BETWEEN the boom in birthdays in September, Fresher’s Week, Halloween and Christmas, the social calendar towards the end of the year is usually jam-packed - but this year could be set to be even more so than usual.

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.

42% 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% 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%) say they have made more effort to mark people’s birthdays if they have fallen while social distancing measures have been in place.

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

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

But sadly more than 1 in 10 (13%) 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%) say this is the most important part of celebrating their birthday. 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%) 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%

Received physical gifts – 33%

Video call/s with family/friends – 30%

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

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

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