Digital Christmas greetings: video calls and social media are popular, AI is not

On Christmas Eve, 62 percent of Germans use social networks or messengers instead of analog postcards or letters to send their Christmas greetings. This is the result of a representative survey of 1,004 people aged 16 and over – commissioned by the digital association Bitkom. According to the survey, only the over-65s have a preference for printed Christmas cards, with only 37% choosing the digital option.

Video calls on Christmas Eve

In addition to text messages, video calls are becoming increasingly popular on Christmas Eve. According to the survey, more than half of respondents (58%) said they would use this option to talk to family or friends. "Text messages or video calls can bridge distances to loved ones, especially at Christmas time, and allow them to share in the festivities, even if they can't be there at the time," explains Sebastian Klöß, consumer technology expert at Bitkom.

Despite Germans' digital preferences, artificial intelligence (AI) still plays a minor role during the Christmas season. Only 3% of respondents use AI to create Christmas poems, videos or songs to play or send during the festivities.

Accessibility during the Christmas holidays

Just recently, another Bitkom survey revealed that around 50% of employees in Germany are also available to supervisors, colleagues and customers during their vacations. Five years ago, this figure was still 71%. The preferred communication channels vary: 48% respond to text messages, 45% to emails and 41% take phone calls. Video calls or conferences, on the other hand, are less popular, with only 15 percent being available for these. According to the survey, younger employees seem to pay more attention to their work-life balance: Only a third of 16 to 29-year-olds are reachable for work between Christmas and New Year. In the 30 to 49 age group, however, the figure is 58%.

(mack)