Not many Christmas cards this year? Blame email and the slump

Caitlin McBride

The Christmas card is in danger of becoming a thing of the past.

Thanks to an increasingly technological society and the number of shoppers keen to curb their Christmas costs, the number of cards being sold is in a steady decline.

According to research, consumers are opting for email rather than a personalised card in the post.

Charity shop Oxfam said that their sales for Christmas cards had dropped 14pc in comparison to last year, with market research company Mintel reporting that fewer households were choosing to send cards. Four years ago, 84pc of people sent a traditional card, but last year the figure had slumped to 73pc and this year, it is set to drop even further.

GLOOMY

However, sales of general greetings cards, including birthday cards, have increased by 5pc.

Shoppers are keen to make this year a recession friendly Christmas and see that avoiding the card is an easy way to save.

Analyst Michelle Strutton, of Mintel, said: "Following the recession, consumers bought slightly fewer greeting cards.

"In 2010 it seems gloomy economic forecasts and the threat of job cuts are making consumers ever more cautious.

"While at Christmas people want to celebrate, it seems the market for Christmas cards has been weak."

She said shoppers were choosing lower-priced cards and bulk packs.

cmcbride@herald.ie