Text b. Post Cards
1.Read and say what new things you’ve learned from the text.
In the mid-19th century, Henry Cole was a well-known museum director. Every year he sent short notes to his friends at Christmas, wishing them a happy holiday season. But in 1843 he had no time for letter writing, so he asked an artist, John C. Horsley, to design a card with a printed message that would substitute for his annual greeting. His request eventually inspired a billion-dollar industry and added a tradition to the holiday season. He invented the Christmas card.
Nowadays people send thousands of Christmas cards. A typical Christmas card has a sentimental picture of a snowy country scene or a warm fireside in an old-fashioned drawing-room. Many pictures shows animals or birds. Inside the card, the traditional greeting is “Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”. Or a piece of simple, sentimental verse may be printed, such as: ”To wish you in a special way. A very happy Christmas Day!”
To other popular times for sending greeting cards are on Mother’s Day and Farher’s Day. But of all the personal occasions in the year, the most popular for sending cards is a person’s birthday. The shops have a very wide range of birthday cards permanently on sale, with all kinds of pictures and words printed on them. For children, for example, there are cards with their age in the front: ”Today you are TEN!”, while for those celebrating their eighteenth or twenty-first birthday there are special coming of age cards. Many birthday cards have the relationship of the person printed on them. You may see “Happy Birthday, Son!” on the front, or “For the World’s Best Mum”.
There are cards for other family occasions, too, such as a wedding anniversary or the birth of a baby. If someone is ill, you can send him or her a get well card. A specially English type of card is the Valentine card. Traditionally, Valentine cards are sent anonymously – the sender doesn’t sign his or her name. Such cards may have standard wording, such as “To someone I am very fond of”, or contain a simple rhyme, such as “Come rain, come shine, You’ll always be mine”. But many people like to send Valentine cards with comical or witty words. For example, on the front of the card you can see the words “I hate you … “, and inside is the rest of the sentence: “… being so far away when I want to be near you!” Another card will start, in large capital letters, “LOTS ’N’ LOTS …”, and inside will be “… OF LUV FROM ME TO YOU!”.
2.Read the post cards and write a congratulation post card to your friend.
-
Congratulations on your
Silver Wedding!
Twenty-five years together! I was nearly surprised to hear it. You don’t look old enough to have a silver wedding!
Very best wishes.
Gladys
It was very nice to hear about your wedding. I expect your parents are sorry to lose daughter but happy to gain a son! My best wishes to you and your husband.
Sara
Roberts
|
-
BEST WISHES
to Your 21 st Birthday!
You’ve been born 21 before
Now you’ve got the key of the door,
It’s really great to be 21.
Now you are a man, my son!
Love,
Dad
-
to Linda & David,
We were delighted to hear about the twins!
It’s lovely to have two at the same time…double happiness (and double the work!) We’re willing to help at any time.
Don’t hesitate to ask.
Lot’s of love,
Alison & Kevin