Christmas Card Day on Dec. 9 draws attention to a custom that has never lost its place in American life. More than a billion handwritten cards will soon travel through post offices and front doors as households continue to support one of the busiest mailing periods of the year. In a time when messages move instantly, the observance points back to the value of cards made by hand.
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The value of Christmas Card Day lies in what it protects: the habit of reaching out with intention. Beyond greetings, it preserves thoughtfulness in communication, keeping every exchange personal and grounded in care.
The meaning behind Christmas Card Day
The tradition of sending holiday cards began in 1843 when British civil servant Sir Henry Cole commissioned the first printed Christmas card, hoping to make greetings easier to share. His idea spread across Europe and soon crossed the Atlantic, where it grew into a lasting seasonal ritual.
In the United States, the practice continues to thrive each December as households prepare envelopes ahead of the postal rush. Dec. 17 is the recommended cutoff for First-Class Mail within the Lower 48 states, aligning with the busiest period of greeting-card traffic across the national network.
The rise in mail volume underscores the continued importance of sending something tangible during the holidays. Each handwritten card takes time and care, and when it arrives, it carries more than a message. It becomes evident that connection can still move through paper and ink.
A handwritten card still says more
The appeal of handwritten cards endures because the effort behind them feels genuine. Personal notes build deeper emotional links than digital messages, engaging attention through touch and permanence. Each card carries meaning that lasts beyond the moment it’s received.
Writing by hand slows the pace of giving. It encourages people to think, choose their words and take a moment away from screens. Americans purchase about 1.5 billion Christmas cards each year, proof that the tradition continues to hold real value. The process itself becomes an expression of care, turning a simple task into a personal gesture.
Experts in social behavior explain that handwritten correspondence remains important in an age dominated by instant communication. A physical card breaks routine by arriving with weight, texture and intention. It reminds senders and recipients alike that time and thought still give meaning to what they share.
Families bring the tradition home
Across the country, families turn kitchen tables into small mailing stations once the holiday season begins. Parents gather stacks of cards while children decorate them with drawings or stickers. Some choose traditional prints while others design photo layouts, but the purpose stays the same: to send something personal that feels sincere, a small act that keeps the magic of Christmas alive.
In many homes, the process has become a December routine passed down from one generation to the next. Families set aside time to write messages, seal envelopes and talk about the people they plan to reach. The slower pace gives each card a sense of purpose, turning a simple task into a moment of connection.
Schools help carry the tradition forward by making card writing part of classroom projects. Teachers guide students as they choose paper, write messages and mail cards to nursing homes or hospitals. Doing Good Together shares that many classrooms nationwide create and send handmade cards to older adults and military personnel.
Communities unite through cards
Neighborhoods and organizations throughout the U.S. continue to keep the tradition visible through local outreach. Community centers and volunteer groups host card-writing sessions where residents prepare greetings for nearby households, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. These gatherings create small opportunities for connection and help strengthen local ties.
Libraries have also joined in. The Palo Alto City Library hosted its Year of Letters: Celebrate Connection Through Greeting Cards program on Dec. 3 at Rinconada Library, encouraging visitors of all ages to make and send cards. In Los Angeles, the Central Library held its Holiday Cards Craft event on Dec. 6, offering materials for anyone who wanted to create a card and mail it directly from the site. Both programs keep public spaces involved in supporting personal correspondence during the holidays.
Businesses contribute, too. Sugar Paper and Paper Culture feature customizable holiday cards for families and offices, while local stationery stores nationwide offer similar options. The U.S. Postal Service has extended retail hours at select branches to accommodate the season’s heavier mail flow.
How to take part this year
Participation can start with something simple: a short list of people to reach. Taking time to write each note by hand gives the message more purpose than sending a digital greeting. A few thoughtful cards for friends, coworkers or neighbors can make the exchange more personal.
Those hoping to reach beyond their circle can join card-writing efforts led by local nonprofits or civic programs that collect greetings for hospitals, retirement homes and military personnel. Many facilities accept envelopes addressed only as To a Friend, a gesture that brings comfort to those who might not hear from family during the season.
Residents who prefer to stay local can look for collection boxes at libraries or community centers where volunteers gather cards for nearby households. These small initiatives make participation easy and keep the spirit of giving active without the need for large-scale events. Each card written today becomes part of a wider chain of goodwill that connects communities across the country.
Keep sincerity in motion
As instant messages dominate communication, the return of mailed cards restores a sense of presence often lost online. Sending one becomes more than a gesture; it’s proof that thought and effort still give meaning to genuine connection. The tradition lasts not for nostalgia’s sake but because it continues to remind people what sincerity looks like in practice.
Jennifer Allen is a retired professional chef and long-time writer. Her work appears in dozens of publications, including MSN, Yahoo, The Washington Post and The Seattle Times. These days, she’s busy in the kitchen developing recipes and traveling the world, and you can find all her best creations at Cook What You Love.
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