Gifts indeed are an important way of keeping love alive. But, a new survey has revealed that men are increasingly losing the art of wooing their better halves by forgetting to buy presents for them.

In fact, most women have not received a surprise gift from their partner for more than a year; and one woman in five has given up waiting for flowers, so buys her own, the survey in Britain has found.

The poll of 1,176 adults in relationships by Sheilas’ Wheels insurance company, found chivalry fading fastest among young men. One in 10 under 25 had passed off an unwanted gift as a present for their partner, the ‘Daily Express’ reported.

More than half of young women either paid or split the bill on a first date. And only three per cent actually forgot an anniversary compared with 10 per cent of men, the survey has revealed.

Jacky Brown of Sheilas’ Wheels said: “Gifts should be about the thought, not the price.”