Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-12-19
lancastfr fllteIliQe1lrer.
MONDAY EVENING, DEC. 10, 1881.
Christmas Cards.

Christmas Cards.
The inferiority in novelty and beauty
and the superiority in price of the Christ
mas card this year has attracted gen
eral comment. The custom started with
a pretty card of small value, and grew
rapidly in favor, because it was recog-
nized as an appropriate thing to send a
friend a graceful trifle as memento of
an anniversary or festal occasion. But it
is quite different when this custom
makes strong draft upon the purse at the
same time that it restricts the number
to whom the attention may be paid. AS
the gift increases in value it diminishes
the number of its possible recipients
to the friends whom we want to compli-
ment we feel like sending the most valu-
able cards lest they may not appreciate
the compliment: but they are not all of
a degree to make the draft upon the
purse a grateful one IL the Christmas
card of this year was of improved beauty
there would be consolation for its i'm
proved cost But most of them are pos
i:ively ugly. The prize cards are espec-
tally lacking in beauty. 1t is odd. but
it is true to such an extent that it IS sui
Gcient to condemn Il card to label il as a
prize design. The Philadelphia Press
gives expression to a common bellei
when it declares that the cheapest Christ
mas card is artistically the best. 1t says
that if is SO - Tor the sound mercantile
reason that there is more profit in the
sale of a five cent card 10y the thousand.
than in selling one dollar cards 10y the
Jozen.'' That is true. but hardly affords
a reason why the artist who competes
for thousand dollar prize cannot do
as well as one who gets no prize. The
better reason probably is that the de-
signers and publishers Of the cards dc
not know what is beautiful but when
they issue their numerous cheap designs
the public. whicI. does know. has an
opportunity TO pick out the pretty ones
from the great mass whereas the eA
pensive cards. being issued in smaller
numbers. afford smaller field for the
chance entrance of a beautiful design
amongst them. The Press says true
thing again in this connection, and one
which will find common acceptation, IN
the remark that there is neither "sOun'
sense nor the best manners i'll send
ing thing Of expense to convey
matter of compliment or carry
"A message of affection. 1t thinks
it is like slipping bracelet
into a basket of flowers, or a bunch OF
violets into a jeweled holder" 1t is not
however. so bad as that no one lii:
reason to feel insulted with the gift OF
costly Christmas card but yet the Pres
is right ia declaring that it SHOULD b'
like a bow, costless but careful. Ih'
welcomeness of the gift should lie in th'
fact of the remembrance, and the ap
plause of the give: should he won 10y TIT
good taste of his selection and not by th'
depth of his purse. Still the fact re
mains that while these costly cards ar
in the market giyers of them who III
able to afford them feel their choice t
be confined to them, lest the recipien
should not duly value the attention
Probably it's extravaganza will bring tn
pretty custom to an untimcly end
which will be matter of regret. 1t
pleasant to remember and be remember
ed. and the anniversary card provides al
easy way of discliarging an agreeab
lutV