how will the French wish the New Year?

On the evening of Sunday, December 31, you may receive a Happy New Year text message. The telephone rather than the greeting card, is this still as obvious for 2024? “Cards are a nice tradition, but personally, I don’t [les] use more”, admits a woman. 13% fewer SMS messages have been sent since 2019. Practices are changing. In the 2000s, we sent personalized emails.

The eternal postcard

But the oldest way to send wishes remains the postcard. It experienced its golden age at the beginning of the 20th century. Years later, for some there is no question of making the tradition disappear. In a stationery store, a 90-year-old retiree buys them every year. “It’s the bond first, and to wish wishes to those you love. [Les textos] It’s impersonal, it’s not my age.”, she confides. To appeal to the youngest, the postcard is trying to modernize itself.