In contrast to digital platforms, a majority of Germans opt for traditional postcards for holiday salutations.
In a recent survey conducted by the AFP and reported on ntv.de, it has been revealed that a significant majority of Germans prefer traditional postcards for sending and receiving vacation greetings. The survey, which was carried out between June 26 and 30, 2025, polled approximately 1,000 German citizens aged 18 and over.
The results showed that two-thirds of Germans (65%) prefer receiving vacation greetings via postcard, while postcards themselves were the clear favourite for sending greetings, with 69% finding them more personal than digital alternatives. In second place, 61% of Germans prefer using WhatsApp and other messaging services for vacation greetings. Interestingly, only 16% prefer vacation greetings via email, and 18% enjoy receiving greetings via social networks.
The survey did not provide any information on the impact of technology on vacation greeting preferences, nor did it reveal any new trends in vacation greeting methods. Additionally, it did not mention any changes in preferences compared to previous years, nor did it specify the geographical location of the participants or provide a demographic breakdown of the results.
Last year, Deutsche Post handled approximately 96 million postcards, with the majority of postcards from abroad coming from Austria. The most postcards sent from Germany to other countries went to the USA.
Despite the convenience of digital communication, the survey findings suggest that many Germans value the tactile, physical nature of postcards, making them more meaningful and memorable compared to digital greetings. This preference for traditional postcards may indicate a continued appreciation for the sentimental value of a physical memento, such as pinning a postcard to the refrigerator or saving it in a collection.
In conclusion, the 2025 Forsa survey has shown that traditional postcards remain popular for vacation greetings among Germans, with 65% preferring to receive greetings via postcard and 69% finding postcards more personal than digital alternatives. The survey did not provide any new trends or insights into the impact of technology on vacation greeting preferences.
In light of the survey results, it may be beneficial for local community policies to consider promoting vocational training programs in the arts and crafts sector, such as design or photography, to cater to the growing demand for handmade postcards. Additionally, to tap into the fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden lifestyles popular among Germans, vocational training in these areas could also be offered, to help individuals create unique and personalized postcards that reflect their personality and lifestyle preferences.
