when was first christmas card sent

The first Christmas card was sent by Henry Cole in 1843. It was a hand-colored lithograph depicting a family enjoying a festive holiday meal. Cole, a wealthy British businessman, was inspired by the idea of sending Christmas greetings to friends and family. He hired an artist to create the card, which was printed in large quantities and sold for one shilling each. The popularity of the card quickly spread, and by the mid-19th century, Christmas cards had become a common form of holiday greeting.