137. Personalized Christmas Cards, Circa 1910s

 

 

 

These cards held significant importance in the respectable Philippine high society of their time. Most of them adhered to a theme of simplicity and elegance, with minimal greetings and engraved script, discouraging overly ornate designs. Some cards featured Filipiniana motifs, Christmas themes like vines or wreaths, coat of arms, and more. In contrast, modern greeting cards today are vibrant and elaborate.

These personalized cards were typically the size of a playing card or even smaller, making them convenient to carry in a case tucked into one's breast pocket. They displayed the name and, later, the address of the sender, written in the center using classical italic fonts.

An embossed card was considered the most distinguished in style, followed by a beautifully handwritten one. If neither of these options was available, a well-printed card sufficed.

These cards serve as a nostalgic reminder of a time when Christmas was celebrated in a peaceful and simpler manner.