Alva Review-Courier -

Ann Hodgman, in Smithsonian Magazine, says, “This season, 65 percent of Americans will send Christmas cards or letters.” It’s a tradition for many and the bane of others.

The custom of sending Christmas cards was begun in England in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. Designed by his artist friend John Horsley, the original showed people caring for the poor on either side and a large family Christmas dinner in the middle. Some people didn’t approve because it showed a child being given a glass of wine!

Before 1840, it was costly to send mail but the railroad brought the price down to one penny. Printing m...