Although email may have surpassed paper correspondence as the preferred method of personal communication overall, handwritten, personalized cards and letters remain the most popular way to send and receive Valentine's Day greetings, according to a survey commissioned by Pitney Bowes.

Of the respondents in the Pitney Bowes Valentine's Survey who said they'd rather send a valentine than deliver it in person, 82 percent prefer to send their Valentine's Day greetings by mail, as opposed to 18 percent who use email. When asked how they would like to receive greetings, 86 percent said they prefer mail versus 14 percent who said an email would suffice.

The survey also shows that most people purchase their cards one week prior to Valentine's Day (60%), as opposed to the day before (15%) or the day of (5%). One reason for this may be to ensure sufficient time for mailing and delivery.

"For many consumers, a Valentine's Day card is one of the most personal, important pieces of mail they will send or receive all year," said Bruce P. Nolop, Pitney Bowes executive vice president and chief financial officer. "Most consumers view mail as a much more personal, intimate form of communication than email. In fact, our survey results reinforce the fact that mail will continue to be the preferred mode of communication when someone needs to get the right message to the right person."

While 76 percent of females sign their cards using the word "love," males were quite different. Only 58 percent of men surveyed admitted to signing with the word "love," followed by 18 percent who use their name only; ten percent use X's and O's; six percent use the word "sincerely"; and two percent sign "your friend." 

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