Brits blow a billion on birthday bashes
Brits blow a billion on birthday bashes
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Friday, 17, Mar 2006 01:20
Britons spend a fortune on evermore elaborate birthday celebrations, a new report has revealed.
According to research by financial services firm Mint, where once upon a time a cake and candles would have sufficed, today's generation of Britons will stop at nothing to ensure a memorable birthday, spending an estimated £1.6 billion in the process.
The researchers found that the average Briton spends £47.77 on their birthdays, with one in five of the 2,069 people questioned blowing more than £50 on a lavish bash.
However, this generosity does not extend to presents for other people, with Britons spending just £30.69 on birthday gifts for close friends and relatives.
Mint managing director, Jerry Toher, suggests that the extravagance of modern birthday celebrations is seeing people save in advance for the big day.
"In our survey, close to a third of people, (31 per cent) said they used their birthday as an excuse to celebrate and it’s clear they’re looking for something more than a cake and a few candles these days," Mr Toher said.
"But far from being extravagant in their spending, people are planning months rather than days in advance."
The study found that one in seven people plan their birthday party - and finances - at least a month in advance, while 23 per cent buy a new outfit especially for the occasion.
Londoners were the top birthday spenders, shelling out an average of £66.10 on their own festivities and also generously spending £34.39 on presents for others.
Those living in Wales, by contrast, were least inclined to splash out on their birthdays, spending just £32.70 on themselves and £24.83 on others.