One4all research reveals Irish publics attitudes to celebrating special occasions while social distancing
- Almost a quarter (23%) people in Ireland have had a birthday since lockdown began and 56% of those still celebrated despite the restrictions
- Celebrating with co-habitants (38%), receiving presents (23%) and a cake (15%) from loved ones are the most popular ways to celebrate birthdays now
- For our loved ones due to celebrate a birthday, gifting a present (34%), attending a ‘virtual’ party (27%) or visiting from a social distance are the most popular ways to celebrate
- Adults in Ireland have also missed out on other key events including a baptism, naming ceremony, communion or confirmation (18%), an anniversary (15%) and a wedding (13%)
- One4all launches the ‘Celebration Inspiration’ competition to reward those who have missed out on special occasions due to Covid-19
At the start of this year, most people would not have anticipated having to spend their birthdays at home. But that has now become a reality for at least a fifth of the Irish public (23%) who have had a birthday since the restrictions were first implemented and a likely prospect for a further 31% who will mark their birthday between now and the end of next month.
That’s according to new research of 2,105 people from One4all, Ireland’s leading gift card company, which has revealed how the public feel about celebrating key occasions, such as birthdays, amidst the current restrictions. Despite restrictions in place, over half (56%) still celebrated their own birthday and another two thirds (66%) have celebrated the birthday of a loved one since March, coming up with creative new ways to mark the occasions.
Celebration Inspiration
To celebrate the creativity that people across Ireland have been demonstrating when it comes to making a key occasion unforgettable, One4all has once again teamed up with social media star and creative personality James Kavanagh for a new competition. The competition, called Celebration Inspiration, will see three people, who can demonstrate how they have been creatively celebrating key occasions while social distancing, each win a €150 One4all Digital Gift Card.
The competition launched today, and James Kavanagh will be sharing his own creative celebrations on his social media in the coming days. To enter, visit one4all.ie/celebration-inspiration, fill out the competition form and submit a video file that demonstrates how you have creatively celebrated a key occasion of your own or of a loved one while at home. The competition closes at midnight on Friday 12th June and winners will be chosen at random.
It’s my party and I’ll Zoom if I want to
One4all survey respondents who have celebrated a special occasion since restrictions were introduced say the ways in which those occasions were celebrated have varied. The most popular ways to celebrate birthdays in the current circumstances are ringing in the occasion with the people they’re living with (38%), receiving presents (23%) or cutting a cake (15%) with their cohabitants. When it comes to celebrating the birthdays of our loved ones, the most common ways in which we celebrate are giving them a present (34%), attending their ‘virtual’ birthday party (27%) or visiting them from a safe social distance (16%).
Almost 3 in 10 (29%) respondents had alternative plans in place to celebrate their birthdays before restrictions were introduced. However, of those who still celebrated their birthdays in lockdown, 39% rated their celebrations at home as just as ‘good’ in comparison to their original plans. A further fifth (19%) felt their celebrations in lockdown were in fact ‘very good’ in comparison, perhaps indicative of the many fun and creative ways that people across Ireland are celebrating key occasions as restrictions continue.
Digitally near, socially far
Birthdays aside, there have been many other key occasions that those polled were planning to celebrate before restrictions were enforced, the most common ones being a baptism / naming ceremony / confirmation / communion (18%), an anniversary (15%) and a wedding (13%). When asked if they still planned to celebrate these occasions with restrictions still in place, 4 in 10 (41%) said yes so perhaps there will be even more displays of creativity yet to come online in the coming weeks.
Regardless of whether a celebration is held, three quarters (74%) intend to buy presents for loved ones who are due to have a birthday or celebrate another key occasion this summer. For those social distancing from their loved ones but looking for a present online, the One4all Digital Gift Card is the perfect, safe gift solution.
Perfect Gift, Digitally Delivered
The One4all Digital Gift Card is the first gift card of its kind which can be bought, sent and spent in 1000s of places in-store with a smartphone, or online with a smartphone, laptop or desktop. To ensure a personal touch, in-built customisation features allow you to add a video message, insert a favourite image and add your own text to the Digital Gift Card before delivering instantly, via text or email, to your loved one.
Just like the physical One4all Gift Card you know and love, the Digital Gift Card can be used with over 8,500 retail and online partners including Arnotts, Currys PC World, Boots, Mothercare McGuirks Golf, H&M and many more, giving your loved one the chance to wait for their favourite store to reopen or to shop online for a special treat.
Commenting on the research findings, Aoife Davey, Senior Marketing Director at One4all Ireland, said: ‘’Since Ireland went into lockdown, many have missed out on celebrating birthdays and other key occasions in the usual manner. But regardless, the celebrations should go on and important milestones marked, from a safe social distance.
“At One4all, we have been inspired by the creativity we’ve seen when it comes to celebrating birthdays in lockdown and want to help others who may be missing out on special occasions by launching our ‘Celebration Inspiration’ campaign with James Kavanagh. James will be sharing some of his own ‘Celebration Inspiration’ on Instagram and will be encouraging the public to enter our competition to win a €50 One4all Digital Gift Card for themselves.’’
The One4all Digital Gift Card can be spent in-store using contactless payment or online, like a standard Visa Debit Card. To purchase a One4all Digital Gift Card, simply visit one4alldigital.ie and follow the simple steps to purchase, customise and send a One4all Digital Gift Card in an instant.
