PARIS, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Preparing for the imminent Christmas, fewer French people said they would constrict expense for the festival compared to the same period last year, according to a recent survey carried out by French pollster company Ipsos.

    Some 43 percent responders said "Yes for sure" when asked about whether they would spend "less than the average level" to prepare for the coming Christmas, up from 53 percent who gave a sure "yes" to the same question last year.

    The poll, conducted on Nov. 13-14, revealed that three percent people even planned to spend more than average, wishing to celebrate that the most difficult year has passed.

    According to the poll, gifts are on top of the spending list prioritized with families' budget as 45 percent said they would maintain expense on that, followed by 37 percent who chose decoration, 36 percent for outdoor entertainment and clothes, and 35 percent for vacation.

    Among 1,010 persons aged above 15, who were asked by telephone about what they wish to receive on the Christmas Day, 52 percent chose just a gift, while 48 percent hoped to receive some money, and another 16 percent only wanted money as gift.

    The French economy recovered to grow in the second quarter this year, marking a timid rebound from depression. In early November, French government had once again re-lifted outlook of economic growth to between 1.0 percent and 1.5 percent for 2010.