Irish plan to splash the cash at Christmas

IT CAN pilfer our pockets, raid our reserves and strip away our sovereignty but there’s no way the Irish are going to allow the economic crisis become the grinch that steals Christmas.

For despite reining in spending for a fourth consecutive year, households here will still splurge more on festive food, fun and presents than in any other country in Europe.

Average planned expenditure per household over the Christmas period is €943 — 40% more than the European average and almost four times the €260 our frugal neighbours in the Netherlands expect to spend.