Public to ignore recession with festive spending

IRISH shoppers will spend twice as much as their European counterparts on presents, food and socialising this Christmas despite the recession.

Households will fork out an average of €1,110 during the festive season – almost double the €600 that will be spent in Europe.

This is despite shoppers saying they will spend 30% less on gifts, 6% less on food and 22% less on socialising this Christmas, according to figures compiled by accountancy firm Deloitte.