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The art of Christmas card design is something we often learn at school, at a young age, and then discard later in life. This is such a shame as scribbling your name in biro on a mass-produced card with a pre-written message inside just isn’t as rewarding as making one from scratch.
Artistic card-makers, young and old, should bear in mind that the picture you put on the front of the card will often reflect the kind of person you are…
The nativity scene
Sister Wendy Beckett is a big supporter of nativity scenes gracing the front of Christmas cards. The famous TV art historian was asked to choose three images for a range of Christmas charity cards. All of Sister Wendy’s designs featured nativity scenes – one of them is Madonna and Child by 15th century Italian artist Sano di Pietro. Commenting on the picture, 81-year-old Sister Wendy said: “This picture shows a very tender little Jesus.”
What kind of person sends a nativity-scene Christmas card?
A person who appreciates the quiet and stillness of many nativity scenes and the gentleness of the animals in the stable where Jesus was born. Christmas is a time of reflection for people who have had a difficult year and the message of re-birth contained in the Nativity story offers hope to everyone – whether they are religious or not.
The nostalgic scene
The first commercial Christmas card hit the shops in 1843 and featured an illustration which proved a little controversial. The picture showed a family gathered around the dinner table and attracted criticism as one of the young children seemed to be force-fed a glass of red wine by a rather matronly relative.
What kind of person sends a card with a nostalgic scene?
A person who fondly equates Christmas with more innocent Dickensian times; a person who wants to take a little step back from the commercial world.
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The winter scene
In 1998, politician William Hague sent out Christmas cards depicting a hardy shepherd battling to lead his flock home to safety over some snowy dales. As he was Conservative leader at the time, his choice of card was seen as a comment on his style of captaincy. Perhaps he just liked the beautiful painting!
What kind of person sends a winter-scene Christmas card?
Someone who likes the idea of snowy scenes appearing on mantelpieces above crackling fires. Scenes of winter are a cosy reminder of how lucky we are to be inside when it’s cold.
The summer scene
Christmas cards with summer scenes on the front often feature a photograph of the family who sent them. Prince Charles and Tony Blair have both sent out Christmas cards in the past featuring snaps of themselves and their nearest and dearest squinting in the sunlight and looking tanned on golden summer holidays.
These images might not quite seem in keeping with the time of year they are sent.
What kind of person sends a summer-scene Christmas card?
Someone who sees Christmas as a time to look back on the whole year rather than just look at the present. It’s also a time to look forward – to sunnier times!
The E-card Christmas greeting
Some companies have brought out E-cards for people who wish to save money on postage. It is too early to say whether this technological innovation will make a dent in the traditional Christmas card market - a market which accounts for almost half the greeting card sales in the UK.
What kind of person sends an E-card Christmas ‘card’?
This kind of card sender often prioritises environmental issues but does risk offending people who prefer a greeting with a more personal touch.
Isn’t making your own Christmas cards a little more in-keeping with the spirit of the season? It is certainly more artistically rewarding than just pressing the ‘send’ button on a computer!
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