When you think of celebrations, you might think of birthday parties, weddings or graduations. But a new VistaPrint survey* of over 2,000 Americans, from Gen Z to Baby Boomers, reveals that celebrations have changed a lot in the last 20 years. So turn up the music, get your fancy dress out and discover how people are partying today!
While birthdays and weddings are still at the top of the list, over the past 20 years Americans have found more and more reasons to celebrate, from pet birthdays to… divorce parties? Cheers!
Americans over the age of 40 ranked gender reveal parties (54%), Galentine’s Day (46%), divorce parties (39%) and pet birthdays (29%) as the top new celebrations that weren’t as popular (or didn’t exist!) in the early 2000s.
Pet birthdays are a trending event, with 36% of Americans saying social media is the reason behind their increased popularity. They cost an average of $229 across all generations, with Gen Z pampering their furry friends the most at $338.
Americans spend hundreds of dollars a year organizing and hosting celebrations, with weddings, birthdays and graduations being the most expensive. Millennials spend the most at $496, while Baby Boomers spend the least at $353.
Across all generations, personalized items like banners, invites and thank you cards are becoming staples for celebrations, reflecting a trend toward making each event feel special and unique.
16% of Americans have bought a personalized gift for a celebration, adding an extra layer of personality and uniqueness for that special someone.
Birthdays (54%), graduations (46%), weddings (40%) and anniversaries (30%) are the top celebrations one would recognize with a photo gift. But don’t forget our furry friends! 17% would also celebrate a pet’s birthday with a photo gift (just pawfect).
Personalized banners (35%), invites (32%) and thank you cards (28%) are the most purchased celebration add-ons.
Add a little personalization to your next event with our collection of gifts you can easily customize for loved ones and friends.
What’s behind the change in the way we celebrate, and why? Social media is seen as a major force driving the transformation of celebrations, influencing not just what people celebrate but also how they plan, showcase and spend on these events.
Although generations differ on what and how they celebrate, 59% of all generations agree that creating memories with loved ones is the most important aspect of a celebration.
Social media is listed as the second biggest reason celebrations have changed since the 2000s, after expenses, with engagement parties (53%), baby showers (51%), bachelor and bachelorette parties (45%) and anniversaries (43%) the most affected.
Of all the generations, Gen Z cares the most about finding the perfect gift for their friends and family, with 27% saying that buying a gift for someone “I care about” is the most important part of a celebration.
17% of Americans would recognize a pet’s birthday with a photo gift, and 16% said they’ve purchased a pet-themed gift for a celebration.
The younger generations are planning to party. 51% of Gen Z and 49% of Millennials say it’s a good idea to set aside a yearly budget for celebrating. Only 40% of Gen X and 32% of Baby Boomers agree.
Millennials are splurging more on personalized signage and printed materials than any other generation, with 38% having purchased a custom banner, 35% a personal invite and 31% a personal thank you card for a recent celebration.
The cost of gender reveal parties is ramping up, with the biggest spenders being Baby Boomers (aka the grandparents!) at $700, followed by Millennials (the parents) at $621.
*Survey conducted between September 3 and September 16, 2024, by research firm Walr Group, a data collection service powering agencies to create insights. Survey was quota-controlled by age, gender and region, and the results were subsequently weighted accordingly.
Now that you know how to celebrate in style, it’s time to make sure your next party is an event to remember. Whether you’re looking for banners, invites or a custom gift (or two!), explore our entire range today and make your celebration shine.
