Beat the crunch this Christmas: Eat peanuts, drink beer

The Finextra news desk is groaning under the weight of Christmas-themed press releases, as companies desperately try to generate some extra seasonal income during the economic crisis.

One of the more bizarre examples to hit the newswires this week was an urgent dispatch from the American Peanut Council, which advises cash-strapped consumers to beat the credit crunch this Christmas with high quality American Peanuts.

"As the economic downturn bites and food costs continue to rise, it's reassuring to know that there is no need to compromise the festive spirit on quality, taste, convenience or health. While cautious consumers purposefully seek out good value holiday nibbles, peanuts - recently overshadowed by more exotic, expensive alternatives - are set to make a comeback as a natural, tasty, energy powerhouse snack," says the breathless press release.

They've also set up a Website offering peanut factoids, Christmas menu ideas and - I kid you not - "edible gift recipes".

And if you're in the market for a cheap tipple to wash down your snacks and drown your sorrows, you might want to try the recession-themed Bailout Bitter from the Howe Sound microbrewery in British Columbia. Calling it "bitter ale for bitter times," the brewery says the new beer will cost less than its other brands.