In the digital age where festive greetings can be dashed off in seconds, a handwritten note on real paper feels more meaningful than ever.
Sending or receiving a Christmas card is not just tradition, it is an act of connection and pause in a world that rarely stops scrolling.
That human touch is at the heart of what keeps the business of greeting cards relevant and it is something our local designers are keen to preserve.
City centre-based company Handmade Nottingham, a collective supporting local artists and makers, features a variety of heartfelt and tongue-in-cheek cards on their shelves.
According to a 2023 Royal Mail survey, more than two-thirds of people still send Christmas cards. Almost 80 per cent say receiving one makes them feel more connected to friends and family.
Laura Fletcher, of Handmade Nottingham, says: “The run up to Christmas is our busiest time by far. We see a real surge in people coming through the door, often looking for cards that mean something.
“Especially given that the festive season is not always the happiest of times for people, we’ve got cards that acknowledge that. We’ve got your classic happy cards and we’ve got some cynical and sarcastic ones.”
Laura adds: “People appreciate that awareness, and because we work with local artists they know they’re supporting Nottingham talent too. It’s a win win.”
Tokenhouse gift shop similarly feels that festive magic. Employee Aoife Gaskill says: “It’s not just about buying cards, it’s about people wanting to reconnect in a way that feels real.
“People want that tactile experience more than ever. They want to feel thought about.”
She adds: “There’s still something special about the ritual of opening a card. The feel of the paper and the little pause before you read the message. It’s pure nostalgia.”
CBJ Target spoke to the people of Nottingham to find out if the consumers similarly feel the same way: are Christmas cards purely commercial or are they focused on community?
