Time to go grovelling to mother – as Brits are more likely to forget their Mum’s birthday than anyone else’s, research has found.
Half of all adults regularly forget birthdays, anniversaries and important events with mums least likely to receive a card or present on time.
A sibling’s, Dad’s and grandparent’s big day are among the others we often forget.
But special occasions aren’t the only thing Brits forget, with the average adult misplacing their wallet up to four times and their house keys twice a year.
A date’s name, a meeting or appointment and even your own wedding anniversary are also among the things we often forget.
It also emerged almost half of Brits admit they often leave things to the last minute, buying cards the day before a special event or turning up to flights, train or bus journeys with just minutes to spare.
A spokesman for Moonpig.com, which commissioned the study to mark the new 7pm cut-off time for same day post said: “We’re leading increasingly busy lives, so it’s inevitable some things will be left until the last minute or even forgotten about altogether.
“But it’s a shame to see it’s mum who is bearing the brunt of our lack of organisation.
“Forward planning is the key to remembering things and not leaving them until the last minute, but for some, that’s easier said than done.
“There is nothing more frustrating than remembering something like a birthday or special event at the last minute and facing a mad rush to try and salvage the situation before it’s too late – especially when it’s mum who faces being left with nothing.”
The study of 2,000 adults found 73 per cent consider themselves to be a forgetful person, with the average Brit forgetting at least one important thing every week.
Forgetting to take your mobile phone out with you is the most common slip-up followed by charging your phone when the battery is getting low, replying to emails, taking a tablet or medicine when you need to and picking up your house keys before you shut the front door.
Where you put your wallet, texting a friend back, a meeting, a doctor’s appointment and forgetting where you parked your car completed the top ten.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, three in ten have forgotten the latter, spending an average of 10 minutes trying to find or remember where it is.
Kids’ packed lunches, taxing or insuring your car and checking in online before a flight are also among the things Brits often forget.
But it doesn’t always end well, with 58 per cent landing themselves in a sticky situation after forgetting something important.
And more than a quarter have been left in trouble at work after neglecting something, while another 44 per cent admit their poor memory has put them in hot water at home.
Thirty-eight per cent even said they have got into arguments with their other half because one of them has forgotten something.
And one in five Brits has resorted to avoiding seeing a loved one altogether after forgetting their birthday and having no card or present to give them.
A spokesman for Moonpig.com added: “We know that people lead busy lives, and it’s not always easy to remember everything that you are juggling, so we develop our products and service to help our customers to never forget a birthday or an occasion ever again.
“Many people use our calendar reminder service, and we’ve recently extended the time until which you can order a card to get it in the post that same day – it’s proving very popular and we’re pleased that Moonpig can beat the last post.
“Looking at the things people tend to forget, I can understand why.”
Top 30 things we forget
1. To take your mobile phone with you
2. To charge your phone
3. To reply to an email
4. To take a tablet
5. House keys
6. Where you put your wallet
7. To text back a friend
8. Where you parked your car
9. A meeting
10. A doctor’s appointment
11. A dentist appointment
12. Car keys
13. A hospital appointment
14. My anniversary
15. Mum’s birthday
16. Sibling’s birthday
17. Dad’s birthday
18. A date’s name
19. To tax your car
20. Money for a school trip
21. Grandparent’s birthday
22. Child’s packed lunch
23. Partner’s birthday
24. Mother-in-law’s birthday
25. Money for a school project
26. A vet appointment
27. Tickets to an event or gig
28. Child’s birthday
29. To insure your car
30. To check-in online before a flight
