Record number of parties to take place in September, figures reveal

According to a survey of 1,000 UK adults published by the One4all Digital Gift Card, Brits are more likely to defer their birthday celebrations to when covid-19 restrictions have been fully eased.

Forty two per cent of people intend to defer their birthday celebrations this year until social restrictions have been fully removed, allowing for a proper celebration that is not restricted by Government guidelines – which currently state Brits can only meet with one other household indoors or in groups of six outdoors.

Just 38 per cent say they intend to celebrate their birthday regardless.

With confirmation from the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, on social distancing measures and how these are “likely to be in place until the end of the year”, this could see a flurry of delayed parties, celebrations and gatherings marking birthdays and other celebrations later this year.

This could see a particular boom in parties in September, which is already the month of the year with the highest number of birthdays.

At present, Brits are limited to gathering in groups of no more than six outside or one household indoors, and are not able to hug or even stand any closer than 1 metre apart – something which is clearly putting a dampener on the idea of birthday celebrations.

That hasn’t, however, stopped loved ones from sending an outpouring of love for those with covid-19 birthdays.

Almost 1 in 5 (18 per cent) say they have made more effort to mark people’s birthdays if they have fallen while social distancing measures have been in place.

47 per cent of those who have had birthdays so far this year have received phone calls from family and friends, while 1 in 3 (33 per cent) - have received gifts.

Nearly 1 in 3 (30 per cent) have received video calls from friends and family.

But sadly more than 1 in 10 (13 per cent) said their loved ones have not done anything to mark the occasion. This is especially heart-breaking when it is considered that more than 1 in 2 (55 per cent) say this is the most important part of celebrating their birthday.

Aoife Davey, group marketing director at One4all Gift Cards, said: “Even if a loved one is deferring their birthday party until later this year, everyone deserves to be made to feel special on their birthday.

"We’d urge people to do whatever they are able to make sure their loved ones feel special – whether it’s sending a gift, having a very small, unofficial birthday gathering adhering to Government guidelines or even just taking the time to give them a call via phone or video.

“Birthdays are such a special family occasion for so many, I can totally see why some are seeking to defer them until they can have however many people they want there and enjoy a birthday hug. But what’s truly astonishing is the scale of it – so many are holding out for a birthday celebration on their terms, and who can blame them?”

Many say they have a greater appreciation of quality time with friends and family since social distancing came into effect - more than 1 in 3 (36 per cent) say that they value this the most.

The top six ways people have celebrated birthdays while social distancing has been place:

Phone calls with family/friends – 47 per cent

Received physical gifts – 33 per cent

Video call/s with family/friends – 30 per cent

My loved ones didn’t celebrate my birthday at all – 13 per cent

Friends/family/neighbours turned up on my doorstep to wish me happy birthday – 12 per cent

I received virtual gifts (e.g. gift codes / digital gift cards) – 11 per cent