Christmas 2020 is certainly going to be an irregular one. Even though we may not be able to spend this Christmas with our friends and familys ones, we are still able to send and receive gifts to spread the Christmas spirit, despite the virus that has disrupted all of our lives. However, there is a classic tradition that may not carry on, Christmas cards.

Since 1843, the Christmas card has been a way to wish friends and family a merry Christmas by a simple letter in the post; an act of kindness that everyone appreciates. However, in this modern world, technology has evolved and less and less Christmas cards are being sent around. This is because it has become a lot easier for people to say merry Christmas by the quick touch of a keyboard on a phone, and it is a message that can be received within a matter of seconds. As generations get older, it will be less likely that they are going to write a Christmas card and post it, as they would have grown up with technology at their fingertips, which is a much more efficient way of saying a simple “Merry Christmas”.

I do believe that this generation and modern technology is not the only thing to blame for this year’s lack of Christmas cards – covid-19 also has a big part to play. People may worry about writing out all their Christmas cards with infected hands and then quite literally sending them the virus in the post, putting all the people they love at risk. This would lead to people not wanting to send out their Christmas cards at the risk of infecting other people.

As well as this, another reason why Christmas cards are not being sent out is because they are no longer allowed at schools around the country. Most children give out Christmas cards to their friends to have a bit of fun and spread the Christmas cheer, but at local schools they have now been banned. By hearing this, some people may think that the schools and government have become grinches, but before you think this, they do have a valid reason – once again because of the coronavirus.  Schools are a prime place for the disease to spread, and so with the added risk of transmission that comes with giving out Christmas cards may just make the situation worse.

To summarise, joyful, simple Christmas traditions such as Christmas cards may eventually die out, maybe just because if this irregular Christmas and corona virus, but it could be down to this generations opinions on them, and whether or not it is much more efficient to send their Christmas wishes via a text message.