Aussie Rules: Australia Emerges As UK’s Top Destination For International Christmas Cards

New research from Royal Mail reveals that four in ten (40%) Britons will send Christmas cards to loved ones overseas this year. More than one in ten (12%) will send more internationally-bound cards than they usually do, due to concern over lockdown restrictions.

The survey of 2,000 UK adults sees Australian-based friends and family receive the greatest number of overseas cards, closely followed by the USA. The top 20 list is as follows:

International Christmas Card Sending Hotspots

1. Australia (32%)
2. USA (30%)
3. Canada (16%)
4. Spain (12%)
5. New Zealand (11%)
6. France (11%)
7. Republic of Ireland (10%)
8. Germany (9%)
9. Netherlands (4%)
10. Italy (4%)
11. Portugal (3%)
12. Poland (3%)
13. Cyprus (2%)
14. Belgium (2%)
15. Switzerland (2%)
16. Sweden (2%)
17. South Africa (2%)
18. Austria (2%)
19. Japan (2%)
20. India (2%)

Friends (53%), cousins (19%) and siblings (17%) are the most common recipients of Christmas cards sent overseas. However, the research revealed that a rogue 1% send a festive missive to a pet based in another country. Nearly one in ten (8%) send them to work colleagues (current or previous) based abroad.

Receiving handwritten Christmas cards is seen by those unable to spend Christmas with their families as one of the most (20%) thoughtful ways that loved ones can let them know that they are on their mind. For many, they are valued more than sending a present (6%), receiving mementoes from home (5%), or sending a message on any form of social media (3%).

Mark Street, Head of Campaigns at Royal Mail commented: 'This year, perhaps more than ever, it is vital to let loved ones know that they are in your thoughts. Christmas cards are an iconic symbol of the festive season and a great way of showing absent friends and family that you care. And once they are up on the mantel piece, they are a wonderful way to ensure that your love for them is not forgotten. Put simply, sometimes a letter or card is better.'

Ends

Notes to Editors

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.

Total sample size was 2,060 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13^th - 16^th November 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

About Royal Mail plc

Royal Mail plc is the parent company of Royal Mail Group Limited, the leading provider of postal and delivery services in the UK and the UK's designated universal postal service provider. UK Parcels, International and Letters ('UKPIL') comprises the company's UK and international parcels and letters delivery businesses operating under the 'Royal Mail' and 'Parcelforce Worldwide' brands. Through the Royal Mail Core Network, the company delivers a one-price-goes-anywhere service on a range of parcels and letters products. Royal Mail has the capability to deliver to more than 29 million addresses in the UK, six days a week (excluding UK public holidays). Parcelforce Worldwide operates a separate UK network which collects and delivers express parcels. Royal Mail also owns General Logistics Systems (GLS) which operates one of the largest ground-based, deferred parcel delivery networks in Europe.