Australians embrace AI to write heartfelt messages in greeting cards

New research has revealed that Australians are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence to craft personal messages in greeting cards, with a growing number seeking assistance for special occasions ranging from birthdays to milestones like baby showers and Valentine's Day.

Data from Moonpig Australia shows that more than one in twenty cards sold over the past 12 months included AI-generated content, produced via the company's Smart Text tool. The information points to a wider trend among consumers to use technology to express heartfelt sentiments, particularly when words do not come easily.

Online search behaviour supports these figures, with 1,900 monthly searches for "what to write in a birthday card" and a further 590 for "AI message generator" being recorded across the country. These numbers reflect a national openness to turning to technology for personal expression in traditionally emotional contexts.

Commenting on this shift, Mary Liu, International Director at Moonpig, said:

"We're seeing a cultural shift. People don't just want to say 'Happy Birthday', they want it to feel original and emotional. AI helps take the pressure off and adds meaning in a way that feels surprisingly personal."

The Smart Text tool utilises AI to generate tailored messages designed for key life events. Moonpig data indicates that 8.1% of baby shower cards, 6.8% of christening cards, and more than 4% of Valentine's Day cards sold in the past year incorporated messages generated by AI. Even less common occasions, such as new school milestones and saints' days, had AI usage rates exceeding 5%.

These findings suggest a consistent demand for message-writing support during moments when individuals wish to communicate care and thought, but may struggle to articulate their feelings. AI is being deployed to address these communication challenges for a wide array of events throughout the year.

Trends in digital assistance

The pattern of increased reliance on AI and web-based tools for message generation is mirrored in internet search statistics. In addition to high monthly search volumes for card message suggestions in Australia, global searches for "what to write in a birthday card" surpass 24,000 per month, while "AI message generator" approaches 13,000 per month internationally. These figures indicate widespread adoption of AI for message support across cultures.

Mary Liu added:

"Once considered impersonal, AI is now helping Australians connect more meaningfully, not by replacing emotion, but by enhancing it. For card-givers stuck on what to say, Smart Text is proving to be the modern ghostwriter of choice.

"And while the pen isn't gone, the keyboard, powered by AI, is rapidly taking its place in how we say the things that matter most".

Handwritten messages maintain a presence

Despite the surge in AI-written content, certain life events continue to favour handwritten messages. Moonpig data reveals that handwriting remains prevalent for high-sentiment occasions such as Confirmations (4.9%), Bon Voyage (3.9%), and Father's Day (3.7%). For these experiences, the act of handwriting a message continues to carry particular significance.

Rather than becoming rare, handwriting is transitioning into a deliberate choice reserved for circumstances where the act of writing, as well as the message itself, is viewed as especially meaningful.

Speed and convenience prioritised

The integration of AI in greeting card writing has not led to reduced expectations for fast service. In Sydney, 14.8% of customers opted for express card delivery, outpacing Perth and Melbourne, with 11.7% and 10.7% respectively. The combination of prompt delivery and meaningful, AI-assisted messaging is proving popular amongst Australian consumers.

Greeting cards endure in digital age

Current trends suggest that the tradition of sending greeting cards remains resilient. According to the Greeting Card Association, Australians post an average of 22 greeting cards per person per year. Globally, there is also evidence supporting the increased use of AI in this domain; a Zipdo study reports that over 30% of online greeting card platforms now offer AI message tools, with usage projected to grow 18% year-on-year.