We live in the digital age, where e-greetings and texts are quicker than a trip to the mailbox. But nothing beats the joy of receiving a physical Christmas card. The personal touch, the emotional weight, the sheer excitement of tearing open that envelope can’t be replicated by a digital card.
In this article, we’ll explain why physical Christmas cards are still going strong, how to personalize them in creative ways and how businesses can use them to spread some branded holiday cheer. We’ll also explore Christmas card design trends and sustainable options that allow you to send festive greetings without the guilt.
- Physical Christmas cards are still worth sending for their personal touch and as nostalgic keepsakes.
- Use Christmas cards to share updates, announce life events and stay connected with loved ones.
- Businesses can show appreciation, engage customers and promote their brand with personalized holiday messages.
- Christmas card trends for 2025 include minimalist designs, hand-drawn illustrations, metallic foil, QR codes and inclusive messaging.
- Eco-friendly Christmas card options include recycled paper, plantable cards, soy-based inks and local printing to reduce environmental impact.
Why physical Christmas cards are still popular
Are physical Christmas cards still popular in the digital age? Absolutely! Christmas cards offer something digital communication can’t: a personal connection. An e-card or a quick “Merry Christmas” text is easy, but a beautifully crafted card with a handwritten note is more meaningful and nostalgic. It’s a gesture that says, “I took the time for you,” making it stand out in a world of fleeting digital messages.
Over 2 billion Christmas cards are sent annually in the U.S., making up 61% of all seasonal greeting card sales. So, why do so many people still choose to send physical cards?
- Tangible keepsakes: Physical cards have emotional value. How many text messages or emails end up on your fridge or mantle? Probably none. But physical cards are displayed, saved or even framed, becoming a lasting reminder of loved ones and the holiday season.
- Cultural significance: The nostalgia of sending and receiving Christmas cards taps into the festive spirit, bringing back memories of childhood.
- Personalization: Christmas cards can be customized to be more personal to you and the recipient. Whether it’s a photo card or an accompaniment to a personalized Christmas gift, a custom card feels more meaningful than a digital card ever could.
- Affordability: Christmas is the season of big spending, but Christmas cards are an affordable way to spread holiday cheer. Even when printing in bulk, cards are a cost-effective option for sharing personalized greetings.
The resurgence of physical Christmas cards also stems from the pandemic. When in-person connections were limited, cards became a way to stay connected in an increasingly digital and distanced world. According to our holiday card trends, 88% of people say they love receiving them and 61% of people say they prefer receiving printed holiday cards over digital ones.
Why physical Christmas cards are useful
More than just a holiday tradition, Christmas cards can be a versatile tool for both individuals and businesses. Beyond sending well-wishes, Christmas cards have many uses. Let’s explore the most popular ones.
Personal uses for Christmas cards
Christmas cards are a great way to strengthen connections with family and friends. Whether it’s a handwritten note of well-wishes or photos of meaningful moments, physical Christmas cards offer a personal touch.
Share precious family photos on Christmas cards
As well as sending them to family and friends, sharing holiday greetings and showing appreciation for loved ones, here are some popular ways to use personalized Christmas cards:
- Reaching long-distance connections: For those who live far away, Christmas cards are a special way to stay connected.
- Sharing annual photo recaps: Because Christmas is about connection, many people use cards to highlight the year’s most meaningful moments, from family photos to personal milestones. It’s a heartfelt way to keep loved ones up to date with and involved in your life.
- Announcing life events: Christmas cards are the perfect way to announce important life updates such as a new baby, engagement or move, adding extra joy and significance to the announcement.
- Adding a personal touch to gifts: A Christmas card is a simple but meaningful addition to any Secret Santa gift idea. A heartfelt note can make the gift feel more personal and thoughtful, elevating even the smallest present.
Business uses for Christmas cards
Christmas is a joyful season that offers the perfect opportunity to connect with people at every level—from personal relationships to professional ones. Company Christmas cards can be an effective marketing tool for businesses. With their personal touch and emotional appeal, they can help strengthen relationships, engage customers and promote your brand.
Holiday greetings for customers, vendors and partners
Sending Christmas card greetings to customers, vendors and business partners is a simple yet meaningful way to show appreciation. It’s a gesture that goes beyond transaction, humanizes your brand and reinforces your commitment to building lasting relationships.
Christmas card design by NXTcanvas via 99designs by Vista
Businesses can use physical Christmas cards to:
- Express gratitude: Acknowledge their support and contribution throughout the year, emphasizing how much their partnership or custom means to your business.
- Recap shared successes: Highlight key achievements or milestones you’ve reached by working together, expressing the positive impact of your collaboration.
- Look ahead: Mention upcoming opportunities or projects, showing enthusiasm for continuing the partnership and building on your success in the new year.
Christmas cards are a powerful customer engagement tool, helping humanize your brand and keeping you top-of-mind during the holiday season. Sending personalized cards to loyal customers shows appreciation and deepens their connection with your business. To make this even more effective, include a thank-you note that reinforces customer loyalty and reminds them of your gratitude.
Include a holiday discount code to make the card both a festive greeting and a gesture of appreciation.
Christmas card design by Mohak Ahuja via 99designs by Vista
Tease new products and attract new customers
Use Christmas cards to tease an upcoming product release, sparking excitement and anticipation. They also offer an opportunity to encourage referrals by offering an incentive, such as a discount on future purchases, for customers who refer friends or family.
