It seems that as our world becomes more information-driven and technologically advanced, simple pleasures like writing letters and sending Christmas cards are becoming a dying tradition.
When you were a kid, you probably remember your family receiving numerous cards that were displayed with love around a doorframe during the holiday season. It was a warm and comforting feeling to receive updated pictures and kind words from long-distance family and friends that brought a spirit of joy to the holiday season. So, what happened? How many people in this fast-paced world, where we can send an e-card in a second flat, will actually take the time to purchase cards, sign them, and get them to the brick-and-mortar post office for delivery?
The Decline of the Christmas Card Tradition
The Christmas card tradition originated in the late 19th century among affluent families. Back then, it was customary for people to leave ‘calling cards’ at other people’s houses when they visited. Since so much family visited during the holiday season, Christmas-themed cards were mass-produced by German companies, which eventually led to the modern-day Christmas card tradition.
Research shows that the pre-baby boomer generation felt so strongly about sending Christmas cards during the holiday season that the average family sent around 300 cards. These cards were not reserved only for family and friends but also for all the people who touched their lives. Back then, you knew your postman by name, your grocery store clerk was considered a friend, and even the occasional neighbor you passed with only a wave received a Christmas card. It was also considered rude not to participate in this tradition. People actually spent time writing personal notes and signing their names. Mailing a Christmas card was considered one of those simple things that showed effort on the sender’s part and was a sign of peaceful humanity during the holiday season.
However, in recent years, the number of greeting cards purchased has dwindled. Large companies like Hallmark have seen a 33.7% decrease since 2007 in the number of Christmas cards bought each year. In a recent survey by Parenting Magazine, only 22% of all households said they would be sending out traditional Christmas cards this year. Most families are opting for family picture cards they can print on their own through online companies or have done at department store giants like Wal-Mart or Target. Many others admit that they will send e-cards available online instead of spending money and time on postage and mailing.
The excuses for not sending Christmas cards are varied. Many people feel that postage is too high and that the extra expense is not economically important during a time of year when most people feel financially strapped. Additionally, since long-distance phone fees have been reduced and with the advent of communication tools that allow people to share live conversations, send pictures, chat, and communicate daily regardless of location, the need for Christmas cards to stay in touch seems less important. Furthermore, Christmas cards seem to go against the green-friendly world we live in and are often seen as a source of waste. Perhaps most importantly, the new generation of young adults doesn’t see the need for sending Christmas cards when there are so many other venues for connecting and communicating.
Apparently, sending out Christmas cards is becoming a tradition that is dying out. The same is true for pen pals and letter writing, and nearly every other facet of slow communication. Today, people want to connect with others right away and don’t want to wait to receive greetings in the mail.
This is perhaps why receiving a Christmas card is so meaningful. Receiving a card in the mail is like a simple kiss from the universe that lets you know someone, somewhere was thinking about you. Not only did they purchase the card, address the envelope, lick it closed, and make a visit to the post office to ensure it got to you on time, but they also did it in a very special and traditional way. The best part is that receiving something like that in the mail can come at just the right time—during a day when you need it the most—and should bring a smile to your face. It’s sad to think that a whole generation of people will never truly understand the feeling of receiving a special card in the mail, a handwritten letter, or a little note that says you were being thought about.
Last year, the American Greeting Card Association compiled numbers from European countries and Canada to estimate how many people still send out traditional Christmas cards. The numbers showed that Europeans and Canadians still sent an average of 11 cards per year, while Americans only sent 8 cards per household annually. When you consider that, in the beginning, families were sending out 300 cards per household, it’s easy to see that before long, this holiday tradition may no longer be significant. However, before you decide to opt out of sending Christmas cards, take a moment to realize how happy it might make someone in your life to receive a postage-paid Christmas card in the mail to hang on their mantel during this holiday season.
4 Responses
I get that buying and sending Christmas cards can seem to go against the green friendly world that we live in and are often seen as a source of waste. But I love the gesture and, for some people, that kind of communication may be the only one they receive in a whole year. It can be a lonely world and Christmas is a time for cheer and remembering others. So I make my own cards from recycled and scrap materials and then post the finished card in an envelope made from recycled paper. I also make cards for the charity outlets that benefit those less fortunate. Pages from old magazines and catalogues, the sales tags from clothing. old filing card, braid and ribbon trimmings, buttons, fabric offcuts – all these things are an amazing resource. Once cut, crimped, stamped, embossed or painted, they are unrecognisable from the original material and can produce some really pretty artwork.
Good for you Katie. I call B-S on those who claim time or money as a reason not to send. It’s pretty simple-if you want to do something, you do it; if not, you won’t. Oh well, lots more important things in life to get irked at. Peace.
I loved this post. I still send out about 60 cards in 2021 and each year I get fewer and fewer. I think I will always send more than the US average because I agree with you that a card, even the phototype in the mail is a kiss on the cheek from someone. I miss the cards and crazy letters. Email is nice, but honestly, it doesn’t say I care the same way an envelope in the letterbox does.
Great article. I’m a post baby boomer, and learned the tradition of sending Christmas Cards and an annual letter to go with it from my baby boomer parents. Started sending them 30 years ago and haven’t skipped a year. Started with 75. Now down to 55. I receive around 20-25 Christmas Cards each year. That number is down too, from 40. I write an annual letter to go with my cards and always keep it on the light and hilarious side of our family news. That works best for us. I’m so happy there’s still some tradition, before it turns into, the only Holiday Card people receive is from their insurance agent.