The politics of Christmas cards

By Clare Murphy and Kathryn Westcott BBC News Online

The consummate politician scrutinises every event for possible political capital, and the sending of the Christmas card is no exception.

Don't feel special if you've received the Bush card - you're one of 1.5 million

The Christmas card can be a powerful instrument - whether for propaganda purposes, keeping the party faithful sweet or granting a select few an insight into a prime minister's private life.

Since the first Christmas card was printed and distributed in London in 1843, the official card has become a staple of any politician's festive activities.

But woe-betide he who makes a misjudgement - a card faux-pas can render one a figure of fun well into the New Year.

Being mean

The venerable Abraham Lincoln was the first US president who saw political mileage in the Christmas message, and in the process, immortalised the figure of Santa as we know him.

During the American Civil War, which pitted the slave-owning South against the government union of the North, the then president requested a political cartoonist, Thomas Nast, to illustrate Santa with the Union troops in an attempt to bolster their spirits.

Mr Nast was the first to introduce a fat Santa in the now-traditional red suit and big leather belt.

Seeing this jolly fellow side with the North was allegedly very demoralising for the southern forces. They lost not very long after.

The allied governments also made use of the Christmas message to buoy the spirits of those in occupied states during World War II, promising assistance in humorous cards.

This card was designed to buoy spirits in occupied Denmark

And indeed it was only in this period that the Christmas card tradition really took hold among US presidents - who to this day are among the world's most conscientious card senders.

But unlike their forefather Abraham Lincoln, who set out to deliberately hurt some feelings, modern US presidents have taken extreme care not to offend any sensibilities with their Christmas message.

Indeed none of the recipients will be wished a "Merry Christmas" - that is far too exclusive and potentially offensive to the recipients who celebrate Hanukkah, Diwali, Eid al-Fitr or nothing at all. Instead a "holiday card" is despatched.

Mr Bush, a devout Christian, has in fact broken with tradition for the second year in a row by including a quotation from the bible, but his very secular image - two chairs in the diplomatic reception room - is unlikely to cause offence.

Fussy

Nonetheless what the Bushes may lack in striking imagery, they more than make up for in the length of their Christmas card list.

Some 1.5 million people have been the recipients of cards this year from George and his wife Laura, breaking the last presidential record of one million, set by the Bushes last year.

You could be forgiven for suggesting that in an election year, the exercise has less to do with festive spirit than it is a party-political postal blitz.

Certainly those recipients of the Bushes' Christmas card may feel less special when they discover that the same card is sitting on hundreds of thousands of other mantelpieces across the world.

Politicians intent on keeping their card special can go for one of two options.

Firstly they can, quite literally, keep their cards close to their chest.

The use of the family in the Blair card is always controversial

Attempts by BBC News Online to obtain a copy of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's Christmas card met a frosty response in Berlin.

"They felt that to allow the chancellor's card to be published on a website would diminish the honour of receiving a card from the chancellor," explained an embassy spokesman who made inquiries on our behalf. "To receive a card should be an honour."

Or, world leaders could decide to do as UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has done and despatch two cards.

One, featuring a relaxed portrait of the whole family, has been sent to friends and paid for by the Blairs.

Another, featuring just Tony and his wife Cherie, has been sent to a wider audience - although not on the scale of the US president, and has been paid for by the taxpayer.

One problem with this option is the tiering of the recipients. The double Christmas greeting has apparently prompted jealous exchanges as politicians seek to find out who has got which.

But the main objection observers have raised to Mr Blair's cards is the alleged double standards he displays by featuring his family, whose privacy he has always sought to defend from "media intrusion".

The prime minister had apparently hoped to circumvent this complaint through despatching two cards, but to no avail.

So is all this fuss and expense really worth it?

Some heads of state have decided that it is not. Nigeria is a case in point.

"The president doesn't send out official cards any more," said a Nigerian spokesman.

"It's too expensive and just not necessary."

What are your views on politicians sending out Christmas cards? Have you received a card from anyone famous? Send us your experiences on the form below.

Unlike the other bad-attitude responses I must say I think it's a wonderful gesture to send out Christmas cards. I imagine these cards go to both political allies as well as opponents and remind people that during the special winter holidays we can put differences aside and wish each other good will.
Chris Zibert, Seattle, United States

As a Christian minister, I find any expression of the love of God in Christ good. But the important thing is to glorify our Lord , and His goodness. If the Christmas card is sent in a Spirit of love, and caring , it is fine. Our family and church was so busy this year, we felt it was more important to show Christ's love to others, personally, than to spend time sending cards.
Garrett Ward Sheldon, Wise, Virginia, USA

Some people approach things in life from the negative instead of the positive. Being on someone's Christmas card list - whether you embrace the holiday and the meaning behind it or not, means that for at least one moment this year, you were in the thoughts of the sender. Perhaps we ought not make card sending just another "damned if you do - damned if you don't" issue. The best gift or acknowledgement though, is to donate to a charity on behalf of those you care about.
Lin, USA

People who pick faults with an essentially altruistic act lead very shallow lives indeed Paul Wooding, Winchester, England

