Save Xmas

The OFT is running a long-term consumer education campaign to help consumers decide how best to ensure they can afford to pay for Christmas.

Following the collapse of the Farepak hamper company last year, the OFT was asked by HM Treasury to carry out an awareness programme to help consumers understand their options when saving for Christmas.

The campaign launched on 1 June 2007 when celebrity Charlie Dimmock and 13 unlucky people who lost money when Farepak collapsed, spearheaded a day of television, radio and newspaper coverage to highlight the different options available to people. See the press release.

The campaign - called 'Save Xmas' - includes working with community groups and partners across the UK. The Save Xmas toolkit is available for organisations to use with consumers in their local areas.

After successfully piloting in Scotland the campaign was rolled out in the following areas:

North West - 28 September 2007
North East - 2 November 2007
Northern Ireland - 19 October 2007
Wales - 22 November 2007
Midlands - 12 December 2007.

See the paying for Christmas pages on the Consumer Direct site.

If you want more information about this work please contact Dilys Alam at dilys.alam@oft.gov.uk.

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