THOSE who need an excuse to enjoy themselves this festive season now have a very good one: having fun has become cheaper, while day-to-day living expenses have rocketed.
The "cost of fun" has fallen over the past decade, while the cost of living has soared almost a third, according to new figures.
Egg's "retail therapy index" - which measures a basket of goods and services reflecting the nation's lifestyle - says the price of fun items, such as leisure and entertainment goods, has fallen by 0.
6 per cent in the past ten years. At the same time, average UK prices have increased by 30.2 per cent, based on the retail price index.
Some items have seen startling price drops. The cost of audio-visual equipment, such as iPods, TVs and sound systems, has tumbled 10.9 per cent in the past 12 months.
The price of toys, photographic and sports goods has dropped 4.2 per cent as supermarkets take on independent retailers, while electrical appliances now cost 2.2 per cent less than they did a year ago, due to online price comparison sites.
The average price of top-ten chart CDs has fallen 23.4 per cent.
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