One of our favorite things in December is sending and receiving Christmas cards. Not digital ones, but real ones, with stamps, pretty or festive designs – maybe even with glittery snow – and perhaps a newsletter or photo enclosed as well. Christmas cards became the way we kept in touch with friends we made in the military, giving us the chance to continue friendships despite military transfers. We still have quite a few on our list and love seeing the handwriting and reading the messages.

This tiny wooden post box (or mailbox) ornament is another German Christmas Market find. Though that is where we came across it, this is not a German post box. It is a Danish post box. The particular shade of red is from the Coat of Arms of the House of Oldenburg, a line which includes the royal family. This red color was also used for the postmen, making them easily identifiable and also conveying their authority. The crown indicates ties to the monarchy, giving the message that this is an official post box. The horn is emblematic of the official postal service. These elements have been standardized on the boxes since the 1860’s. At one time, these boxes could be found all over the city of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. It was hard to find a street that didn’t have at least one. They were also conveniently placed in smaller cities and towns, and were used often. Alas, the red post box is being phased out. Physical letters, cards, etc. have declined about 90% since 2000, with many boxes being little used. Soon the post box will be a relic found mostly in museums. This is a bit sad for many residents of Denmark, and for Layden too. When he was living in Denmark in the late 70’s there was no email, no facetime or Messenger, no texts, and overseas phone calls quite expensive. Sending a letter was economical – in 1977 the cost of a first class US stamp was 13 cents, and an international stamp was 25 cents for the first ounce, going up a few cents as weigh increased. Rates were similar in Denmark, and Layden relied on those red post boxes to keep him connected to family and friends in the USA.

Denmark is not the only country facing the decline of physical mail – most countries are seeing the shift to fast, cheaper digital communication. Mail is no longer the cheapest way to communicate. A regular US stamp in 2025 is 78 cents, and overseas mail starts at $1.70 an ounce. Despite this, we are doing our part to keep the tradition going – long live Christmas mail!