We may live in a world of text messaging and social media but the tradition of sending a Christmas card is still firmly alive and kicking.
It comes as new research found that 78 percent of people are planning to post a Christmas card this year, showing the beloved British tradition is still part of our festive schedule.
And for those stuck on what to write or how to address their Christmas cards – some inspiration can be drawn from new insights on the nation’s festive writing etiquette.
Post Office research found that ‘Merry Christmas’ is officially the most popular greeting, with 53 percent of us choosing it as our preferred phrase.
‘Happy Christmas’ followed with half the votes (25 percent) – but it is becoming passé: just 16 percent of Gen Z and millennials (16-34 years) selected it as their preferred greeting, compared to 65 percent of baby boomers (55+ years).
Instead, ‘Happy Holidays’ is on the rise, with Gen Z (16-24 years) eight times more likely to use the phrase than baby boomers (55+) (8 percent vs 1 percent) – though it doesn’t yet compete with old favourites.
‘Glad Tidings’ and ‘Good Tidings’ are on the critically endangered list, with just two percent of the population selecting one of them as their go-to phrase.
‘Dear’ (44 percent) and ‘To’ (41 percent) are still the agreed ways of addressing Christmas cards, with just eight percent opting for ‘Hi’. We’re a warm-hearted nation, with ‘Lots of love’ (35 percent) and ‘Love’ (25 percent) remaining the most popular signoffs.
Laura Joseph from the Post Office said: “It has been fascinating to see the different ways we address our Christmas gifts as the nation gears up for the big day.
“But whether it’s ‘Merry Christmas’, ‘Happy Christmas’ or ‘Season’s Greetings’, it loses its meaning if it arrives late.”
The Post Office is reminding the nation that the final dates for posting cards and gifts within the UK in time for Christmas Day are rapidly approaching. Monday 18 December is the final recommended date for posting Second Class and Wednesday 20 December for First Class.
But don’t despair if things get in the way and you miss the last first-class date: Post Office’s new ‘buy-in-branch’ service in partnership with DPD and Evri means that additional next day delivery services alongside Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed are also available over the counter up until Thursday 21 and Friday 22 December.
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