Italians will spend €4,7 billion on Christmas (€2,7 billion) and New Year's Eve (€2 billion) dinners, €100 million more than last year and representing 13,1% of the total Christmas pay, which will reach €36 billion, or over €800 million more than last year. But this increase in Christmas pay will not boost consumption. This is what emerges from a survey by the Confcooperative Research Center, which notes that "the Italy of resentment has been replaced by an Italy of fear and uncertainty, with less hope for the future given the rise in poverty and political instability." Therefore, a significant portion of the Christmas pay will be allocated to savings (€9,1 billion compared to €8,8 billion last year), while the number of Italians setting their tables under the banner of austerity is increasing. "A bitter toast for over 2 million families living in absolute poverty. It remains essential," Confcooperative notes, "to identify resources and measures to combat poverty. REI and Citizenship Income, albeit with different purposes, have not yet solved the problems." Savings are also being considered in the kitchen: among the under-40s, 3 in 10 Italians will buy in advance and freeze or buy online, saving 15-20% compared to spending on Christmas Eve. Nine in 10 Italians will spend Christmas at home, a figure in line with previous years, while on New Year's Eve, 5 in 10 Italians will wait at home until midnight. For toasts, Made in Italy sparkling wine and prosecco continue to be the preferred choice, with over 70 million bottles sold, a 10% increase over last year. For the Christmas menu, Made in Italy excellence is in pole position: clams and seafood for the first courses (110 million euros); Fish for main courses (€455 million); meat, cured meats, and eggs (€530 million); wines, sparkling wines, and proseccos (€440 million); fruit, vegetables, and greens (€410 million). Pasta, bread, flour, and oil (€225 million). A selection of fresh and aged Italian cheeses (€115 million) will also be available. The rich dessert selection, featuring panettone and pandoro, will round out the selection, along with a wide range of regional sweet specialties (€420 million).
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