December 22 (BTA) - Close to 45 per cent of Bulgarians, which makes about 2.5 million people, are not in the mood for partying and say the holiday season this year is not the same due to the pandemic, according to a Trend poll. The poll was taken through in-person interviews among 1,009 respondents aged over 18 on a commission from 24 Chassa daily. Some 74 per cent say that the holidays won't be the same as before due to the coronavirus. Only one in five disagree with that statement.

Some 62 per cent will still be buying gifts, which is not much less than the 69 per cent in 2019 and 70 per cent in 2018. About 28 per cent won't be buying gifts and the majority of this group are older respondents.

The pandemic has changed the plans for the holidays of 23 per cent of respondents. For 57 per cent there was no change, while 17 per cent have no plans.

As much as 59 per cent, the vast majority of 73 per cent of them aged over 60, will avoid meeting friends and relatives during the upcoming holidays. Some 32 per cent, most of who young people, don't plan to avoid face-to-face meetings.

Close to half of respondents don't have the money to celebrate as they did before the pandemic, while 45 per cent say this does not apply to them. RI/LN

/DT/