A recent poll has revealed that six out of 10 adults are receiving fewer Christmas cards, with over three quarters not bothered by this decline. The survey of 2,000 UK adults who celebrate Christmas found that more than 40% hope this trend continues into Christmas 2024.
One in 10 respondents won’t be sending any cards this year, with nearly half admitting they would prefer not to but feel obligated as they still receive them. Almost half of the participants believe Christmas cards lack sincerity, and 40% think they have lost their importance.
The study was commissioned by mobile game Clash Royale, which recently offered visitors at Boxpark Shoreditch the chance to shred unwanted Christmas cards for in-game rewards.
A spokesperson commented: “Christmas cards might once have been the highlight of the holiday season, but it seems many are happy to let this tradition fade like tinsel on a tired old tree.”
The research also found that 72% believe the cost of buying and posting cards could contribute to their decline, while 60% think digital communication may make them obsolete.
It turns out that 17% aren’t looking forward to receiving a card from a distant relative they rarely see, and 12% dread getting one from a work colleague they barely know.
The tradition of sending and receiving Christmas cards appears to be dwindling among younger generations, with Gen Z participating the least.
Despite this, they feel the most obligated to send cards, even if they wouldn’t typically do so. Interestingly, Gen Z are also the most sentimental about Christmas cards, with 26% likely to keep them as mementos.
According to research conducted via OnePoll, 17% confessed to having exhibited Scrooge-like behaviour during the festive season. Among these individuals, 21% chose beef over the traditional turkey, while 20% vocally expressed their disdain for Christmas music in public spaces.
Furthermore, 17% declared that they never want to hear Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You again. One in 10 plan to spend Christmas Day engrossed in mobile games with their headphones on.
Many have also received less-than-ideal gifts, with the top five worst presents listed as unattractive clothing items, socks, toothpicks, oven mitts, and nail clippers.
