On this day in 1953 the BBC made a newsreel which revealed the secrets behind making the perfect greeting card. Woodmansterne Cards described the reel as ‘simply fabulous’, adding that they are now wondering ‘why we don’t have a company cat!’
The programme started with a committee analysing a series of paintings to judge whether or not they’d make good Christmas cards or not.
Of the first, a design of Christmas roses and holly, it was said by the Chairman: “I don’t want to influence you at all but in my opinion extremely colourful and Christmassy in character, it would make an admirable subject for a Christmas card”.
Everyone agreed with this, nodding that it was “seasonal and attractive”, and “very nice, especially the various shades of green”.
A second painting did not hit the spot, with some panel members considering it ‘rather sombre’, lacking in definition and thereby putting it aside. The third, on the other hand, had all the elements you’d want in a Christmas card, including a bit of Dickensian spirit.
Next we were shown a wordsmith with the now-famous cat sitting on her desk, providing inspiration for the all-important words that were to go inside the favoured Holly and Christmas Roses design. Should the words be sophisticated or simple the cat was asked. Perhaps something like:
‘All good wishes for Christmas and the New Year’ inside, or ‘Christmas Greetings’ on the front with perhaps a verse inside?
“It would be nice to have a verse inside”, thought the assistant and possibly the cat agreed. “Fortunately we have two or things written recently which might be appealing” agreed the chief wordsmith, adding that they should “emphasise the holly to make it more Christmassy”.
As luck would have it, they had the perfect verse to hand, ready to be caught n camera:
The brightness of the holly on the wall,
The glow of the new log on the hearth,
Are reflections of the brightness and warmth in our hearts at this glad season of friendship and goodwill.
May all the best of Christmas joys be yours and happiness be with you throughout the new year.
Oh yes I think that suits it don’t you!
