Christmas cards may be replaced by festive text messages

Christmas cards may become a thing of the past as text and emails present an alternative way of sending seasons greetings which is proving popular with young people.

An overwhelming number of children are texting their friends to wish them a Merry Christmas - 76% admitted to sending a Christmas text.

The UK sends more greeting card per person than any other country according to the Greeting Cards Association, (GNA) but only 9% of 18 to 24-year-olds pop a Christmas card in the post.

As a nation, we are buying fewer cards than we used to. Despite a slight increase this in 2012, single Christmas card sales dipped considerably (20%) between 2009 - 2011.

According to the GNA, the UK is buying fewer cards. Despite a slight increase this in 2012, single Christmas card sales dipped considerably, 20%, between 2009 - 2011.

Over the last four years sales of single Christmas cards totalled:

• 2012 £164.4m

• 2011 £148.4m

• 2010 £167.1m

• 2009 £171.8m

Not everyone was down on Christmas cards. Etiquette expert William Hanson told Daybreak sending a Christmas card could be philanthropic as "a percentage of the profits" went to charity.

However, Stephen K Amos saw Christmas cards as a nuisance, as he was either sending them to people he saw "on a regular basis" or to someone he was not close to.

He had even received a Christmas card from his local garage.

"If you send them one, they might give you even better service!" Hanson quipped.