The economic crisis has made a big dent in American Christmas budgets this year, according to a Harris Interactive poll carried out for FRANCE 24 and the International Herald Tribune.

Sixty-one percent of Americans polled said they expected to spend less over the holiday season than last year, while only 5% expect to spend more (28% say they will spend the same as last year). The story is similar in Europe, with overwhelmingly majorities saying they will spend the same or less - but not more - than last year. (Full results)

The poll also revealed that there is generally much less economic confidence now than there was two years ago, with the US leading in the gloom polls.

When asked in December 2006 how they felt about their personal situation, 81% of Americans felt optimistic. In the December 2008 poll, that figure has dropped to 54%.

Spaniards are even less hopeful, with only 41% feeling optimistic now, against 85% in 2006. Optimism also plummeted in the other European countries polled: France, Germany, Britain and Italy, according to the poll.

Big stories of the year: Obama and the crisis

When asked what they think have been the biggest news events of 2008, there was a consensus across the countries polled that two stories dominated the year's news: the global economic crisis and the election of Barack Obama in the United States. Respondents in the six countries named the Beijing Olympic Games as the third most important event of 2008.

Respondents in the UK and the US showed more concern about the war in Iraq than their European counterparts - not surprising given that the two English-speaking countries have troops there.

Europeans placed a much higher importance on China's crackdown in Tibet, with 32% of French respondents naming that issue as one of the top three stories of the year, compared with just 7% of Americans.

Finally, Europeans have high hopes for President-elect Obama, saying overwhelmingly that they expect his presidency to have a positive impact on the United States. Only 3-5% of Europeans gave a negative prediction.

For the full results of the poll, click here.