Handmade Greeting Cards A Centuries Old Tradition Dating Back To The Ancient Chinese

Greeting cards have been around for hundreds of years

. Did you know that every time you send greeting cards you are continuing a centuries-old tradition that dates back to the ancient Chinese? Written greeting cards were also exchanged by the ancient Egyptians on papyrus scrolls!

Handmade greeting cards became a tradition in European cultures as early as the 1400s, when handmade greeting cards were printed on paper, with woodcuts or illustrated by hand, were exchanged. These early cards were not accessible to the masses the way they are today. Not only could most people not read or write, but the hand-decorated, handmade cards were too expensive for even literate commoners.

Mass produced greeting cards, like we see today, were introduced in the late 1800s, when stationery companies hired popular artists of the day to design and illustrate their cards. It is almost a requirement today to send out greeting cards for birthdays, Christmas, New Year, Mothers and Fathers Day, Valentine etc. You can find printed or handmade greeting cards for almost any occasion.

Greeting cards have now become recognized in the world of antiques and collectibles as being very collectable items. People are starting to save the best of the photo greeting cards with the belief that over time these collections will be worth significant amounts of money.

Photographic technology has made handmade greeting cards a popular alternative to mass produced cards, especially when the occasion is very special. For many years people have sent post cards home when travelling, now more and more people are using greeting cards with selected photos on them. Inside they can share their experiences when travelling across the world. The difference between a post card and a greeting card is everyone can read the message on a post card, whereas a greeting card is carried inside an envelope keeping the message intact until opened.

Today greeting cards are a unique travelers gift. Light and easy to pack they take up minimum room in a bag. Greeting cards are a perfect way to pass a special message on to someone when you are traveling or unable to speak to them directly. A greeting card given with thought that can be sent, then framed or kept.

Handmade greeting cards can be used for many different purposes. They can be used just to say welcome, thank you, or include a very special message from one person to another. You might consider a card to be a low cost addition to a gift, but once you have written your message inside you change the value from just being a piece of paper or card into a unique almost priceless gift.

Another great use for greeting cards is as an invitation, some companies will even print the special wording in the card. Sending a quality card with a special invitation in it will make the person receiving it very honored.

It is truly amazing how many different types of greeting card there are around, finding quality greeting cards is a bit of an art these days, but when you do find them you will be amazed how good they can be.

by: Maureen Short

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