Many councils across the Costa Blanca made a decision to save electricity this Christmas . Alicante turned their Christmas lights on much later than usual and they turned them off each evening much earlier , also using energy saving bulbs, all of this has saved them 50 % of their normal Christmas electricity bill .The content of the displays have not been changed at all.
Other savings have been made in Javea and Ondara where it is possible that staff will not receive the usual Christmas hamper and they will receive a special voucher which can be exchanged in local stores .
Pego council staff had to pay 42 euros for the Christmas party which is an annual event , normally it is free .
Gata de Gorgos has lights in the side streets only , the N-332 has normal street lights only .
It is thought that in Spain generally people will spend 11 % less than usual , down to 800 euros per person .
The idea that the sale of lottery tickets is down has been disputed , some saying one thing and some saying the other .
