Are Greeting Cards Still Popular?

This question comes up often.

With today’s technology and growing ecological awareness, many people wonder whether greeting cards are still necessary, or even paper in general.

Emails or virtual greetings can easily take their place.

Birthday cards, holiday wishes, birth announcements, congratulations… cards have always played a role, not only in our personal lives but also in business, where companies use them to connect with employees and clients alike.

It is true that our mailboxes no longer overflow with envelopes the way they once did.

Bills and official papers have gone digital, making organization and access so much easier.

Correspondence, as it used to be, was an art form.

Words were carefully chosen and written with intention. We took the time to feel our emotions and put them into words. Beyond the text, there was the choice of paper, the envelope, and then handing it all over to the postman. The process was slow, yet delightful, both for sender and receiver. It might carry important information, simple everyday news, or even a love letter.

Human beings have long held on to this need for connection. And despite what we might think, it still exists, because the desire to share never disappears.

Of course, times change and so do our habits.

We can just as well type on a keyboard, and the joy of words remains.

Yet many people struggle to let go of paper entirely.

Writing is everywhere, even if it is just a grocery list.

The hand that writes is directly connected to the heart, to the mind, to our emotions.

Surprisingly, the love for stationery is booming.

It is not just about the object itself, but the meaning it carries. The smell of paper, the pleasure of holding a notebook, the endless variety of cards and pens in stores.

Surrounding yourself with paper and pen is like creating a little sanctuary, a moment where time slows down and thoughts take shape.

Greeting cards are still very much alive. Maybe they are sent less often by post, but they are still exchanged in person, often paired with a gift.

There are countless designs for every taste and every occasion. Some people even buy cards just to keep them, simply because they find them beautiful.

And what about the environment?

Although the paper industry is often criticized, many alternatives now exist to reduce the ecological footprint. Some manufacturing processes lower the impact, and recycled paper or other organic materials are increasingly used.

It is up to us as consumers to make thoughtful choices.

Seed paper, for instance, is biodegradable and made from recycled materials mixed with flower, herb, or vegetable seeds. Not a single tree is harmed.

Some things can easily be replaced, but others carry meaning that is deeply rooted in tradition.

Since energy flows through everything, I believe matter itself can hold it, which explains my love for stationery.

In the end, I cannot say whether greeting cards will disappear one day. But one thing is certain, the gestures we make and the gifts we give carry a powerful energy, human and emotional. It is up to us to infuse them with beauty, whatever form they take.

Photo de Jemima Whyles sur Unsplash