Spaniards to spend 832 euros per head over festive season

Spaniards will spend an average of 832 euros each this season, four per cent more than last year, according to a report by the Federation of housewives and consumer organisations. Not even the conviction expressed by most people consulted in a survey that the festive season will be dearer because of the euro is enough to make people tighten up their purse strings. This is particularly true when it comes to food, as expenditure will go up by eight per cent to 200 euros per head. More money will be spent on entertainment and on the lottery (112 euros per head) although this is due mainly to a ten per cent increase in the price of tickets. But, there will be a slight drop in the amount of money spent on gifts and toys - 72 euros on the former, 90 on the latter. And more people will be staying at home for the season as travel bookings have gone down.