, they enjoy the challenge, just click enquiry@celtic-1.co.uk