In the UK, it seems like there’s an occasion to celebrate just about every other day. From Valentine’s Day kicking things off to the New Year’s fireworks wrapping things up, the calendar is filled to the brim. And let’s not forget the birthdays, engagements, and weddings that pop up in between.
Each event comes with its own traditions too—the decorations, the gifts, and of course the thoughtfully chosen cards. But which of these occasions gets the most love from Brits? And are some cities more into celebrating than others?
Here at thortful, we’ve analysed card sales data to uncover the nation’s most celebrated occasions. Breaking things down city-by-city, we’ll also dive into where the celebrating (and card giving) is at its peak. Do those in Stoke go all out for Father’s Day? And is Belfast a city full of lovebirds keen to celebrate Valentine’s? Let’s find out!
The UK’s most celebrated occasions
Birthdays are unsurprisingly the most popular occasion in the UK, making up a huge 52% of all card sales. With family and friends’ special days cropping up year-round—whether it’s a milestone birthday or just another trip around the sun—it can feel like you’re grabbing a birthday card nearly every month.
Coming in second place is Mother’s Day (10%), when many of us show appreciation by picking out a thoughtful Mother’s Day card (and perhaps a beautiful bouquet of flowers, if they’re lucky). Brits clearly love to celebrate love, with Valentine’s cards accounting for 10% of sales too!
Father’s Day cards account for 7% of sales, making it the fourth most popular occasion. While it isn’t as widely celebrated as Mother’s Day, the dads out there are still receiving plenty of love.
Rounding up our top five we have Christmas (6%), an occasion many of us look forward to celebrating. With cheery gatherings, delicious food, and the sending of Christmas cards, what’s not to love?
As well as big events, Brits enjoy marking various milestones, like new home and new baby celebrations (1%). Congratulations, get well, and new job occasions also made their way into our ranking (1%), as well as just because cards, showing we don’t always need a specific calendar event to send a greeting.
Finally, it seems Brits are a grateful bunch too, with thank you cards being just as popular (1%).
The most thoughtful UK cities
So, which cities are leading the way when it comes to sending cards for these special occasions? Let’s take a closer look at the hot spots!
When it comes to birthdays, Brighton takes the lead, claiming a whopping 57% of card sales. London follows closely behind (55%) then Bristol (54%). Birthday card sales are high across the country, with the lowest percentage sitting at 44% in Belfast.
For anniversaries, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Southampton, and Stoke top the ranking (7%). And when it comes to the Christmas season, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stoke seem to be spreading lots of festive cheer (9%).
As for Father’s Day, dads are getting especially spoilt in Middlesbrough and Stoke, with sales hitting 11%, higher than any other UK region. And how about the mums out there? Well, if you’re in a city like Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, or Cardiff, there’s a good chance you’ll get a card, with sales hitting 10%.
Lastly, in terms of romance, Belfast claims the top spot, with plenty of lovebirds sending a Valentine’s card through the post on February 14th (16%).
Top tips on celebrating
Before we wrap things up, we thought we’d leave you with a few final tips on how you can make sure every occasion, big or small, is one to remember:
1. Never forget an occasion with thortful’s reminder service
There’s nothing worse than a last-minute scramble to get everything sorted in time for an occasion. We’re talking rushing to the shop at 10pm, grabbing the last cake on the shelf, and hanging banners at midnight (we’ve all been there).
But this is where we swoop in to save the day. Just sign up for our reminder service, type in your important dates (like your best mate’s birthday and mum and dad’s anniversary) then we’ll send you a nudge ahead of time.
This handy feature means you can leisurely pick out the perfect card (and perhaps even a gift if you’re feeling generous) without the stress.
2. Choosing the perfect card
Speaking of cards, you’ll want to make sure you put plenty of thought into picking out the perfect design. It can be hard to know where to begin with so many options out there, but we’ve got you covered.
Start by thinking about the recipient’s personality. Would they prefer something tongue-in-cheek? Or is sentimental messaging more up their street? Once you’ve got the category nailed, it’s time to make it even more personal. Whether you pick a design featuring an inside joke or an illustration of their favourite place, choose something that’s unique to them.
The cherry on top? A heartfelt message jotted inside for a card they’ll treasure forever. If you’re stuck for words, our what to write guides are full of inspiration!
3. Planning the perfect event
Finally, why not go all out by planning an iconic party? Whether it’s a thoughtful surprise bash for a pal’s birthday, or an engagement do for the happy couple, a gathering is an ideal way to celebrate.
Start brainstorming food, drinks, themes, and decorations, then all that’s left to do is set a date and send out your invites!
So, there we have it: the UK’s most celebrated occasions as well as the most thoughtful locations. One thing’s for sure, Brits are keen to celebrate those they love at any given opportunity!
Looking to mark an upcoming occasion or celebrate someone you love? Luckily for you, we’ve got a huge selection of cards here at thortful. Our independent illustrators are a talented bunch, coming up with designs perfect for birthdays, weddings, new arrivals, and those just because moments. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in, have a look around, and make their day!
