Poczta Polska encourages people to cultivate the tradition of sending Christmas cards and vouchers.
Sending Christmas greetings is a very old custom. Fewer and fewer people practice the traditional form, and Poland is one of the countries in Europe that is abandoning it the fastest. Poczta Polska wants to break this trend by encouraging sending greetings in paper form and offering the possibility of purchasing Christmas cards and gift cards.
Greetings written on parchment were sent as early as ancient Egypt, and in Europe around the 15th or 16th century. The phrase "Merry Christmas" was first used in a letter sent in 1534, and the first item resembling a Christmas card – a richly decorated manuscript – was received by King James I of England in 1611. Christmas cards as we know them today appeared in the 19th century.
According to data collected by Eurostat from 19 European countries, the production of Christmas cards in Poland has fallen by 93% over the last ten years (2009–2019). This downward trend is visible in almost all European countries. Greetings are increasingly being sent via instant messaging, SMS, MMS, and email.
Poczta Polska, a company with centuries of tradition, is the guardian of customs that unite people, even during such special moments as the most eagerly awaited holidays of the year. Starting in November, special Christmas-themed cards and cards can be purchased at post offices – religious and secular, with greetings and customizable, minimalistic and richly decorated. These include 3D designs, such as those with a removable nativity scene, confetti, musical instruments, a Christmas wafer, or with Christmas carols or recipes. The cheapest cards cost 2.25 PLN, the most expensive ones 13.90 PLN. Posters at post offices encourage people to send a Christmas card to their loved ones.
The Polish Post (Poczta Polska) sales network still offers Christmas Eve table sets (hay and wafers), home and tree decorations, and a range of items that can be found under the tree as Christmas gifts – books for children and adults, coloring books, games, art supplies and kits, cosmetics and tea sets, sweets, gift bags, and gift tags. All products are available in many varieties and at various prices. You can also order a personalized letter or video from Santa Claus at post offices or online.
Until the holidays, post offices are also collecting donations for those in need, including those supported by various aid agencies. This year, the initiative is being organized by "Pocztowy Dar" (Post Gift), in collaboration with the following foundations: Inicjatywa, Happy Kids, Liga Superbohaterów (Superhero League), and the West Pomeranian Family Aid Foundation "Tęcza Serc" (Rainbow of Hearts). In 2022, over PLN 2.2 million worth of support was distributed to those in need.