For flips sake, all this new-age nonsense about recycling and Christmas cards being as bad as spam. Can't we just savour one of the last remaining 'traditions' before it falls victim to the PC brigade much like bonfire night, halloween etc. Christmas is not only a Christian festival it's a traditional time of year when people from all faiths and cultures send greetings and gifts to families, friends and associates. If someone resents getting a printed Xmas card then they should think about the old, lonely and homeless people who don't get any. People who pick faults with an essentially altruistic act lead very shallow lives indeed.
Paul Wooding, Winchester, England

To analyse Christmas cards is to miss the whole point. They are gestures of good will that say "we're friends," and let people know they're remembered and appreciated. Let's stop analysing Christmas - oops, um, I mean Winter Holidays - and enjoy our families, friends and hopefully some time off work. And let's stop going out of our way to deChristianize it.
Andrew, Steinbach, Canada

I have always refused to send out cards as though they were confetti. I much prefer to send perhaps half a dozen to people I regard as special friends. Perhaps politicians ought to do the same (do politicians have friends?) and preferably do it with their own money, not that of the taxpayers. I agree with the Nigerian president on this subject.
Dave, Cambridge, UK

I support cards. However, it makes a mockery of Christmas that the Blair's card in the UK sends out "Season's Greetings". It's Christmas, and taking away that message destroys the value of the festival and it's significance to many cultures.
David Lane, Leeds, UK

Sending paper Christmas - holiday - cards is so yesterday. Much better, economical, environmental and voter friendly way to do it is to send e-cards, much like we have done.
Charles Nullens, London, UK

Xmas cards are another example of the waste that politicians engage in, once they become used to an unlimited public purse for their own use. It would be refreshing if this Government were to commit to some environmentally friendly policies such as not wasting paper on commercial claptrap, as well as some ethical policies such as not wasting public money to reward cronies and other wastrels!
Neil Alldred, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Christmas cards sent on such a blanket basis is just a waste of money Luke Ireland, Reading, UK

Christmas cards sent on such a blanket basis is just a waste of money. How about they do what sensible companies do and give the money to charity then just send an email saying what you have done?
Luke Ireland, Reading, UK

I never send out Christmas cards but still receive around 30 or 40 every year. Most of them are quiet impersonal. To me, they are as unwanted as spam. I couldn't care less about Christmas.
Arben Ramadani, Oslo

To send out a Christmas card is fine. To send out a card with your own image and that of your family is a clear sign of an introspective character. Such shows of 'self' are in direct conflict with the messages not just of Christmas but with those of Christian teaching as a whole.
James Millar, Coggeshall

I think it is an extreme waste of taxpayers' money to for the Blairs to send out Xmas cards like this. If they want to send out cards, let them pay for it themselves. Personally this year, I am trying to send as many e-cards as possible to cut down on the excess waste that is produced over this time.
Beverley Simonson, London, England

Waste of public money. All politicians would do well to copy the President of Nigeria. Sending cards should be a personal act, not a party political broadcast.
Philip Stevens, Hants UK

A few years back my family received a card from the Clintons featuring a huge and decorated Christmas tree. It did seem quite a bit insensitive due to the fact that my family isn't Christian. Besides, what's so special about a card which hundreds of thousands of people receive making you just a random recipient? We chucked it out to be quite honest.
ZB, New York, USA

The whole thing's a public relations exercise Anni, UK

With all the things that are going on in the world and all the trouble that these political leaders cause by unthinking actions, do any of us really care whether they send a Christmas card or not? The whole thing's a public relations exercise as your article pointed out and the rest of us don't care. We're too busy trying to get through this holiday season without being up to our eyeballs in debt with the credit card people. Let the politicians send the cards to them, I'm sure they'll appreciate them a lot more than I would!
Anni, UK

With the astronomical number of cards that appear to being issued, it might have been better (and more in tune with the season) to donate the money to poor children in Africa or Brazil (or Canada ,there are certainly enough kids not eating correctly here)
Mike Potter, Hamilton ,Canada

I agree with Nigeria - for any Prime Minister to send out any type of official card is a complete waste of money. I also find it offensive that Tony Blair sees fit to have himself and family members on his card.
Sian Harris, Ludlow UK

Although it irks me slightly that Bush is spending tax money to send out ridiculous Christmas cards with bible quotations, I can't help but think that with all the enormous problems that America is facing, from the deterioration of civil liberties post 9/11 to the ongoing problems in Iraq that the Bush Christmas card should be least of anyone's concern.
Caleb, Los Angeles, USA

With the current state of world affairs, the war on Iraq, threats of global terror strikes, unemployment, homelessness, the abduction and murder of our children, I find it quite offensive that we the taxpayer have had to fork out for Mr. Blair to send a Christmas card to his friends. I am sure the money spent on producing these cards could be better spent on something with more importance than a bit of card with a photo on it!
Politicians have a very important role to play in our lives, I just wish they would get on with trying to sort out the problems in this country instead of bickering about who got invited to a party at number 10, or who got which version of the Blair's Xmas card.
Ross Fitzgerald, Barnsley, England

It's a thoroughly empty gesture meant to convey to the recipient the feeling of an 'insider'. Of course, for the rest of us, we enjoy the irony of being left off the list devoted to spreading the message "Good Will To All Men," to a special subset of the faithful - the party faithful.
David Dreyer, Washington, DC USA

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