Italians spent average of 124 euros

(ANSA) - Rome, December 27 - Italian households spent an average of 124 euros on Christmas gifts this year, just 0.3% to 0.4% higher than last year, with total spending of about 3.1 billion euros, according to a report by consumer group Federconsumatori released Tuesday. It said spending was lower in the South than in the North due to unemployment and fewer holiday bonuses issued by small and medium-sized businesses there.