GREETING CARDS

A greeting card is a piece of card stock, usually with an illustration or photo, made of high quality paper featuring
an expression of friendship or other sentiment. Although greeting cards are usually given on special occasions
such as birthdays, Christmas or other holidays, such as Halloween, they are also sent to convey thanks or express
other feelings (such as condolences or best wishes to get well from illness).

HISTORY:

Early Origins: The tradition of exchanging written greetings can be traced back to ancient Chinese and Egyptian
cultures, where messages of goodwill were exchanged to mark the New Year.

15th century: In Europe, handmade paper greeting cards began to appear in the 1400s. These cards were often
created for special occasions and were exchanged between friends and family.

18th century: The exchange of cards on Valentine's Day gained popularity in England during the 18th century. The
oldest known Valentine's Day card, commonly known as the "St. Valentine's Day Love Letter" was written by
Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife, Bonne of Armagnac while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

The 19th century saw the rise of mass-produced greeting cards. Improvements in printing technology made it
possible to produce cards in larger quantities. Around this time, the first Christmas cards appeared. Sir Henry Cole
is credited with creating the first Christmas card in 1843 in England. These cards featured festive images and
messages.

In the 20th century, Greeting cards became a staple for various occasions, including birthdays, weddings,
anniversaries, and more. They evolved to include humorous messages and innovative designs. The industry
embraced different printing techniques and materials, making cards more visually appealing.

21st century: with the advent of the internet and electronic communication, digital greeting cards gained
popularity. E-cards, sent via email or shared on social media, became a convenient and eco-friendly alternative.

GREETING CARDS IN DIFFERENT CULTURES:

Asian cultures: particularly in China and Japan, exchanging cards during the New Year is a common tradition.
These often feature symbolic images and messages of good fortune. In some cultures, money or gift cards are
enclosed in red packets and given during celebrations and festivals.

Middle Eastern and Islamic Cultures: Greeting cards are commonly exchanged during the Islamic festival of Eid.
These cards often feature Arabic calligraphy, religious symbols, and expressions of goodwill.

Latin American Cultures: Greeting cards play a significant role in celebrations like quinceañeras in Latin American
cultures, marking a girl's transition to womanhood at the age of 15. Cards are also exchanged during religious
festivals and celebrations, often featuring religious symbols and images.

In various African cultures, traditional and religious ceremonies or cultural events may involve the exchange of
cards with symbolic designs to convey blessings and good wishes.

Indigenous cultures often use art to convey messages, and this is reflected in their greeting cards, which may
feature traditional artwork and symbols. Cards are exchanged during ceremonial occasions and events that hold
cultural significance.

Jewish Culture: greeting cards are exchanged during Hanukkah, featuring symbols like the menorah and conveying
warm wishes. Celebratory cards known as Bat Mitzvahs are exchanged during coming-of-age ceremonies.

Sentiment (noun, emotional): gentle emotions such as love, sympathy, or caring.

Appealing (adjective): attractive or interesting.
Convenient (adjective): suitable for your purposes and needs and causing the least difficulty.
Fortune (noun): chance or luck as an arbitrary force affecting human affairs
Occasion (noun): a particular event, or the time at which it takes place.