While Christmas seems to have been around forever, the annual tradition of exchanging holiday cards is relatively new by comparison. While you are sifting through pictures and writing a family letter, it might be interesting to learn just who thought up the tradition of sending out hundreds of holiday cards. It goes without saying that it is a lot more fun to save holiday cards than it is to receive holiday cards, but here is the background on why you are mailing and licking a thousand envelopes this year.

There are several different theories that surround how holiday cards first started, but all can be traced back to the UK and the emergence of the penny post. One theory is that Sir Henry Cole created the concept of the holiday card to encourage British citizens to adopt the newly formed postal system. Sir Henry Cole is also responsible for the reform that created the penny post, which made the mail service accessible to people of all classes. Before this reform, it was mostly considered an upper-class privilege due to the high price of postage.

Other stories include Sir Henry Cole, but credit the very first Christmas card to Queen Victoria. Following this origin story, after the Queen created her card, Sir Henry Cole was responsible for commissioning it and then sending it out to subjects throughout England in 1843. The first print of the holiday card was said to be 1000, which at that time was quite lofty for any person, even a ruling monarch. However, while Sir Henry Cole helped the Queen create and commission the Christmas card, it was said to have been designed by John Callcott Horsley. Therefore, the very first person to actually create a Christmas card would technically be John Callcott Horsley.

Since the 1840s, holiday cards have come a long way, and tradition has evolved quite a bit. Some people purchase artistic Christmas cards from the store, while others opt for cards that feature family photos and highlight big events of the year. The aim of holiday cards today is to convey the good tides of Christmas to family and friends. Most people look forward to receiving holiday cards in the mail, and many have special places where they hang all of their cards. Some people hang onto holiday cards year round as a way to stay in touch and connected to their loved ones.

Traveling bans have been lifted as the world recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. People can now tour different destinations and create memories. National parks, beaches, and historical towns are common travel destinations for most people. Most cities are projected to experience many visits in the post-Covid era. If you're planning a vacation in 2023, here are the best locations you do not want to miss.

Morocco has been a popular destination for many years. This country in North Africa is just a few kilometers from Spain, and you can use a ferry ride to go between the two. Morocco features ornate doors, spice markets, mosques, and good food that anyone would wish to experience. Furthermore, there are a lot of fun activities to participate in, ranging from desert camel rides to hikes at mount Toubkal.

Who wouldn't want to experience India? India has a rich culture and is highly diversified, with breathtaking natural locations such as beaches and interesting history. It features the Taj Mahal and a variety of monuments, forts, and palaces. A trip to India in 2023 should be on your bucket list if you like to explore the outdoors. You will definitely get good value for your money.

At the Falkland Islands, you can spend time touring sandy beaches, taking wildlife exploration tours, and visiting historical locations. The island is a path to Antarctica, and several cruise ships anchor here before proceeding with the journey. It features seabirds and other marine mammals, including dolphins, elephant seals, orcas, and sea lions. The island is home to the Magellanic, macaroni, king and rockhopper penguins.

Algeria is located along the Mediterranean with amazing Roman ruins. It features the Sahara Desert and Hoggar Mountains that you can tour for a breathtaking experience. Furthermore, it is home to the world's seven UNESCO heritage sites worth experiencing. The hospitality here is favorable, and your experience in the country will be memorable.

You'll have an unforgettable experience traveling by train to remote areas in Alaska that you wouldn't be able to access by road. Make sure to stop by Denali National Park and explore the tallest mountain in America. Other experiences include exploring Kenai Fjords National park with calving icebergs and beautiful sea life. In addition, you can enjoy dog sledding as you explore the view of aurora borealis.

Taking time from the normal daily routine to travel benefits your mental and physical well-being. Schedule your vacation in 2023 and include the above locations to tap into those benefits.

