Digital or mail? Here’s how Americans prefer to send their holiday and Christmas cards

It’s once again time to don your tacky sweater, snap a family photo and break out those correspondence skills: ‘Tis the season for holiday cards.

And there’s a cool back story behind the annual “For the love of … why can’t I get a good picture of all of us?” tradition.

This year, two-thirds of U.S. adults who sent or plan on sending out winter holiday cards from Thanksgiving to New Year’s will keep that going. That figure is on par with last year’s, according to an exclusive Grid/Harris poll.

Sending physical cards remains everyone’s favorite way to connect

Snail mail is still by far the most popular delivery option, used by 7 in 10 of those who are sending out holiday cards, this year. While older generations are more likely to go through the process of stuff, address, send, it’s also becoming more popular among Gen Z. This year, 63 percent of Zoomers who sent a holiday card did so through the mail, compared with 47 percent last year, according to survey data.

What’s the second most popular delivery option, used by nearly a third of card senders? This stat shocked us: It’s going that extra mile to send a physical card through personal delivery, such as in person or by courier.

Virtual cards are less of a thing

A quarter of respondents plan on sending their card this year to someone through email or social media. Millennials are more likely than any other generation to send virtual cards. About 39 percent of millennials sending cards this year — followed by 19 percent of both Gen Z and Gen X — say they’ll send a digital card through email or social media to someone if they haven’t already.

People send physical cards to those they’re closest to

When it comes to digital cards, two-thirds of senders say their cards are going to friends, followed by 62 and 60 percent, respectively, saying these cards are going to extended and immediate family members.

Not to mention, holiday cards are sure to bring a spark of joy to someone’s day — who doesn’t love receiving a personalized card in their mailbox or inbox?