The jolliest Christmas cards to send this year The Times Louisa McKenzie shopping The jolliest Christmas cards to send this year Louisa McKenzie on the changing fashions and fortunes of the beloved Christmas card Louisa McKenzie Thursday October 22 2026, 4.00am BST , The Times Listen 0:00 / · 10:14 min Share Share this article Email Twitter Facebook Link Save Puzzles Challenge yourself with today's puzzles. Cheery red-breasted robins flitting across wintry skies, donkeys resting on snow-laden fences, Christmas trees girt with tinsel or jolly snowmen with carrot noses — such festive scenes have been the stock in trade of the Christmas card designer for nearly two centuries. With mince pies and Christmas puddings appearing in supermarkets in September and Christmas lights installed in Oxford Street by early November, Christmas seems to be creeping ever earlier each year. So it's really the rewarding slap of a pile of envelopes on the front door mat that heralds the true start of the festive season. However, in recent years the tradition of sending Christmas cards seems to be in decline. The rising use of ecards and Christmas morning WhatsApp messages has sounded the death knell for the physical card. Or has it? Research suggests that for two thirds of people there is nothing like opening a handsome envelope in early December and finding a cheery Christmas greeting inside. This is even the case for younger age groups, who are so often believed to be in the thrall of electronic communication. The Christmas card is, in an increasingly disconnected world, a way of showing someone you care. And it brings more than a dash of nostalgia. Luxury newsletter The inside track on tech, travel, philanthropy and the hottest handbags, cars and spas. Sign up with one click You've successfully signed up to the Luxury newsletter Explore our newsletters An error occurred. Please use the link below. Luxury newsletter Explore our newsletters The first recorded Christmas greeting was sent in 1611, when Michael Maier, a German scholar, sent an elaborate card to King James I and his son, the Prince of Wales. The handmade card included a poem wishing the king a “blessed” Christmas. However, the practice in Britain of sending Christmas cards as we know it today began in 1843. Sir Henry Cole, a prominent civil servant and founder of the Victoria and Albert Museum, commissioned the artist John Callcott Horsley to design the first commercial card. This solved a personal dilemma that may be familiar to us all. During the festive season Cole was too busy to write personal Christmas letters to his many correspondents. His card depicted a family enjoying a festive meal, flanked by scenes of charitable giving, and bore the message: “A merry Christmas and a happy new year to you.” Top stories 1 What orthopaedic surgeons do every day to protect their knees Health & Fitness 2 I took hallucinogenics to cure my PTSD from being an NHS paramedic Health & Fitness 3 Bernie Taupin: 'Elton John could be difficult— I would just roll my eyes' Music 4 The cool corner of Australia you'll want to keep to yourself Australia 5 Now's the time to lock in a pre-Christmas holiday deal — here are 12 Inspiration Cole's innovation came at a time when Britain's new Penny Post service (on which he worked) made sending mail more affordable, encouraging people to communicate by letter. About a thousand copies of the card were printed and sold for a shilling each, creating an early, though modest market for Christmas cards. By the 1860s improvements in printing techniques made cards cheaper and accessible to a broader audience. By the early 20th century Christmas cards had become a central part of holiday celebrations. Most commented 1 US withdraws diplomats from Saudi Arabia amid deadly Houthi attacks US news 203 comments The style of card you send probably says more about you than about the recipient. Are you a minimalist, a traditionalist, or do you prefer a bit of pizzazz? There's something for everyone among the most luxurious Christmas cards this season, from floral bears to Christmas reading lists. Advertisement All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we will earn affiliate revenue More Christmas shopping The best stocking fillers for 2026 The best luxury gifts for Christmas The best luxury Christmas hampers to give The best luxury Christmas cards Smythson post pets Christmas card set Make sure your furry friends aren't forgotten at Christmas with this hand-printed, engraved card from the legendary stationer Smythson. It depicts a black and white cat and a Dalmatian sending off their very own holiday wishes from a classic red post box. This box of ten cards comes with matching, tissue-lined envelopes and a donation is given to the National Literacy Trust with every sale. ￡45 for ten, Smythson Fortnum and Mason Christmas in London musical Christmas card This is more festive keepsake than seasonal greeting. Open the card to reveal an animated Santa soaring through the capital in his sleigh, accompanied by the