Birthdays are a chance to gather loved ones, be the centre of attention, and toast another trip around the sun. Not to mention cake – there absolutely must be cake, and lots of it. And yet, the way we celebrate birthdays is constantly evolving.
Back in the day, a birthday celebration was all about eating sausage rolls down the local rugby club and listening to the DJ’s questionable taste in music. Fast forward to today and festivities range from intimate “just us” afternoons to all-night extravaganzas. For some, a low-key brunch with close friends feels perfectly celebratory, whilst others seek the thrill of milestone parties, destination weekends or even skydiving to mark another year.
It’s true that birthdays can also carry a bittersweet edge. Though they remind us of life’s joys, they also prompt reflection. Are we where we hoped to be at this age? Would our inner child be proud of us? Is 40 really the new 30?
To understand how modern Brits are marking their special day, thortful commissioned a survey of 1,000 UK adults. From types of events to expected minimum spends, our Birthday Celebrations Report uncovers the rituals that make turning a year older uniquely personal.
How people like to celebrate their birthdays
It turns out that a low-key event with family is by far the most popular option for birthdays, with 39% choosing it over any other kind of celebration. A further 25% enjoy an evening meal out, although how low-key this might be is entirely dependent on how much prosecco is imbibed.
Other classic approaches to birthday celebrations are lunch out (17% people chose this option), a shopping day (11%), a pub night out (10%) and a day trip (10%). So, it’s clear to see that leaving the comfort of your sofa for a birthday celebration is still pretty popular with Brits.
However, 10% said that they’ve started celebrating their birthdays on their own, and another 10% don’t celebrate their birthdays at all. At the other end of the scale, there are those who make their birthday celebrations last up to a week (9%) and others who celebrate a half-birthday, which is six months before the actual event (5%).
There are a few differences when it comes to demographics. For instance, 10% of women treat themselves to a holiday to celebrate, compared to just 5% of men. When it comes to people aged between 25 and 34, solo birthdays are being tried out by 20% of them, whereas 19% like their celebrations to last for as long as a week.
Mancunians are well-known for their energy, so it might not be surprising that 23% of them like a week-long party and 10% celebrate half-birthdays, too. Meanwhile, over in Sheffield, 15% like to celebrate solo and 12% prefer a dedicated birthday event.
What Brits expect for their birthdays
They say it’s the thought that counts, which is certainly true, but come on – everyone loves being spoiled! At the very least, 45% of Brits expect birthday cards from their family each year and 28% expect cards from friends. So, if you know someone whose birthday is coming up, make sure to check out our wide range of birthday cards before it’s too late. You could even get them a birthday card from the dog!
Quite a few people also expect gifts as well, with 31% saying they should receive them from family and 12% wanting them from friends. However, 27% don’t expect anything from friends or family on their birthday (or at least that’s what they claimed when asked).
The figures change a little when we dive into the demographics, as 33% of women expect family to buy them a gift each year, compared to 29% of men. Cards are much more a necessity, as 87% of women expect them from family and friends each year, compared to 60% of men.
Whilst 59% of people aged 25 to 34 expect gifts on their birthday, only 40% of people aged 55 to 64 don’t expect anything at all, not even a card.
The city that most enjoys a good old knees-up is Glasgow, as 8% of Glaswegians expect a surprise party, the highest out of all cities. Some other interesting patterns are 64% of Mancunians expecting gifts, 20% of people from Belfast only wanting a card on a milestone birthday, and 15% of people in Sheffield expecting at least £10 spent on them each year. ‘Ow much?!
How people in the UK feel about their birthdays
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: how do people in the UK really feel about turning another year older?
Granted, 30% are indifferent, 16% get worried about their age each year, and 13% hate the attention. Still, 26% love the day of celebration and 8% actually plan it months in advance.
It’s important to take note that 5% feel upset on their birthday and 3% feel overwhelmed. If you have a family member or friend who experiences either of these, make sure to give them a great big hug when the day arrives.
Also, it turns out that more women worry about their age each year (20%) compared to men (11%), but around the same amount (25% women and 27% men) love the day of celebration. Whilst it may not come as a surprise that people who are 65+ are the most worried about their age each year (21%), people aged just 18 to 24 are very close behind (18%).
And of course, the true divas when it comes to birthdays are people aged 25 to 34, as 16% of them like to plan their celebrations months in advance. Weekend in Magaluf, anyone?
(If at this point you’ve just realised you missed someone’s birthday, don’t worry, there’s a belated card for that.)
A few tips for enjoying birthdays
From a big bash to a quiet day in, the secret to a great birthday is honouring what truly makes you happy. So, whether you’re planning a celebration for yourself or a loved one, remember that there’s no rulebook and you should celebrate in whatever way feels right.
When it comes to the perfect present, from fizz and flowers to biscuits and beer, we have a wide range of birthday gifts to choose from. And if you really want to make them smile, check out our personalised birthday cards and get creative!
For more inspiration, make sure to read our blogs on 21st birthday ideas, how to celebrate a birthday at work, and how to make your birthday special for yourself.
