The tradition of sending greetings transcends cultures and continents. But how did we get from simple messages etched in stone to the elaborate group video greeting cards of today? Buckle up, for we’re taking a whirlwind tour through the fascinating evolution of the greeting card!
Ancient Greeting Cards
Our story begins surprisingly far back. The Egyptians used papyrus scrolls to convey well wishes, while the Chinese exchanged elaborately decorated paper cuttings with messages of goodwill during their New Year celebrations [1]. These early forms of greeting cards were simple but laid the foundation for what was to come in the future.
Medieval Missives
Fast forward to the 1400s in Europe, and we see the rise of handmade greeting cards. Woodcuts were a popular method for printing New Year’s greetings in Germany, often featuring depictions of baby Jesus or scenes of winter festivities [2]. Valentine’s Day saw an exchange of lovingly crafted cards adorned with lace, ribbons, and even dried flowers. The British Museum even houses the oldest known Valentine’s Day card, a heartfelt note from a duke to his sweetheart in 1415 [2]!
The Penny Post Revolution
The invention of the postage stamp in 1840 was a game-changer. Suddenly, sending greetings across distances became more affordable and convenient. This paved the way for the birth of the commercial Christmas card just three years later. Sir Henry Cole in England commissioned the first widely circulated Christmas card in 1843. It featured a family scene surrounded by festive imagery and a message that read, “Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” [2].
The 20th Century Greeting Card Boom
The 20th century witnessed the true explosion of the greeting card industry. Advancements in printing technology allowed for mass production, making cards accessible to the general public. New occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and congratulations were celebrated with an ever-expanding variety of cards. Companies like Hallmark (founded in 1910) and American Greetings (founded in 1906) became household names, forever changing the way we express our emotions with adorable cartoon characters, sentimental poetry, and humorous pop-up designs.
My own memories of greeting cards as a child was that every occasion required one. Whether it was attached to a gift when going to a birthday party, handed out in person to a family member or even watching my mother post (snail mail) Christmas cards to family and friends around the world, greeting cards were always used.
It became habit and deeply entrenched. Every occasion needed the Hallmark stamp.
Greeting Cards in the 21st Century
The 21st century brought a new twist to the greeting card scene: the e-card. These electronic greetings offered convenience, animation, and sometimes even sound effects. While some saw them as a threat to traditional cards, e-cards carved out their own niche, particularly for eco-conscious senders.
The Rise of Video Cards
As with any industry, change is inevitable and as eCards become more ‘wallpaper’ than deeply personal keepsakes, video greeting cards have started to take market share and become the new greeting card. These digital creations take the concept of the e-card a step further, allowing for personalized video messages to be embedded within a digital card. Imagine sending a birthday card with a short video of you singing “Happy Birthday” or a holiday card featuring a heartfelt message from the whole family. Services like Joycards are making video card creation accessible and user-friendly.
While video cards are loved, the pinnacle of video cards are group video greeting cards. This is what Joycards offers … a greeting card that is a heartfelt keepsake made from a collection of videos from friends, family and colleagues.
They can be made for any occasion and popular cards include:
- Group video birthday cards
- Group video wedding cards
- Teacher appreciation video cards from the whole class
- Memorial video cards
- Farewell and / or retirement group video cards from the whole team
Looking Ahead
So, what does the future hold for the greeting card? Will video cards completely replace their paper counterparts? It’s unlikely. Physical cards will always have their place, but as people start realizing that video can be watched again and again over the years the value of the initial group video card increases. Plus, in a work that continues to be impacted by artificial intelligence the need for real human video wishes will grow.
Well, at least we think so :-)
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