Independent Online Edition : Channel-hopping shoppers make the tills ring in France

Terry Kirby of The Independent Online Edition reports that businesses in northeast France and southern Belgium do quite well catering to British Christmas buyers. Towns compete for business by putting on special events, such as fairs and Christmas Markets.

And how's this for breaking from stereotypes - the Brits who talked to the reporter stressed how pleasant and welcoming the French were for the Christmas shoppers.

Joyeux Noel!