Christmas cards, and what to do with them (1884)
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Collecting beautifully designed and colourful greetings cards was a popular pastime for Victorian women and children. In this article from The Girl's Own Paper, the author writes "Everywhere the same want is felt to dispose, in some way, of our prettiest and most valued Christmas, Easter, and birthday cards, so that they shall serve some permanent and pleasant use, and be with us always, "By way of remembrance" of the love - and alas! sometimes the "lost" - who have been senders of them". The article suggests ideas for reusing and displaying Christmas cards in the home including; forming colourful bands above a dado rail, decorating nursery door panels, screens and shutters or forming splashbacks for the washstand.
On Christmas card collectors the author writes "those people.. who sort, arrange, and date them, and put them in beautiful albums, surrounded with every kind of etching and painted decoration. Every description of common and uncommon card is hunted up by some of these connoisseurs, and I have no doubt that at some future time these albums will be valuable. Other collectors keep only those sent them by friends, and sometimes add the photo, date, and the autograph of the sender."
Location: 'Winter Leaves: Being The Extra Christmas Part of The Girl's Own Paper'. (1884) The Girl's Own Annual Vol. 5 1883-4. p.52-53. Parker Collection BQ 0871.1/1884
