Anthropomorphic birds and animals were another popular theme, as seen in this Christmas Reversed scene, where raw dinner ingredients get in a party mood.

Sending Christmas cards was a habit popularised by the Victorians, helped by the introduction, in 1840, of a uniform penny post.England’s first commercial Christmas card was printed in 1843, and is in the Laura Seddon collection at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Here, is a selection from its archive.

Showing that there’s little new about the tactics of trick-or-treaters, a group of festive musicians make their presence known, and demand beer.

This classic card was designed by the children’s book illustrator Walter Crane, a prominent member of the Arts and Crafts movement.

All Photographs: Ade Hunter/Manchester Metropolitan University

See more Images via Compliments of the season … Victorian Christmas cards – in pictures | Life and style | The Guardian.