SOME people will see a red envelope drop on their doormat, while others will hear the "beep beep" of their mobile phone.
While traditionalists have vowed to send out Christmas cards this year, others say they will favour a round-robin "Happy Christmas" text.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the first text message.
Marking the occasion, a survey by SecurEnvoy has shown 53 per cent of people would rather text or instant message their friends than pick up the phone or meet them in person.
The Mail took to the streets of Hull this weekend to ask our readers if they would prefer to send a Christmas card or text to loved ones.
Liz Harros, 41, of east Hull, says she is a traditionalist when it comes to the festive season, while her daughter Emily, 13, will be texting her friends.
Liz said: "I will send Christmas cards out to the people who are away.
"If it is someone I see in person, I would rather speak to them.
"I think more people are sending text messages rather than picking up the phone these days because it saves time."
Emily said: "I always send text messages rather than cards – it's quicker."
The SecurEnvoy survey of 1,000 people found women, who have traditionally had a reputation for spending hours chatting on the phone to friends, are the worst offenders for texting rather than calling.
Almost six in ten women admit they prefer to text or instant message their friends, compared with less than half of men.
Men, on the other hand, show they are more sociable, with one in four saying they would pick up the phone to their mates.
Richard Oberg, 37, of Beverley, says he would rather send Christmas cards than texts.
The NHS worker said: "In my workplace we like to send donations to charity rather than Christmas cards to each other.
"I would always rather call than text.
"I don't text very often – I don't have a smartphone and it often takes me a long time to text.
"I'm sometimes in the middle of texting and then just decide to call instead."
East Hull resident Sarah Barrett, 39, says Christmas cards are more personal.
She said: "Christmas cards are definitely more personal – it is tradition.
"I do text more than I call though, which is why I make the effort to send cards at Christmas."
According to the survey, if you live in the Yorkshire and Humber region, you are more likely than anywhere else in the UK to prefer to meet your friends in person than send a text, with one in four claiming they do so.
Andy Kemshall, of SecurEnvoy, said: "This year marks the 20th anniversary of the first text message and it is amazing how fundamental the technology has become in our lives.
"This survey shows just how texts and instant messages are changing how people interact – if we believe the results, perhaps everyone will be sitting at home on New Year's Eve just messaging their friends rather than being out celebrating with them."
