Hello and welcome back to English with Ally! 

Today we’re talking about a lovely festive tradition -  and one of my favourites - Christmas cards. Where did they come from? Why do we send them? And how has this tradition changed over time? Let’s find out!

First, some words to listen out for:

• Victorian England - England during the time of Queen Victoria
• Greeting – a message to say hello or express good wishes.
• Affordable - cheap enough to buy
• Goodwill – kindness and friendly feelings towards others.
• Personalised – made special for one person, often with their name or photo.
• Matching outfits - the same clothes

The tradition of sending Christmas cards began in Victorian England. The very first commercial Christmas card was created in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole, who wanted an easy way to send holiday greetings to friends and family. The card featured a festive scene and the words “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”.

At that time, sending cards became popular because of the Penny Post, which made mailing letters affordable for everyone. Soon, Christmas cards spread across Europe and America, becoming a symbol of holiday cheer. Sending cards became a sign of good manners and social connection, and beautifully illustrated cards were often collected as memorabilia.

Nowadays, Christmas cards are a way to share goodwill, keep in touch, and show people you’re thinking of them during the festive season. They often include warm wishes, family photos, or even a short letter about the year gone by. Some families even make personalised cards with photos and matching outfits or creative designs.  In the TV show Modern Family, the family tries to create an elaborate festive photo for their Christmas card. That's in (Season 3, Episode 10, “Express Christmas”) 

Many people still send traditional paper cards, which I love, but digital cards and e-cards are becoming more common. My mother, my sister and my aunt all send me a traditional Christmas card every year and I never throw them away. They usually buy them from a charity which is a great way for the charity to make money for their good cause. Every year, I take out the same cards and decorate my home with the old ones and the new cards - they've become part of my Christmas decorations and are very special to me.

Have you ever received or sent a Christmas card? Do you prefer paper cards or digital ones? I have to say, it's much more exciting for me to receive something in the post.

That’s all for today’s episode of English with Ally. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Merry Christmas!

Learn the language, discover the culture.