A study of 2,000 people revealed the average British person hadn ’ t written any type of letter for at least 18 months and had not sent a postcard in two years . British people are losing their sentimental side with many admitting they have not sent a handwritten thank you note or post card or put together a physical photo album in years . The study of 2,000 people revealed the average person had n't written any type of letter for at least 18 months or sent a post card within the last two years . Experts found one in five had recently sold a family heirloom because they did n't have the space for it or because it was 'too old fashioned ' to place on display . Modern living appears to make us cherish items less , with a third admitting they are ruthless at throwing things out , while nearly half of those polled described their home as minimalist . The study found four in ten admit not being as sentimental as their parents and getting less so the older they get . Results showed the average person had n't hand-written a letter for 19 months , had n't sent a postcard in nearly two years or even hand-written a thank you for 20 months . Other sentimental acts are also fading - one in four has never made a CD for someone or made a home-made card , while a fifth never keeps things from their relationship as mementoes . Just a third actually bothers to keep physical photos now and a fifth instantly chucks out all the birthday and Christmas cards they receive . Hanging on to stuff proved a declining trend with people ridding themselves of any heirlooms or old possessions quickly- jewellery , furniture and clothing are the most common things passed down that people get rid of . The study of 2,000 people found four in ten Britons admit to not being as sentimental as their parents . The survey found 77 per cent feel people are obsessed with being online - and it 's making us less sentimental . Old crockery , clocks and bone china are also rarely cherished or able to be kept due to a lack of room or not fitting the look of the home . But minimal living can have its drawbacks - 47 per cent of those who had discarded an heirloom later regretted it , because they would not be able to pass it on to their children . 1 . Jewellery . 2 . Furniture . 3 . Clothing . 4 . Crockery . 5 . Clocks . 6 . Bone china . 7 . Art work . 8 . Souvenirs . 9 . Quilts and blankets . 10 . Dolls and toys . 11 . Accessories ( EG : Glasses , broach , watch ) 12 . Letters/ diaries . 13 . Christmas decorations . 14 . Recipe books and folders . 15 . Statues or monuments . 16 . Bible . 17 . Military relics . 18 . Jewellery box . 19 . Musical instrument . 20 . Wedding photographs . The biggest reason for losing our sentimental sides was because 'it 's all online now ' followed by the feeling we live in a 'throwaway culture ' But 68 per cent said they like receiving hand written letters in the post and a further six in ten admitted they get excited when they receive a gift in the mail . Mark Walters , managing director of Interparcel , said : 'In a fast-moving modern world it 's easy to forget to stop and appreciate certain things as fully as the generations before us did . 'Our homes are sleeker , our technology is increasingly compact and as a result the heirlooms or things that may have emotional value can seem out of place or ill-fitting . 'Results showed people are quicker to throw things out than perhaps they used to be and many do n't feel as sentimental about things as they did . 'Whether it 's sending a thoughtful gift , a handwritten note or a postcard , keeping that personal touch in day to day life is important . '
Study of 2,000 people suggests Britons have lost their sentimental side . Majority admitted they have not written any type of letter for 18 months . Also said they had not sent a postcard within the last two years . A further five in one admitted they had recently sold a family heirloom .