THE tradition of handing down family heirlooms to the next generation is dying off, a new study has claimed.
The custom beloved by Brits is set to become extinct as research shows less than half of adults plan to pass on something they treasure.
A study of 2,000 people found 43 per cent don't think they have anything of true sentimental or monetary value to offer.
Reasons cited for this shift in behaviour were modern everyday items not having as much sentimental value and items being more "disposable" now.
According to the research by Whitley Neill Gin, 41 per cent of people would love to be able to pass something down to future generations or friends.
Over a third said their main motivation was to keep their family's heritage alive.
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In an ideal world where everyone had something to leave behind, 13 per cent would leave an item to a friend rather than family.
More than a third currently possess something of sentimental or monetary value that's been passed down to them.
Jewellery was ranked most received item, accounting for almost 61 per cent of the nation's heirlooms.
It was also listed as the item that most people believe is worth passing on, followed by books and household objects including glassware, dinner service and cutlery.
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But Johnny Neill, founder of Whitley Neill Gin, is hoping to reignite the age-old tradition of passing down heirlooms.
He plans on giving 15 winners a diamond in bottles of Distiller's Cut London Dry Gin, worth a collective £25,00, to start a new line of inheritance.
Johnny explained: "As a family brand, whose distilling knowledge has been passed down through eight generations, we value the importance of heritage and legacy.
"Which is why we want to help others have something lovely to pass on – in this case a diamond which can be embedded into a piece of jewellery, watch, or precious item.
"Jewellery is the item that most people would like to pass on to loved ones, and premium gin and diamonds are both renowned for their quality and cut, so when thinking about what we could offer, diamonds seemed like a fitting choice."
The research also revealed that 28 per cent of people would prefer to receive something of sentimental value, while 22 per cent of Brits would favour items of monetary value.
A third of women claimed they would prefer an item of sentimental value, while just 20 per cent would prefer something of monetary value.
By contrast, men were divided, with 24 per cent claiming to prefer an item of sentimental importance, while the same amount would prioritise financial gain.
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Sentimental items are also valued amongst younger generations, with over a third of 18- to 24-year-olds stating that they would prefer an item that meant something special.
However, some older generations said otherwise, with nearly a quarter of 55- to 64-year-olds stating they would prefer an item of monetary value, according to the OnePoll figures.
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