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Changing Trends in New Year's Cards: A 2025 Survey

In a world where social media continues to dominate, traditional practices like sending New Year's cards are undergoing significant transformations. A recent survey conducted by the family photo platform fotowa revealed intriguing insights about how young parents approach this age-old custom.

Survey Overview

The survey, titled New Year's Cards and Family Photos 2025, was conducted from November 19 to December 8, 2025, with a sample of 674 participants aged between 20 and 40, divided roughly into families with and without children. The aim was to investigate the motivations behind sending New Year's cards, especially as digital communication becomes the norm.

Findings at a Glance

• - Sending Rates: Parents are about twice as likely to send New Year's cards compared to those without children.
• - Reasons for Sending: Many in their 20s express a desire to evoke feelings of joy through receiving cards, emphasizing an emotional connection.
• - Concerns Over Appearances: Approximately 80% of young parents are worried about the pressures of 'New Year's card hierarchies', a phenomenon where card content may unintentionally convey social status.
• - Preference for Personal Images: Rather than family photos, about 60% of young parents opt for images that reflect their personal interests, such as favorite characters.
• - Awareness of Recipient's Situations: A substantial 86.98% of parents consider the personal circumstances of their card recipients, mainly focusing on marital status.
• - Favorable Reception of Photos: Close to 90% of recipients view family photos positively, indicating a strong desire for such visual updates.

Detailed Insights

Young Parents and New Year's Cards

Among parents in their 20s and 30s, 38.46% sent cards to friends outside their families, compared to just 19.24% of those without children. This suggests a deeper commitment to maintaining connections through traditional means among parents. When asked why they still send cards, many cited a desire to share happiness and avoid the emotional weight of being overlooked.

The 'New Year's Card Hierarchy'

Interestingly, the survey revealed growing recognition of the concept of 'New Year's card hierarchies', where the content of the card can be perceived as a reflection of one's life status. Around 70% of young parents are aware of this phenomenon, with those in their 20s showing the highest concern.

Cultural Shifts in Card Design

When it came to design preferences, a surprising shift emerged: young parents lean towards using imagery that represents their personal interests over traditional family photos. Approximately 57% of this group favored designs reflecting personal passions rather than featuring their families, setting a modern tone for a traditionally family-centered practice.

Sensitivity to Others' Situations

Parents show high levels of sensitivity towards their New Year's card recipients' situations. Notably, 97.37% of parents in their 20s indicated that they carefully consider the recipient's marital status when choosing card designs, aiming to prevent any feelings of inadequacy among friends and peers.

Positive Reception of Family Photos

Despite the trends, 96.51% of recipients indicated a positive reaction towards receiving family photo cards. Interestingly, most agree that family photos should convey candid moments, reflecting genuine family dynamics rather than staged displays of happiness.

Conclusion

fotowa's survey results reveal a nuanced picture of how cultural practices are evolving among young parents. As they strive to forge connections while being considerate of others' feelings, it is clear that the tradition of sending New Year's cards is adapting to reflect contemporary values. Families are seeking to balance personal expression with sensitivity, reshaping how they share their experiences with friends. This year's findings suggest a move towards more personalized and meaningful greetings that resonate emotionally without crossing boundaries.

To families looking to create memorable New Year's cards, fotowa's services offer an opportunity to capture genuine moments that are relatable and heartfelt—showcasing authenticity in a world increasingly dominated by social media.