Donal Hickey: Have polar bears and kittens replaced robins on our Christmas cards?

Donkeys and reindeer seem to have dropped off many Christmas cards but sleepy dogs are still popular

It appears global warming is influencing public awareness and the polar bear is now the most often seen character on Christmas cards. Picture: Denis Scannell

One of our best-loved birds seems to have fallen down the pecking order when it comes to Christmas card design.

You may have noticed that robin redbreast images no longer appear as much on cards. According to the British greeting cards retailer, Clintons, Christmas card designs featuring robins have declined by about 30% in the last two decades.