Shaving is considered a necessary evil by both men and women, but it can get expensive fast. Buying replacement razor blades can turn into a painful monthly expense for those who aren't careful. Fortunately, there are many ways to save money on refill razor cartridges. This can be done through keeping your shaving needs simple, taking care of the refill razor cartridges you already have, and exploring razor blade subscription services. Using these techniques together can help you keep a close and comfortable shave without putting a sizable dent in your monthly budget.

When it comes to refill cartridges, it’s important to keep it simple in order to save money. Razor blade companies know that we need razor cartridges, and they are always trying to come up with something “new and improved” to charge even more. However, there is little evidence that a five-blade razor works better than a three-blade razor, or that various strips of rubber or moisturizers make shaving any more pleasant or convenient. Who really needs a razor that requires batteries so that it can vibrate during use? Razor shave clubs offer simple, high-quality products for a fraction of what you might pay at the grocery store. Sticking with a simple razor refill cartridge and buying them on sale and with coupons can help you save a lot of money in the long term.

Want to lower the costs of the razor refills you buy online or at the store? Don’t pay full price for razor blades—instead, save money with razor cartridge coupons. You can find downloadable coupons on most of the major razor brand websites. If you prefer online razor brands over traditional names like Gillette, Merkur, and others, then you can usually find coupons offered on those brands’ websites, too! In fact, you can also save money with introductory offers from shave clubs such as Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s. With these introductory offers, you can sometimes get free razor sets with no financial obligation. Get a smooth, flawless shave and the comfort from peace of mind.

Gaining in popularity in recent years, razor blade delivery services can help you save money on refill cartridges. Dollar Shave Club, Harry’s, and Gillette all have subscription plans that deliver refill razor cartridges to your home on a regular basis for a relatively low monthly fee. The monthly fees range from $3 to $15 a month; even at their most expensive, the cost of the refill razor cartridges over the course of the year will cost less through subscription plans than buying the cartridges from major retail outlets. However, consumers should compare the prices offered by refill razor cartridge subscription services, since buying store brand refills on sale may be just as economical.

Samsung needed a do-over when it comes to a foldable phone, and this time it appears that they got it right. Eager to redeem themselves after last year's Fold, the Z Flip has plenty to please consumers who are looking for a foldable phone with plenty of bells and whistles. This latest cutting edge design joins the launch of the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S20 models. The foldable Z Flip has a horizontal hinge, allowing the phone to fold like a clam shell, thanks to an Ultra Thin Glass (UTG) display. This is just the tip of the iceberg regarding what the Z Flip has to offer. Read on to find out what you need to know about the new Samsung Z Flip.

The Z Flip appears to be similar to the look and function of the Galaxy S phones, with the obvious advantage of being able to open and close in half. The main display delivers at an impressive 6.7 inches. Plus, users of the Z Flip can use the helpful "Flex Mode," where owners can prop up the phone in an "L" shape and watch video on the top half of the screen. In fact, users can lock the Z Flip into any angle between around 70 and 110 degrees. When folded, there is a small 1.06-inch panel that displays basic information, such as battery level and time.

The Z Flip is going to be available in black and purple color options, loaded with plenty of options. The Z Flip is outfitted with 256GB of storage, 8GB of RAM and Snapdragon 855+ processor. There are two cameras on the rear, which is also the front when the phone is folded, and one in the front. The two rear cameras are 12 megapixel, and one is an ultra-wide camera. The camera in the front is a 10 megapixel. The Z Flip is powered by a 3300mAh battery, which supports wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and 15W wired charging. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy S models, the Z Flip will be 4G. This new foldable smartphone will be available February 14th for $1,380. Ordering information can most readily be found on the Samsung.com website.

Those who are also interested upgrading to the 5G network may want to give the Samsung Galaxy S20 models a look. There are anticipations of three models: the standard S20, the S20 Plus, and the S20 Ultra model. Each of these are available at different price points, which are anticipated to be in the order of $850, $950 and $1,200, respectively. Codenamed Picasso, the S20 features a phenomenal camera upgrade, as well as increased battery life and new screen sizes. Regardless of whether consumers choose 4G or 5G capability, there's plenty to love about these new offerings from Samsung.