Irish are EU’s big spenders at Xmas

IRISH shoppers are the spendthrifts of Europe when it comes to Christmas, according to a new survey.

The study found that families will spend an estimated 1.8b over the festive period - an average of €1,395 per household.

Despite the gloomy economic forecast and toughest budget in years, the Deloitte & Touche Consumer Business Group survey found the majority of Irish families will spend Christmas in style this year.