New Year: Some Fascinating Facts


While the turning of the old year to the new year was celebrated as far back in human history as ancient Babylon, it took the famous Roman, Julius Caesar, and his reconciliation of the calendar to appoint January 1 as New Year’s Day — thus deeming December 31 as New Year’s Eve, a night of parties and celebration world-wide in our modern age.

Here are a few fascinating facts about New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day to mull over before the end of 2014.

The very first celebration of New Year’s Eve in New York City’s Times Square took place in 1904—a huge, street-wide party to celebrate the opening of the newspaper, the New York Times.

The first ceremonial ball dropping to mark the end of the old year and the beginning of the new happened in New York City in 1908 due to fireworks being banned because of the fire hazard.

Auld Lang Syne is sung by celebrants around the globe as the traditional New Year’s Eve song, but while the words written by Robert Burbs hasn’t changed, the tune has. The melody of the original Scottish folk tune changed around 1860.

In the late 19th century, champagne became the favorite celebratory drink for New Year’s parties not only of the wealthy, but of the comfortable middle class who could afford to splurge on special occasions.

Greeting Card Universe thanks its artists, friends, family and supporters for a wonderful 2014 and wishes everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2015! Check our the special deals on one of a kind New Year’s cards to send your own personal wishes out to all your peeps. Order on-line, get a great deal, and we’ll mail your cards the next business day.


what Are Happy Shoppers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“Thank you so much for making it easier to find the perfect Birthday card, without stressing out. It was easy to place my order and the card was delivered in days; sealed and protected in a bubble wrapped envelope. I was very happy with the great customer service I receive when I called with a question about placing my order.” – Kelvin – Dec 22nd, 2014

5 Frosty Facts About the Snowman


A favorite winter activity around the world is making a snowman (or snow woman)! From simple stacked balls with a carrot nose and coal eyes to much more elaborate and artistic sculptures, the snowman is instantly recognizable no matter the country or culture.

Here’s more about the snowman’s surprisingly long history.

So far the first written evidence of a snowman comes from a margin drawing in a Book of Hours, an illuminated manuscript from 1380 currently located in the Royal Library of The Hague, Netherlands.

The snowman has been a popular symbol of the Christmas holidays for a long time, particularly in advertising and retail products including a snow cone machine.

The Abominable Snowman (aka Yeti) isn’t actually folk art made of snow, but a hairy, bipedal, legendary monster living in the snowy mountains.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, the snowman became the butt of mean-spirited fun, often shown being abused by children in popular advertisements or suffering embarrassing hygiene problems.

The popular holiday carol, “Frosty the Snowman” was written and recorded in 1950 and has since been covered by artists such as Perry Como, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Jan and Dean and Johnny Mathis.

At Greeting Card Universe, our artists love making you smile with snowman filled with the Christmas spirit! Choose from our large selection of Snowman Christmas cards, order on-line, and we’ll either send your cards the next business day or you can take advantage of our free pick-up service, usually in 1 hour, at participating Target and Bartell Drug stores.

What Are Happy Customers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I have ordered cards from here several times. They are always of good quality and the selection is beyond what you would find in any greeting card store. There is something here for everyone’s taste. Every once in awhile, I buy a selection of cards to have on hand for a variety of occasions. I loved this particular card for Christmas this year because of its simplicity”- Kimberly – December 18, 2014

Terrific Twisted Facts About Candy Canes


The red-and-white striped candy cane has become a potent symbol of Christmas, but the sugar confection is surrounded by a confusion of legend and historical evidence. Here are some of the truths and myths regarding this favourite seasonal treat.

LEGEND: The candy cane was invented by a 19th century candy maker in Illinois to symbolize the birth of Christ (white) and the scourging and crucifixion (red).

LEGEND: A late 17th century German choirmaster invented the candy cane to help keep the children in his choir occupied during services. The crook-shape of the stick was a symbol of Christ in His role as shepherd.

These folklore tales may be charming, but they’re apocryphal; unfortunately, there is no documentation or historic fact that either of them are true.

Christmas cards and illustrations from the 19th century show the holiday candy as a simple white stick without the red stripes expected to be seen today. The peppermint flavor and red stripes were added by early 20th century American confectioners as an improvement on the product.

Greeting Card Universe helps you wish your friends and family a very sweet holiday with unique Candy Cane Christmas Cards from our collection. Choose your cards on-line and we’ll send your warmest wishes on their way the next business day!


What Are Happy Shoppers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“I am happy to have found the GCU website. While temporarily confined at home, this website allows me to send paper greeting cards to keep up with birthdays for family and friends. With my first purchase, I was unsure of the service or card quality. I ordered 4 cards sent directly to the recipient and 5 cards mailed to me. I enjoyed being able to enter a personal message. All were pleased with the cards they received. This was a positive experience and am looking forward to placing my next order.” – Glenda – December 9, 2014

5 Fantastic Facts About Christmas Cookies


The Christmas cookie tradition comes to us from medieval times, when the pagan Solstice or celebration of the Winter Equinox was absorbed into the Christian religion to become a time of year honoring the birth of Jesus Christ. Here are five amazing facts about the now commonplace Christmas cookies we make and exchange (and enjoy eating) during the holidays.

Spicing Up the Kitchen: Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, cloves, even peppercorns,  dried fruits and nuts like almonds became more available to cooks in the Middle Ages, who used these strong, aromatic spices in both sweet and savory dishes for ordinary dining and for feasts. The smell of these spices has become very much associated with Christmas.

Gingerbread’s Long History: From Greece in 2400 BC to a simple treat composed of spiced breadcrumbs and honey formed by molds into shapes enjoyed by Crusaders, gingerbread became a popular treat in Europe in the 1500s. In the 17th century, spekulaas—a type of gingerbread cookie in the Netherlands, traditionally formed in the shape of St. Nicholas or Sinterklaas—became associated with Christmas time.

The Dutch Again: The word “cookie” comes from the Dutch koekje, meaning a small cake. The first time the America English ” cookie” appeared in print was 1703,

Cookie Exchanges: The first cookie swap advertised in a newspaper took place in 1917. During WWII, the women of many communities exchanged cookies with one another. Associating Christmas with a cookie exchange began taking place in the early 1950, becoming quite popular by the 60s.

Animal Crackers On Your Tree: The popular animal or circus crackers were first produced in 1902. The colorful cardboard box printed all over with a circus wagon theme was sold during Christmas of that year as an edible tree ornament and continues to be produced and exported all over the world.

Greeting Card Universe wants to sweeten your Christmas holiday with our unique selection of Christmas Cookie cards, Gingerbread Cards, and Christmas Cookie Exchange Invitations for your special holiday needs. Order on-line—it’s easy—and we’ll mail your cards the next business day.


What Are Happy Shoppers Saying About Greeting Card Universe?
“Awesomely beautiful and free customizing to make them personalized! Shipped amazingly quickly. Have Never found a Company this flexible and everything shipped immediately – try them!!” – William – November 19, 2014