Finally, Christmas cards can be a great way to attract new customers. Sending cards to potential clients or local prospects offers a memorable introduction to your business, leaving a lasting first impression at a time when people are most open to connecting.
What’s popular in Christmas card design: 2025 Christmas card trends
Christmas cards should always feel personal and reflect your unique style. However, these design trends are making their mark in 2025. Here’s what’s popular in Christmas card design this year.
The design of your Christmas card plays a big part in how it’s received. Here are some creative Christmas card ideas and top aesthetics for 2025:
- Minimalist and modern: Simple, clean designs are in. These cards focus on subtle elegance, with less clutter and more thoughtful, spacious layouts.
- Hand-drawn illustrations: There’s a shift toward personalized touches, with hand-drawn elements adding a unique, artistic feel that stands out from mass-produced designs.
- Metallic foil and embossing: Adding metallic foil accents or embossing elevates a card’s luxury feel, making it feel more special.
- Black and gold or deep green palettes: Bold, sophisticated color schemes, like black paired with gold or deep green, are trending in 2025, adding an elegant touch to traditional Christmas card designs.
Add gold foil accents to black Christmas cards for an elegant look
Photo Christmas cards
Photo Christmas cards remain incredibly popular year after year. Whether it’s a single photo or a collage capturing moments from the past year, these cards offer a tangible and heartfelt way to showcase your family, pets or favorite memories.
Christmas card design using holiday fonts
Inclusive messaging
Christmas cards are becoming more inclusive, reflecting a wider range of beliefs and cultural backgrounds. Instead of focusing on traditional religious themes, many people are opting for non-religious messages that celebrate the season of goodwill.
Multilingual Christmas card design by Maya ah via 99designs by Vista
Multilingual greeting cards are also gaining popularity, making cards more accessible to a global audience. Whether it’s wishing “Feliz Navidad,” “Joyeux Noël,” or simply “Happy Holidays,” inclusive messaging means everyone feels included in the holiday spirit.
Interactive Christmas cards
Interactive Christmas cards are a fun way to blend tradition with technology. By adding a QR code to your card, you can bridge the digital and physical worlds, offering recipients a unique, interactive experience.
The Christmas card QR code can link to:
- A personal video greeting, to send a heartfelt message in a more personal way.
- Family updates, sharing highlights from the past year or showcasing milestones.
- A curated holiday playlist, getting in the festive mood with a collection of your favorite seasonal tunes.
For non-digital interactive Christmas cards, add cutouts or 3D inserts. These interactive elements add a tactile, creative touch, making your Christmas card stand out without technology.
Fun themes
Fun, lighthearted themes are also a hit in 2025. Whether it’s pets dressed up in Santa hats, a recap of your family’s travels or matching outfits for the whole family, these playful card designs bring joy and laughter.
Before designing your card, choose a theme that reflects your family’s personality or this year’s highlights to make the Christmas card design process easier and more cohesive.
Eco-friendly Christmas cards
For those concerned about the environmental impact of sending physical Christmas cards, there are plenty of sustainable options that still capture the spirit of the season. Here are some eco-friendly Christmas card ideas:
- Recycled or FSC-certified paper: Choose cards made from recycled paper or certified sustainable sources to minimize your environmental impact.
- Soy-based inks and plastic-free packaging: Look for cards printed with soy-based inks, which are more eco-friendly and packaged in plastic-free materials.
- Make DIY Christmas cards: Reuse or upcycle old cards as décor or in craft projects, giving them a second life and reducing waste.
- Plantable cards: Opt for cards with seeds embedded, allowing the recipient to plant them and grow flowers or herbs.
VistaPrint offers eco-friendly Christmas card materials, including bamboo, hemp-blend, cotton, kraft and 100% post-consumer recycled natural textured paper.
How to make your Christmas cards feel personal
To make your Christmas cards stand out and feel truly personal, the key is to add meaningful touches that reflect your personality and make recipients feel special.
Step 1: Choose a theme
Start by choosing a theme or visual concept that resonates with you. Whether it’s a cozy winter scene, a family photo or highlights of your year, the theme sets the tone for the card.
Step 2: Add personal touches
Add handwritten notes or names to make cards feel more personal. Even a brief, heartfelt message or a quick signature shows that you’ve put thought into the card and took the time to make it meaningful.
Step 3: Add special touches
To make your Christmas cards feel even more special, consider adding a QR code, linking to a family year-in-review video, a Spotify holiday playlist or a festive slideshow for an interactive touch.
Use custom stickers, envelopes or envelope seals to enhance the presentation and show extra effort.
Continue the joy of holiday mail with physical Christmas cards!
Sending a physical Christmas card has emotional and nostalgic value that digital messages can’t match. Whether you’re writing to Grandma or thanking a loyal customer, a tangible card leaves a lasting impression, showing that you’ve taken the time to make someone feel special.
Designing and printing cards should be easy and enjoyable, just like the holiday season. When working with VistaPrint:
- Start with templates
- Upload photos, select fonts and customize layouts
- Add your personal message
- Order in bulk or small quantities
Embrace the process—it’s creative and rewarding. Spread the joy of the season with a personalized card and make memories last.
