Quick answer
In 2026, three COVID-era greeting habits remain common. First, hybrid cards. A printed card includes a QR code that opens a video or audio message. Second, thinking-of-you cards sent outside birthdays and holidays. Third, doorstep and mail-based greetings for events that once used video calls. Physical card sales stay strong. Digital formats add to print, not replace it.
What changed in 2020 and 2021
US greeting card sales rose during the pandemic. The Greeting Card Association reports about 6.5 billion cards sold in the US each year. Hallmark and American Greetings added hundreds of digital card options. Video calls spiked. Pew Research Center found 53% of US adults used video calls to connect with friends and family in April 2020. Drive-by birthday parades and porch drop-offs became common. Mask-themed cards and "6 feet apart" jokes appeared. Most pandemic-specific humor faded by 2023.
Trends that lasted to 2026
- QR codes on cards. A printed card links to a 30-second video. The format works for birthdays and anniversaries.
- Thinking-of-you cards. Everyday cards now make up about 60% of US card sales. Holidays make up the rest.
- Hybrid events. Weddings, funerals, and baby showers stream for remote guests. Guests send physical gifts and cards.
- Sympathy and health cards. Sales rose in 2020 and stay above 2019 levels.
Numbers for 2026
US greeting card retail sales total about $7 billion to $8 billion per year. The Greeting Card Association reports 6.5 billion units sold. Global market size estimates differ. Statista put the global greeting card market at $19.5 billion in 2021. Growth rates from 2022 to 2026 vary by source. No single 2026 figure is public yet.
How to choose in 2026
- For a friend in another country, use a hybrid card with a QR code. The card arrives by mail. The video arrives by phone.
- For a grandparent, send a paper card. Add a handwritten note. Skip the QR code if the person does not use a smartphone.
- For a coworker, send a digital card. Many offices still work remote. A digital card arrives in an email inbox.
- For a funeral or hospital stay, send a thinking-of-you card. Do not wait for a holiday.
Supply chains for paper and printing stabilized by 2023. In 2026, a standard card costs $3 to $6 at retail. Custom cards cost $5 to $12. Postage for a US first-class letter was 73 cents in 2024. Check current rates before mailing.