Yes, we know it’s a little early but there’s something a little bit fantastic about feeling smugly organised, right? Sending Christmas cards may have become a lost art in the digital age, but the feeling of receiving a handwritten card from a loved one is not something to besmirch.
It’s easy and effortless to say ‘Merry Christmas’ to a colleague or a friendly face on a dog walk or even to fire off a quick text, yet the process of sitting down, selecting gorgeous stationary, and crafting a personal message captures the true sentiment of the festive season.
Sending Christmas cards is actually an English tradition. This tradition began in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole decided he was simply too busy to write personal messages wishing his friends and family Merry Christmas (as was the norm at the time). Instead, he commissioned an artist called John Horsley to design a card. Horsley’s design was hand drawn and featured adults and children raising wine glasses in a toast. The message underneath: A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.
Cole’s custom took off, partially due to the cost (cards could be sent for just a penny in 1843), and partially due to the controversial picture Horsley had created (a family, holding wine glasses and surrounded by religious symbols was considered out-there).
The creation of the Christmas card was then originally, a support of an independent designer - John Horsley. Madder Cutch & Co’s Christmas cards allow you to also support an independent designer, although, we really do recommend a personal message rather than opting for Cole’s ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.
There’s a common school of thought that sending christmas cards is detrimental to the environment – yet another disposable item to be strewn aside. Enter: Madder Cutch & Co.
We create beautifully designed cards that are printed using sustainably sourced plant dyes and pigments. Our original designs are hand screen-printed and made from plant extracts woad, madder, cutch, weld and pigments such as charcoal. We use the latest, most environmentally friendly methods, to show off the colours at their beautiful best. These colours have been used since antiquity and have a long and interesting history - much like the Christmas card. One idea might be to send one of our cards with an empty frame so the beautiful print and memory inside are preserved.
So, what are you waiting for? Select your cards, settle down, and pen a note to your favourite few.
Join our Christmas printing workshop to make your own, sustainable, hand printed cards.