According to a story on the BBC website, quoting a market research company, "people are planning to spend 7% less on Christmas this year."
Am I the only human being on the planet not yet planning for Christmas aside?
And did the market researchers actually find people who were prepared to say, "Oh, I should think between six and eight per cent less."
"I'm am afraid I'll have to insist you give me a precise figure."
(Sainsbury shopper does some sums on the calculator section of her mobile phone.) "I make it 7.23%, taking into account the rising price of Brussel sprouts."
"Excellent. That will average out nicely with Mrs Batley down the road."
If I can be bothered, I will return to this subject in January, and try and find the actual figure. If it does turn out to be 7%, someone will have been cheating.
