Happy holidays!

Christmas is round the corner and so millions of people all over the world are exchanging holiday cards, a tradition that dates back to 1843. Here you have 5 curious facts about Christmas cards:

1. The first Christmas card was sent by Sir Henry Cole in 1843. Visit Vite's Postcrossing blog to learn more about the origins of this custom.

First Christnas Card

2. Christmas Cards are an industry in the U.K. and in the U.S. According to the Greeting Card Association, Americans purchased some 2 billion individual and boxed Christmas cards in 2015! This latest Market Report shows that the UK greeting card market continues to be a major British success story with a value of over £1.6 billion at retail.

Source: Greeting Cards Association

3. It is a tradition that now surpasses beliefs and religion. Although many people associate holiday cards with Christmas and Hanukkah, people around the world share holiday cards at the end of each year. In many countries, cards refer to the New Year rather than Christmas. But even in countries where Christians are a distinct minority, Christmas cards are sent out to celebrate the “secular” Santa Claus Christmas.

4. The White House sends more that 1 million annual holiday cards. The first official Christmas card was issued by President Eisenhower in 1953.

5. Only 15% of the cards are sent by men, their preferred greeting being Merry Christmas

Happy Christmas everyone and our very best wishes for the New Year!

Ricardo Irimia, alumno de galego, gañador do concurso de tarxetas de felicitación de Nadal.

We will be back to our regular posting in January.