Top > Business > 2005 > September > 2005-09-25

9/11 and Xmas Cards

Not only has the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, changed how our nation functions, but it has even trickled down to influence such things as a person`s selection of a Christmas greeting card.

Debby Sibert, the president of a card company, says, "Before September 11th, our company, as well as other companies, did not offer patriotic holiday cards. You didn`t see them being offered anywhere. Patriotism seemed to be a sentiment reserved for holidays like Memorial Day or Independence Day. All this changed in the aftermath of Sept. 11, and we began to receive calls from customers asking if we sold patriotic Christmas cards.

"We immediately went to print with what we thought was a great patriotic card with the flag, the Capital dome, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial with the caption, `Peace on Earth.` We also had another version with the caption `God Bless America`. Soon after that, we noticed that all of our other suppliers started offering a variety of patriotic Christmas cards. Suddenly it was fashionable to be patriotic."

The tragedy of 9/11 caused great pain, but it also birthed a new sense of unity to a nation filled with people of different origins and beliefs. People began to see that, like Christmas cheer, patriotism should be celebrated the whole year through. As our nation enters yet another Christmas season we are thankful for the blessings we have received, the great liberties we share, and most especially, for the lives that have been sacrificed so that we may celebrate the holidays in peace and love.