‘A long-distance hug’: readers and gen Z on the joy – and expense – of sending Christmas cards

Sales of Christmas cards are down as soaring price of stamps means many people opt for digital festive greetings

The soaring price of stamps has cast doubt on the future of Christmas cards, but despite the money and time involved it seems gen Z want to keep the festive tradition likened to sending a “long distance hug”.

This year, sales of boxed cards are down 23%, and individual Christmas cards 15%, according to John Lewis’s annual shopping trends report, but people have embraced Instagram or WhatsApp to share festive greetings, or sent e-cards. Some send a combination.