31 Days to Christmas Day 9: Christmas Cards

According to Wikipedia, "The first commercial Christmas cards were commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in London in 1843 and featured an illustration by John Callcott Horsley.  The picture, of a family with a small child drinking wine together, proved controversial, but the idea was shrewd: Cole had helped introduce the Penny Post three years earlier.  Two batches totaling 2,050 cards were printed and sold that year for a shilling each."  

Since that time, the Christmas card business has exploded.  Each year, we receive more than a handful of cards from family and friends.  We always take joy in reading the greetings, letters, and seeing the pictures.  Even if you don’t normally send Christmas cards, I would encourage you to send at least a few this year.  It’s a great way to spread Christmas cheer and remind friends and family that you love them and are thinking about them. 

You don’t necessarily have to buy them either.  Here are some great ideas for homemade Christmas cards. 

I also wanted to include some really neat ideas I've found for projects to do with old Christmas cards.  Below are photos of ideas and if you click on them, some of them even have instructions on how to make the item.  I always hate throwing away old cards since they're so pretty. Now, I don't have to!  

Quick and easy gift tags from old cards!

These ideas make me want to get busy!!

So this year as you send out Christmas cards, think about the Angels’ message of peace on earth and think of yourself as a shepherd, going to tell all who will listen about this child you’ve found. 

Luke 2:13-18

And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest; and on earth, peace; good will to men.  And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go, even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  And when they had seen, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  All they who heard it, wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.