CASH-strapped families in the north have significantly cut back spending on their children's First Holy Communion, new figures show.
The average outlay in 2013 dipped by more than 20 per cent to £468 (down from £587 last year), according to research by Ulster Bank.
The survey sampled parents living in Northern Ireland with a child who made their First Holy Communion this year and their responses showed that the average £468 spend was broken as follows:
? child's outfit for the day - £128 ? outfits for other family members - £123 ? celebratory food and drink - £188 ? children's entertainment - £29.
Most (86 per cent) families said they had sufficient cash to pay for their child's First Holy Communion.
Fewer parents (2 per cent) took out a loan compared to last year (11 per cent), but of those who did, the average amount of money borrowed almost doubled from £331 to £600.
The survey revealed that children received an average of £291 for their First Holy Communion, a significant increase from £263 last year.
Of the £64 communion money each child has spent so far, the most popular items they bought are toys (43 per cent), clothes (31 per cent) and video games (17 per cent).
But almost a third (31 per cent) opted to save the money instead.
"A First Holy Communion usually presents children with an opportunity to save or spend a significant amount of money for the first time," Ulster Bank's head of retail banking Stephen Cruise said.
"Our research shows that communicants are saving 78 per cent of their money, which is excellent but is still less than last year when 86 per cent put the cash away.
"Receiving such a large sum of money is an opportunity to instil the importance of saving from an early age and to start to equip children with the skills to deal with financial decisions."