Is there a tradition for giving out Christmas cards?

The tradition of sending Christmas cards is believed to have originated in the early 19th century in England. It is said that Sir Henry Cole, a civil servant, commissioned the first commercial Christmas card in 1843. The card featured a family gathered around a table with a Christmas tree in the background, and it was sold for one shilling.

The popularity of Christmas cards quickly spread throughout England and then to other countries around the world. By the end of the 19th century, it had become a common tradition to send Christmas cards to friends and family.

In the United States, the first Christmas card is believed to have been sent in 1856 by Louis Prang, a German-born lithographer. Prang's cards were quite elaborate, and they often featured religious imagery. In the 1870s, he began mass-producing Christmas cards, and they quickly became a popular way for Americans to send holiday greetings.

Today, Christmas cards are sent by people of all faiths and backgrounds. They are a way to stay in touch with friends and family, and to spread some holiday cheer.