A child looking at a Christmas card in a gift shop in Kozhikode. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh
It was a time when the pavements of Mananchira Square were lined with shiny Christmas and New Year cards in vibrant colors and glittering Santas. Now, those physical tokens are being swept away by WhatsApp stickers, animated e-cards and Instagram stories, with technology changing the emotional quotient of Gen Z.
“The culture of exchanging cards and physical gifts has given way to the convenience of instant messaging. Young people spend less money on those feelings,” says Angelina Rachel, a college student.
Retailers who sell Christmas cards are also no longer able to drive sales like they used to. Now people spend less on such things and prefer to invest in practical goods. “But for us, Christmas was a time when we wrote letters and cards to relatives all over the world,” recalls 70-year-old Sakunthala K., who witnessed the transformation.
There has been a huge shift in gifting habits due to the generation gap. The Gen Z texting trend eclipses the enduring warmth of the thoughtful gesture. “For Secret Santa, the rule is that the gift must be something we can eat together. We prefer to go out for a meal and spend time with our friends rather than giving them physical gifts,” says Dharvesh KM, an architecture student.
Cards and gifts, regardless of their price, were once able to offer people great happiness. The essence of Christmas celebrations was woven into the simple joy of sharing time and passing on expressions of affection. “It was a great way to express gratitude to those we value. I still prefer greeting cards to any other gift. But few people gift each other now. People opt for digital messages which are only data, while a physical card is a souvenir,” says Liyana TK, a 20-year-old diploma student.
As in previous years, a Christmas tree will be installed in Mananchira Square, which will be draped in cascading tiny lights that form the glowing heart of the city. Along SM Street, the smell of freshly baked plum cakes wafts through the air.
However, stationery and bookstores selling cards don’t get the recognition they deserve. “The gifts we exchanged carried a story. Today even that personal connection is lost,” laments Fernando Wilson (32).
Published – 20 Dec 2025 20:05 IST
