Celebrate Christmas on a small budget

Christmas is coming, and while it brings joy and warmth, it can also be hard on your wallet. You may find the answer to this annual economic squeeze at the Spirit of Christmas Fair in London. "Cosy feel" is the slogan for this year's Christmas decorations.

It might only be November, but it's never too early to start planning for Christmas, and one that comes during a recession.

A different trend for this year's decorations is made clear at the Spirit of Christmas Fair in London.

2009 is the year of mixing and matching, with all bright, vivid colors, and the old decorations with new accessories.

The aim is simple - saving money!

For instance, 12 pounds gets the wire frames and anything you want to design for your own Christmas wreaths. The dried fruit decorations also attract hordes of customers because of their good smell.

When it comes to sales, even in a recession the smell perks people up.

And, anything that reminds people of the good old times are a hit with shoppers.

And it seems the recession does not cripple sales. The average visitor will spend around 800 pounds at the fair. Visitors also believe that Christmas shopping helps light up the gloomy mood.

So all-in-all, color, smell, old things, anything to give a cosy feeling are popular during Christmas in a recession.