The Finnish Christmas card tradition is still going strong. This year will be no exception as, according to a survey commissioned by Posti at the end of the November, 80% of Finns are once again planning to send Christmas greetings. The majority of Christmas greetings are in the form of a mailed card or letter.
The survey reveals that the most popular way of sending Christmas greetings is to mail a card or a letter. Cards include both purchased and self-made Christmas cards as well as mailed Christmas cards made of a personal photo.
“It’s wonderful that the Christmas card tradition still seems to be going strong. A Christmas card is a practical, beautiful and traditional way of bringing joy and sending greetings. A physical card makes the receiver happy for a long time; the majority of respondents say they keep cards on display throughout the Christmas period. For many of us, a colorful row of cards is part of the Christmas decor,” says Tuija Åkerman from Postal Services.
According to the survey results, Christmas cards are sent to family members, relatives and friends. Most cards are sent to siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. 24% of respondents plan to send a Christmas card to everyone who has sent them a Christmas card. 4% of respondents even want to send a Christmas card to their pet!
94% of those planning to send Christmas greetings said that their main motivation was to make the other person happy. 81% of respondents see Christmas cards as a tradition they want to hold on to. Reciprocating was also an essential reason; receiving a Christmas card from someone makes people want to send a card back.
The COVID-19 situation this year has added an extra dimension to the Christmas period. If it is not possible to meet friends and family face-to-face this Christmas, the importance of a Christmas card is greater than ever.
“Christmas cards, letters or even mailed photo greetings, are COVID-safe ways of greeting friends and family and bringing people together emotionally,” says Tuija Åkerman.
Domestic Christmas cards with the Village Elf no-value indicator stamp (EUR 1.20) or a no-value indicator stamp from a previous Christmas will make it in time for Christmas as long as they are mailed at the latest by Monday, December 14. Cards can be dropped off at mailboxes until midnight on that day. You can recognize the stamps from the snowflake symbol. If you want to, you can send all of your cards in Posti’s red mailing envelope.
Christmas cards equipped with a Christmas Cottage no-value indicator stamp (EUR 1.75) or another domestic no-value indicator stamp will be delivered in time for Christmas as long as they are mailed at the latest by Thursday, December 17, according to the emptying schedules of mailboxes and Posti’s drop-off points. You can recognize these stamps from the map of Finland symbol.
If you are running late with your Christmas cards, they will still make it in time for Christmas if you add a Plus Sticker next to the domestic no-value indicator stamp and mail the cards at the latest by Monday, December 21, according to the emptying schedules of mailboxes and Posti’s drop-off points. Added to a normal letter or card, Posti’s Plus Sticker expedites delivery so that the letter or card is delivered on the second business day after it was mailed. You can also track your letter or card.
Commissioned by Posti, the survey was conducted by IROResearch Oy’s national consumer panel on November 17–26, 2020, with a total of 1,000 respondents. The survey’s margin of error is approximately +3.2 percentage points at most.
Mailing dates for Christmas mail and tips for a smoother Christmas: posti.fi/christmas
