According to research carried out by UK supermarket chain Somerfield, us Brits are cutting our Christmas spending back by up to £200 as the recession starts to bite, costing the economy some £2.8bn.
"When it comes to making sacrifices, workplace Secret Santa gifts are the first to go with close to one in five (18 per cent) taking colleagues off the Christmas gift list. More than one in 10 (13 per cent) will be cutting out Christmas sweets and 12 per cent are even considering taking wine and beer off the list. However, some traditions are safe even from the recession – only three per cent would consider getting rid of the tree or the Christmas pud, and just two per cent would deprive the kids of presents...Taking on the mantra of the ‘make-do and mend generation’ two in five (40 per cent) have said they will make their own Christmas goodies this year, with 32 per cent baking their own cakes and puddings and 12 per cent making their own cards. A brave four per cent will even try their hand at making their own presents".
