Tradition

Belgium may be counted among the smallest European countries, it nevertheless is big in traditions. A unique tradition – one that is not found anywhere else in the world – is the writing of New Year’s Cards.

New Year’s Cards originated in the 15th Century among wealthy industrials and the writing New Year’s Cards was reserved for youngsters of the wealthy classes until the 19th Century. Ordinary people were unable to afford these fancy cards with embossed curls and gold highlights. These cards were written in French, although Flemish was the native language.

It wasn’t until the beginning of the 20th Century that the custom spread among the general population, more specific since the implementation of mandatory education on May 19 1914.

The writing of New Year’s Cards was quite a task for young boys and girls. Stains and/or inkspots were not tolerated!

The content of the text on the cards expressed much respect for the parents, grandparents and godparents. Belief in religious values was also a prominent subject. Many wishes for good health, promises of doing their best in school and good behavior....in short, good intencions just like adults still make well intended New Year’s resolutions such as to stop smoking, to become more active, to lose weight, etc.

Then and now, New Year’s Cards are only read on January 1, to the parents, grandparents, godparents, occasionally aunts and uncles. Often with shaking hands and knees, stammering, sometimes with a giggle, rosy cheeks, timid....because for a young child, reading aloud this formal card in the presence of the whole family, certainly is a solemn ritual that affects the nerves. At the end there is always spontaneous applause. The New Year’s Card is then proudly presented to whoever it was read and in return the child receives some money or a present. After a piece of cake and a drink, a beautiful memory remains of a happy day and a firmer family bond.

I have strong memories of happiness and pride when the time came that I was allowed to write New Year’s Cards at school. My mother gave me some money to go buy blank New Year’s Cards at the print shop. It was difficult making a choice among all those different sparkling cards, illuminated with scenes of winter fun. I will never forget them and I am very satisfied to possess a few examples just like them in my collection.

I never thought that this collection would ever grow to such proportions, and to be able to obtain New Year’s Cards dated 1838, 1851, 1852, .... The feeling of wellbeing that envelops me when looking through my collection is undescribable. It leaves a moving impression. I still believe it to be a luminous idea to start collecting New Year’s Cards when 8 years ago in the attic I rediscovered the old cards of my own children.

When during exhibitions I observe older people’s faces light up and relive treasured moments of their own youth, I am more than satisfied to be able to bring back happy memories for these people.

New Year’s Cards from 1920 until about 1945 are almost invariably adorned with pop-up illustrations of flower bouquets, children with flowers, etc. One more beautiful and sweet than the other. Also noteworthy are the symbols of good-luck such as horseshoes, mushrooms, 4-leaf clovers, ladybugs, pansies, etc.

New Year’s Cards are still read on January 1, even in our present time. Regretfully the content no longer mentions respect for the parents. Hints to religious beliefs are no longer part of it either. They have become more like poems. It is also often much more difficult for today’s children to write and read New Year’s Cards when their parents have divorced or are not living together.

It is my sincerest hope that this tradition will continue. It is unique to the Flemish people - nowhere else can the tradition be found. There is some vague evidence of the existence of New Year’s Cards in Holland, a long time ago, but the tradition has not survived there. Same among our French speaking neighbours. That makes it a unique honor for the Flemish people to have New Year’s Cards.

I sincerely thank my beloved husband for building this website around my passion for New Year’s Cards. Also many thanks to my nephew Chris, who resides in Austin, TX, for the translations to English, that allow me to share the culture of the New Year’s Cards with a wider audience.