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| Sunday, 19 December 2004 |
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Saying it with cards : Real world & virtual by Umangi de Mel Christmas is in the air .... Vibrant, joyful and expensive. Greens and reds sit elegantly all over the world making it look like one big Christmas tree.
Gifts and especially cards that improve by the year; and come in all sizes and shapes and via the net too!! So now it's practically a war between e-cards and the age-old-ones. What would you pick ? Kishali, 17 I prefer sending a real card. E-cards might seem pretty convenient but it doesn't have the same feel that you get out of sending a real card. I guess it's because most of us have got used to sending normal greeting cards for many years. Chethani, 20
Jayani, 24 It depends on the person. If that person means a lot to me, I'd definitely take the trouble to actually buy a card and post it. But if it's just a friend who wouldn't be bothered, then I'd go ahead with e-cards, of course showing that I care at the same time even if it was just an e-card. But honestly most of the time, you feel a bit reluctant to go out of your way to shop for cards. Yuwani, 22
Danya 24 Why spend so much on Hallmark on Uthumpathum of whatever it is, when you can easily send a hallmark card on the net? The main thing is, it's quite cheap and convenient as well. I don't receive cards often so even if it was just an e-card, I'd be glad somebody remembered me at all. Sebastian 19 I guess I'm a bit of an old fashioned person who'd rather do it the usual old way. I mean, I personally feel good to receive an actual card thru' snail mail so I'd do it too to make somebody else happy. E-cards are convenient but the feeling is so much different. After all sending a card is a way in which you tell someone that you care. So it might as well be nice and solid. Kumar 20 Well, it depends. If it's a close friend or a relative I'd send a real card. But to tell you the truth, it's much easier to just send an e-card. Neranja 22
Fazina M. 18 I love sending and receiving cards. You get all sorts of cute and funny e-cards on the net. I don't see a point in 'card-shopping' when you can easily get stuff you like on the net. Shirley 17 I haven't sent greeting cards in a while. If it's a family member, of course I take the trouble to go card-hunting, which is not a nice experience considering the cost and the long tiring walk. Sachini 15
Stephan 22 I'd rather stick to actual cards irrespective of the cost and the botheration. It says so much more than an e-card which is of course much cheaper and easier but receiving an actual card shows that somebody really took the trouble just for you and you feel really good. I'd be. And I'd always do the same cause it's pointless sending just about anything for the sake of sending a card. **** The first Christmas card When London's John Calcott Horsley invented the first Christmas card in 1843 as a favour to Henry Cole, neither man had any idea of the impact it would have in Britain and later in America. Even the early Christmas card manufacturers believed Christmas cards to be a vogue which would soon pass. They operated on a quick turn basis and did not bother to document the cards they produced. However, the Christmas card was destined to become an integral part of the holiday season. By 1880 their manufacture was big business, creating previously unknown opportunities for artists, writers, printers, and engravers. The 'trick card' was the most popular Christmas card of the Victorian era. While infinite in variety, it always featured some element of surprise. While seemingly simple at first glance, the turning of a page, the pulling of a string, or the moving of a lever would reveal the unexpected, showing the card to be more complex than first imagined. Pull out flower cards were among the most treasured of trick cards. An example from 1870 is that of red, white and yellow roses encased in a fan shaped handle. Pull the silken thread dangling from the handle and the card opens to twice it's size. Five separate rose petals come into view, each surrounded with lilies of the valley and imprinted with quotes from poets such as Wordsworth and Keats. Another popular trick card employed the use of realistic reproductions of money and checks. The resemblance was close enough to be deceptive when first opening the card. The 'Bank of Love' card was so similar to a real five pound note that it was withdrawn soon after being issued. Cards resembling checks would be issued from 'The Bank of Blessings' for 'Ten Thousand Joys.' Railway tickets were printed with 'Prosperity' being the destination from 'All Difficulties,' transferable 'Only To Old Friends.' 'Tab cards' comprise the largest group of trick cards. They consisted of two cardboard sections attached at the edges while a tab between the two enabled a different scene or text to be brought into view when manipulated. One such card considered daring in the late 1880's wished the receiver a 'Joyous Yuletide' while featuring a young women whose legs appeared to move as if dancing when the tab was pulled. Trick cards were among the many Christmas cards the Victorians collected in special scrapbooks. Great enjoyment was found in sharing their cards with family and friends throughout the entire year. Those albums are today what enables us to, glimpse yet another facet of the Victorian world. - The Country Register - by Laurie Nienhaus |
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So, 'tis the season to be jolly and be a bit more thoughtful as well.
Celebrating the season your own way, dropping the loved ones a few lines,
you've gotta be in the mood to give than receive.
E-cards are like a trend which at the same time, saves time and money.
Greeting cards are pretty expensive these days and you feel rather
reluctant to buy anything more than two to three cards. I guess e-cards is
the best solution.
E-cards are obviously easier and cheaper but it's nicer to send and
receive an actual card you feel more special and pleased because someone,
actually took the trouble to buy a card for you. It's the thought that
makes you feel good.
Sending greeting cards has been a tradition from time immemorial. May
it be actual or just e-cards, what matters most is the thought. People are
quite busy thus they may find it difficult to spend time buying cards.
That could be the reason why a lot of people have switched to e-cards.
Definitely not an e-card. I'm not into all the net strff. The normal
cards are so much exciting and you feel good that you actually bothered to
shop for a card. Personally I'd be very happy to receive an actual card
rather than a boring e-card.
