Six in 10 adults are receiving fewer Christmas cards — and three-quarters of them aren’t bothered in the slightest, according to a new poll.
The study of 2,000 US adults found 44 percent hope this downward trend continues for the rest of this Christmas.
Three in 10 aren’t planning to send a single card this year, but 35 percent wish they didn’t have to but feel an obligation to do so as they still receive them.
Almost four in 10 (37 percent) don’t think Christmas cards are as important as they used to be, while 35 percent feel they lack sincerity.
Americans are bothered about their presents though, with ugly clothes, socks, and a toothpick ranking as the top three worst gifts that they have received.
The research was commissioned by the smartphone game Clash Royale, which is sending gaming content creators a selection of these terrible gifts wrapped in paper with in-game rewards for them to giveaway.
A spokesperson said: “Christmas cards might once have been the highlight of the holiday season, but it seems many Americans are happy to let this tradition fade like tinsel on a tired old tree.”
The research also found 60 percent believe the cost of buying and posting cards could be one reason for their demise, while 58 percent reckon the rise in digital communication might be making them obsolete.
In fact, 39 percent would rather have a festive video call to catch up with loved ones, and 33 percent think a personalized text message would suffice.
On average, Americans who are sending cards will write 10 and expect to receive eight in return.
But 23 percent aren’t looking forward to receiving one from a distant relative they never see, and 12 percent are cringing at the thought of getting one from a work colleague they hardly know.
Once the festivities are over, 19 percent will just chuck the cards they receive in the trash.
The younger generations also seem to be doing away with the tradition of Christmas cards, with Gen Z sending and receiving the least out of all generations.
And they also feel the most obliged (55 percent) to send a card even though they wouldn’t normally bother.
However, Gen Z is one of the most sentimental about cards, with 32 percent likely to keep hold of them as keepsakes, according to the findings from OnePoll.
It also emerged that 20 percent admit they have been a Scrooge in the past, fighting back against the holiday spirit.
Of these, 18 percent refused to decorate the tree, and 15 percent complained loudly about awful Christmas music in public spaces.
20 percent named All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey as the holiday song they never want to hear again.
And 12 percent will be putting their headphones on and playing mobile games all Christmas Day.
