Research from Asda has revealed that, even though there is still more than a quarter of the year to go before the event itself, more than half of shoppers have already begun buying Christmas presents.

 

Three quarters said the early start to the shopping was an attempt to spread the cost of the festive season. The survey also revealed that a third of shoppers are planning to spend considerably less than last year, with 80 per cent of people saying they hope to spend up to £250 less this year.

 

The average spend on Christmas presents in 2008 was £320 per person.

 

Alex Blyth