Brits will try to make this Christmas Covid-free – by avoiding giving physical gifts

To try to reduce the likelihood of this happening this year, more than a third (34 percent) will limit contact with the wider public by doing all their festive shopping over the internet.

Around a fifth won’t give physical gifts in the hope this will minimise the spread – instead, they intend to transfer money or buy experiences.

Of those hosting this Christmas, 57 percent will only allow double-vaccinated guests to attend, and four in ten (39 percent) will ask guests to take a Covid-19 test before they arrive at their celebrations.

While these findings suggest the holidays will be a little different this year, the research commissioned by PayPal, as part of its Generosity and Giving 2021 study, found the pandemic has had another notable impact.

More than a third (34 percent) believe the pandemic has made them more generous with their time and money.

And according to behavioural psychologist, Dr Linda Papadopoulos, being generous boosts our wellbeing.

She said: “Humans are social beings – being generous with our time, money, or sharing resources, allows us to connect meaningfully with those around us.

“Research has shown that when we give, our brains release endorphins that lift our mood and make us feel good.

“As this is our first Christmas since the pandemic where we can celebrate together, there’s no better time to be generous – whether it’s donating our time and money to charity, buying gifts for family and friends, or acts of service and kindness in our communities.’’

In addition to making the nation more generous, the study found the pandemic has made them increasingly motivated to support various causes.

These specifically include animal welfare (22 percent), hospital and hospices (21 percent), homelessness, (21 percent) and mental healthcare (21 percent).

Each year, those polled donate £103.41 on average to causes dear to their heart – with December being the time they tend to be most generous when it comes to charitable donations.

Those living in Aberdeen give the most annually – £193.76 on average – followed by Edinburgh (£138.38) and Liverpool (£125.64).

It also emerged a quarter (24 percent) of those polled have raised money for causes using online platforms – on average having raised £959.76 in total to date.

Oxford residents have raised the most on average, raising £3,319.25 – more than three times the UK average.

The study, carried out through OnePoll, also identified what makes a generous person.

Taking time to talk to others (47 percent), regularly donating to charity (45 percent), and buying gifts for friends and family “just because” (41 percent) are the top signs of generosity.

Vincent Belloc, PayPal UK Managing Director, said: “We launched the Generosity Network and Generosity Network for charities to help make it easier for people to raise funds to help others and charities this Christmas and beyond.

“Through “Give At Checkout”, people can make micro donations of £1 when they do their Christmas shopping online with PayPal, by selecting their favourite charity in their PayPal account online or via our mobile app.”

To find out how you can give to a cause close to your heart this Christmas, visit here.