Italians spent 22.8 bn on Xmas, now recycling and re-gifting

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 26 - Italians spent some 22.8 billion euros on Christmas, some three billion or almost 15% more than last year, and now some 80% are recycling festive food while almost one in two will be re-gifting unwanted presents, consumer groups said Tuesday.
    Some 7.5 Italians didn't give any presents at all, Codacons said, more inspired by the Grinch than by Father Christmas.
    Median household spending was 884 euros against 770 euros last year, said the consumer group.
    Presents spending was up almost 20% at eight billion euros, travel cost 11.5 billion, 14% up, and dinners out cost 400 million, 14% up.
    "Christmas spending this year was more affected by the cost of living and price rises in many sectors than by a higher propensity towards consumption or an increase in income and wealth," said Codacons chief Carlo Rienzi.
    After the COVID pandemic, this year there was a further increase in large family sit-down meals whether at home or at the restaurant, he said. (ANSA).