People around the world send Christmas Cards to their friends and family.

Traditionally, Christmas cards showed religious pictures of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, or other parts of the Christmas story. Today, however, it is more common to see winter scenes, Father Christmas, cartoon characters or jokes.

In Britain, we have cards which are:

• traditional e.g. pictures of the nativity scene;

• formal e.g. a painted picture of a winter scene or Christmas Tree;

• cute e.g. a snow scene with cute little animals or

• funny e.g. Rudolf throwing snowballs at Father Christmas.

The first Christmas card was created and sent in 1843. A man named John Calcott Horsley printed the first Christmas card for Sir Henry Cole, the friend who had given him the idea.

Sir Henry Cole, a wealthy British businessman, wanted a card he could proudly send to friends and professional acquaintances to wish them a "Merry Christmas."

The card depicted a typical English family enjoying the holiday, and people performing acts of charity. An important part of Victorian Christmas spirit. A thousand copies of the card were printed and sold for one shilling. This is reportedly the first Christmas card to be produced and sold to the public.

Who sent the first ever Christmas card?

Sir Henry Cole sent the first ever Christmas card. John Calcott Horsely printed the first ever Christmas card. copyright of projectbritain.com

Did you know?
The average person in Britain sends 50 Christmas cards each year.