Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/437144
25 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 DECEMBER 2014 MaltaToday Survey Do you have more or less money to spend on gifts than last year? 14.3% 52.2% 33.5% The same More Less 16% 18.1% 12% 17.6% 24% 27.3% 35.3% 35.3% 60% 54.6% 52.7% 47.1% Tertiary (Uni) Post- Secondary Secondary Primary SMS (29.3%) Skype (1.4%) Email (4.6) Telephone (11.6%) Facebook 25.1% Card 39,3% How do you send festive greetings to people you do not see regularly? 34% have less cash for gifts, but energy rates bring back the Christmas lights 34% of respondents have less disposable income to spend on gifts than last year while only 14% have more money to spend on gifts than last year. The absolute major- ity (52%) say they have the same money as last year to spend on gifts. The survey shows that re- spondents with a universi- ty education, who are more likely to have a higher in- come, are the most likely to say that they have the same money to spend as last year while those with a primary level of education, who tend to be pensioners, are the most likely to say that they have less money to spend than last year. The survey suggests that the reduction of utility bills has not resulted in any sub- stantial increase in spend- ing power at Christmas as only 14% say that they have more money to spend. On the other hand a larg- er segment claim that they have even less money to spend than last year, which suggests that lower income earners are having an even harder time than last year. But the reduction in bills seems to have contributed to an increase in Christmas lights. In fact since 2010 the percentage of respondents who decorate their win- dowsills or home facade with Christmas lights has increased by 10 points. But despite the reduction in bills the percentage of respondents who decorate their home's façade with Christmas lights remains three points lower than in 2007. When asked how they send their greetings to people whom they do not see on a regular basis, a relative majority (39%) said they do so by post. 29% said they send their greetings by sms followed by 25% who send their greetings through facebook. But the survey reveals a gen- erational digital divide be- tween 18- to 34-year-olds and those aged over 55 years. While 39% of those aged un- der 34 send greetings through facebook, only 7% of over-55- year-olds do so. Among those aged between 35 and 54 years of age sms is the most popular way of send- ing season's greetings. Among this category 46% send their greetings by sms, 42% send their greetings by card and 31% send greetings through facebook. Over 55 year olds are the most likely to send greetings by telephone. Facebook most popular way to send greetings among those aged under 35