Fading traditions: Handwritten greeting cards fade as digital wishes dominate

As the world prepares to usher in a new year, a wave of nostalgia is sweeping across generations who once cherished the tradition of exchanging handwritten greeting cards. What were once heartfelt messages inked onto blank sheets of paper—filled with respect, affection, warmth, and sincerity—are now gradually becoming relics of a bygone era.

There was a time when people eagerly moved from shop to shop searching for the perfect greeting card to express love and goodwill. For many, these cards carried emotional value far beyond their paper and print. They were tokens of personal connection, often reminding recipients of loved ones who are no longer around. Revisiting those cards brings back not just memories, but the people who made those memories special.

Handwritten greeting cards were small but meaningful works of art. Each signature, heartfelt note, and carefully crafted message captured emotions that digital texts can rarely replicate. The joy of receiving a card from someone dear—touched by their own hands—was an experience cherished deeply, especially by those who grew up in the 1990s.

Today, however, digital greetings dominate New Year communication. While convenient and instantaneous, they lack the charm, warmth, and sincerity that physical cards once carried. Many cultural observers note that rapid technological advancement has contributed to a subtle decline in interpersonal warmth and emotional depth.

In earlier decades, New Year celebrations involved children, adults, friends, and families enthusiastically writing cards for one another. These cards, filled with love and affection, were exchanged personally—often becoming treasured keepsakes. But with the rise of smartphones and social media, this heartfelt practice has faded, leaving only memories for those who lived through the era.

As society transitions deeper into the digital age, the tradition of handwritten greeting cards stands as a poignant reminder of a more personal, emotionally rich time. The question that lingers now is whether we have allowed the essence of those golden moments to slip away amidst the convenience of digital communication.