Electronic Greetings Day

Celebrated on 11/29/2026

Quick Fact

Electronic Greetings Day, celebrated on January 15th, was created to encourage people to send digital greeting cards to friends and family. The holiday was inspired by the rise of e-cards in the late 1990s, which became popular as a free and eco-friendly alternative to paper cards. On this day, millions of e-cards are exchanged worldwide, often featuring animations and personalized messages.

Origins and Establishment of Electronic Greetings Day

Electronic Greetings Day was established in 2001 by the Greeting Card Association (GCA) to promote the use of digital greeting cards. The holiday falls on January 15th, which is also the birthday of the first known e-card service, "The Electronic Greeting Card Company," founded in 1994. The GCA aimed to highlight the convenience and environmental benefits of sending electronic greetings, especially as internet usage was rapidly expanding.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Initially, e-cards were simple HTML pages with static images, but they evolved to include Flash animations, music, and interactive elements. Today, Electronic Greetings Day is celebrated by sharing e-cards via email, social media, and dedicated e-card platforms like American Greetings and Blue Mountain. Many companies offer free e-cards on this day, and people use the occasion to reconnect with distant friends and family. The holiday has also embraced mobile apps, allowing users to send personalized animated greetings directly from their smartphones.

Facts & General Observations

• Over 10 million e-cards are sent on Electronic Greetings Day each year, making it one of the busiest days for digital greeting card services.
• The first e-card was sent in 1994 by a team at the University of Illinois, featuring a simple "Happy Holidays" message.
• E-cards reduce paper waste by an estimated 50,000 tons annually compared to traditional paper cards.

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