The history of the Valentine’s Day Card

It’s nearly Valentine’s Day – and it’s a bit like marmite, you either love it or you hate it!

One of the most popular ways to express love and affection is through the exchange of cards. Valentine’s Day cards can be traced back to the 15th century, when the earliest known Valentine’s Day letter was written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. This letter, which is now housed in the British Library, is considered to be one of the first Valentine’s Day cards in history.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the tradition of giving Valentine’s Day cards as a romantic gesture began to spread. At this time, they were usually handmade, with people decorating them with lace and ribbons. They often included sentimental messages, poems, or even secret declarations of love.

An English Victorian era Valentine card located in the Museum of London. (Public Domain)

Valentine’s Day cards really started to come into fashion in the 1800s, thanks to the invention of lithography, which made it possible to print large numbers of cards quickly and inexpensively. This led to an explosion in the popularity of Valentine’s Day cards, and soon, many different types of cards were being produced.

But what if you’ve designed your own Valentine’s Day card and want it to look professional?

One of our unique selling points is that we have no minimum order! This allows you to upload your own design and have it delivered straight to your door even if you’re only sending one! (If you are sending more than one, discretion is our middle name… !). You can choose from a variety of card stocks, and we offer a fast turnaround, so you can have your card ready to give in no time.

Tips on how to design your card

When designing your card it’s important to note that each side of the card is an individual page, so you will need to design it over four pages, as shown here:

Why not have a go at designing your own card this year, rather than choosing the usual hearts and flowers you find in the shops? Make it quirky and personal! We’re sure your significant other will thank you for it.