jaunty melody of We Wish You a Merry Christmas . A pull-out card tucked into the lid provides space for a personal message, while a rustic brown envelope completes the presentation — a charmingly theatrical way to send a little piece of London through the post. ￡18.50, Fortnum & Mason Harrods Christmas bear cards For fans of the famous department store and its much loved mascot, Harrods' Christmas Bear cards bring a playful touch of Knightsbridge charm to the celebrations. Each shows the Harrods Bear sending gifts from a classic red postbox against a snowy winter backdrop. Available in a pack of ten, they are ideal for working through a Christmas-card list. ￡15 for ten, Harrods Selfridges Merry Christmas cards These cards are an understated, versatile option for those who prefer seasonal stationery that feels simple and polished. Made in the UK, each bears a graphic, retro “Merry Christmas” greeting on the front, and is left blank inside for a personal message. The set contains ten cards, measuring 13cm by 16cm, with co-ordinating envelopes included. ￡20 for ten, Selfridges Advertisement Mount Street Printers personalised Christmas reading list cards A sterling bespoke choice. These cards can be customised in either design or message. This version turns a stack of richly colored books into an elegant festive still life, embellished with holly, pine cones, and a scarlet ribbon. Gilded titles including “Peace”, “Joy & Harmony” and “Magical Moments” give the design the appearance of a book-lover's Christmas reading list. Printed on luxury stock in London and supplied in quantities starting at 25, the cards come with matching tissue-lined envelopes. From ￡308.36 for 25, Mount Street Printers Katie Housley at Papier Baby It's Cold Outside Christmas card set Designed by Katie Housley, Papier's Baby It's Cold Outside card stars a wonderfully shaggy bear bundled into an exuberantly floral winter coat. Scattered gold stars and a personalised line of text lend the playful illustration a polished, celebratory finish. The cards are printed on warm white, textured 324gsm paper, with a message printed inside — or space left blank for something handwritten — and white envelopes included. Quite the stylish, festive character. ￡30 for ten, Papier Cambridge Imprint at Papersmiths Partridge in a Pear Tree Christmas card set Made by Cambridge Imprint, the Cambridge-based design studio founded in 2013 and known for its colourful, hand-stencilled patterns and paper goods, this set offers a painterly interpretation of the partridge in a pear tree, rendered in the studio's characteristically joyful hand-mixed colours and with its artisanal ethos. The traditional subject feels fresh and decorative, making the cards particularly appealing to lovers of pattern and illustration. Each is printed in England on smooth, responsibly sourced 300gsm ivory stock, left blank inside and paired with a cream, diamond-flap envelope. ￡14.95 for 10, Papersmiths Quilling Card quilled Winter Donkey and Friend greeting card This delightfully tactile card depicts a scarf-wrapped donkey greeting a tiny robin beside a snow-covered fence. The picture is created using quilling, in which narrow strips of paper are rolled, shaped and arranged to form intricate three-dimensional decoration. Handmade by a skilled artisan in a process that takes about an hour, the six-inch-square card is blank inside and supplied with a colour-coordinated envelope. $12.95, Quilling Card Mount Street Printers at Fortnum and Mason festive squirrel cards These elegant, engraved cards show a cheerful squirrel nestled among wintry branches. The finely worked image and soft-white woven stock give the playful woodland subject a pleasingly traditional finish. Each square card measures 155mm and comes with a tissue-lined envelope. All are handmade in London. ￡38 for eight, Fortnum and Mason Advertisement Royal Academy Roger Duvoisin Reindeers Christmas card set Four antlered reindeer tucked beneath scarlet polka-dot duvets make this one of the more delightfully eccentric cards in our selection. The illustration comes from The Christmas Whale by Roger Duvoisin, the prolific children's-book artist who won the 1948 Caldecott Medal. Each 12cm by 17cm card carries the printed message “With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year” and is supplied with a white envelope. The pack offers plenty of vintage picture-book charm for the festive season. ￡9.95 for 10, Royal Academy Why trust Times Luxx Shopping? Times Luxx Shopping is brought to you by the award-winning team behind Times Luxx magazine. For nearly 20 years, our experts have curated an unrivalled selection of the best in fashion, jewellery, travel, tech, cars, design, food, drink and more. That same rigour, taste and insider industry knowledge underpins Times Luxx Shopping. Every product and experience we recommend is thoroughly researched and vetted by our team. If we love it, we think you will too Life & Style LUXX Christmas Share Share this article Email Twitter Facebook Link Save