UNhappy birthday: Half of middle-age Britons no longer celebrate getting older
HALF of middle-aged Britons no longer celebrate their birthdays as they find growing old depressing, a new survey has revealed.
Only one in 10 over 55s receive a birthday cake
The research also revealed that just one in 10 over-55s receive a birthday cake, compared with 36 per cent of 16-24 year olds.
While younger UK ‘Millennials’, aged in their 20s or 30s, expect to be spoilt with around £70 of presents, many older Britons in their 40s and 50s do not bother to celebrate at all.
The study, by One4all, the Post Office gift card, found 55 per cent of middle-aged Brits find it too depressing being reminded they are getting older.
Instead if they do celebrate their birthday, they only expect to get around £22-worth of gifts, the one-poll survey of 2,080 UK adults found.
While a third of 16-24 year olds even admitted they love their birthdays so much they would even fall pout with a friend if they forgot their big day.
Aoife Davey, marketing manager at One4all Gift Cards, said: “It’s a real shame that birthday traditions are dying out as we age.
People in their 20s expect £70 worth of presents
It’s clear that generationally, we’re making less effort to celebrate special birthdays
“It’s clear that generationally, we’re making less effort to celebrate special birthdays when we turn 55.
“It’s also sad to see that as we grow older, birthdays become less of an occasion to celebrate with friends and family but we also expect less in terms of gifts.”
Mr Davey said it is a real shame that birthday traditions are dying out
Middle aged Brits expect just £22 worth of gifts
Davey added: “Birthdays are not only the perfect opportunity to celebrate our own lives, successes and achievements but also, to ensure loved ones around us feel special and cared for.
“Simple tokens such as birthday cards, gifts or cake is a great way of doing this.
“Especially for those who are older and are less likely to make birthday arrangements for themselves.”