Early Cristmas Card

Earliest card that started a tradition

Working as a teacher with limited income in a small rural community I found the list of cards needed was bigger than my pocketbook. That started the tradition of me creating a card drawing and then printing them as standard letter size prints. We could write a message on the back, fold them in thirds and stuff them into letter envelopes at minimal costs. We would also print them in black and white and hand color each card. It made the winter evenings go by comfortably as we sat at the dining room table adding color, addressing envelopes and conversing.
        This little Santa was the first step in the development of the card drawings. Here he tokes on his pipe as he concentrates on the Christmas Star an contemplates the Christmas gifts he will be bringing to the children. The toys are those you hear of in that old song Up On the Housetop. That has always been a favorite of mine since childhood. Probably because of the use of Will/Bill as a name in the song. I would hear it played on the radio as Gene Autry would sing. Radio is and has always been an influence in my life. As a child I wanted to be the singing cowboy. now I am just Poppy.

          Up on the House Top Gene Autry version

                 Written Benjamin Hanby 1864

Up on the housetop reindeer paws, out jumps good old Santa Claus

Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?

Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick

First comes the stocking of little Nell
Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
One that can open and shut her eyes
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?

Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick

Look in the stocking of little Bill
Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Here's a hammer and lots of tacks
Whistling ball and a whip that cracks

Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go? Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn't go?

Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick