Once upon a time, the joyous arrival of Eid was incomplete without the charm of Eid cards.
These delicate pieces of paper carried more than just festive greetings; they were tiny messengers of love, nostalgia and heartfelt connections. Wrapped in colorful envelopes and adorned with shimmering calligraphy, Eid cards were once the tangible embodiment of warmth in an era where emotions traveled by hand, not by pixels.
There was something magical about selecting the perfect Eid card. Stationery shops in Bangladesh, particularly in places like Nilkhet, New Market, Eraki Maath and various roadside stalls, fields, would gleam with an array of beautifully crafted cards, each adorned with intricate patterns, crescent moons and golden embellishments. Some cards had featured photos of our favorite cartoon characters, Barbie princesses, heroes, heroines and popular figures from sports, among others. Prices varied based on design and quality—simpler cards were available for as low as Tk5 to 10, while premium ones with embossing, glitter and pop-up elements could cost up to Tk50 or more.
The excitement of flipping through them, feeling their texture and choosing one that best expressed emotions was a cherished ritual. Some bore poetic verses, while others held simple yet profound words—each a reflection of the sender’s affection.
Sometimes, we even took the time to craft Eid cards ourselves. With colorful paper, sketch pens and a sprinkle of creativity, we poured our hearts into handmade cards. A carefully drawn crescent moon, a heartfelt message in our own handwriting and a personal touch made these creations even more special. The joy of making and receiving a handmade card was unparalleled, reflecting the effort and sincerity of the giver.
But with the dawn of the digital era, Eid cards faded into the background, replaced by instant messages and virtual greetings. Eid cards started to vanish in the early 2000s, as mobile phones and the internet became more accessible. The touch of embossed paper, the scent of fresh ink and the anticipation of tearing open an envelope have been lost to the swiftness of screens. Today, people mostly send Eid Mubarak messages via WhatsApp, Facebook and other digital platforms, making the once-essential Eid card a rare relic of the past. When a card arrived, it was treasured like a keepsake, slipped between book pages or tucked into memory boxes to be revisited in quiet moments of reminiscence. For those who cherished this tradition, some still keep old Eid cards stored as tokens of memory, preserving the emotions attached to handwritten wishes and intricate designs.
Unlike fleeting digital messages, Eid cards held permanence. The journey of these cards was one of patience and anticipation, as they traveled across cities, sometimes even borders, to reach the hands of loved ones. The joy of receiving a card was unparalleled, its weight in hand symbolizing the sender’s effort and sincerity, making distances feel shorter and hearts grow fonder. Handing it over to our loved ones was also a delightful experience.
Yet, for those who remember, the memory of Eid cards lingers like an old melody, a reminder of a time when emotions were penned down with love, not typed in haste. Perhaps, in reviving this lost tradition, we can rediscover the joy of heartfelt expressions—where wishes are not merely sent but felt, where greetings are not just received but held close, just like in the golden days of Eid cards.