Christmas is not a big deal in China. The Spring Festival is. It starts on Feb. 16th, the Chinese New Year. This year will be the Year of the Rabbit...................................
scmp.com
Monday December 21 1998
Festive hype but few sales in capital
STAFF REPORTER in Beijing
Christmas seems to have invaded Beijing.
Multi-coloured lights blink on trees outside stores and banks. Christmas cards are prominently displayed at department stores, while the Coca-Cola Santa beams from adverts all over town.
But for all its hype, the Christmas tradition of gift-giving does not seem to have caught on.
Shopkeepers who were hoping for an increase in business have been disappointed, with celebrations revolving around the exchanging of cards. Friends also use the holiday as an excuse to spend an evening out together.
A 23-year-old office manager, who started celebrating Christmas during university studies, looked at some Christmas sale items at a Watson's store.
He picked up one of the reindeer stockings, flipped it around a few times and put it back in the bin.
When asked if he was planning to celebrate Christmas this year, he said he would accompany friends to a hotel for dinner and a club for dancing if he had the time.
The doorman of a shopping centre decked with Christmas ornaments was dismissive.
"I have to work that day. I don't believe in it and it isn't my tradition," he said. "Why should I celebrate Christmas?"
He also noted that there hadn't been an increase in shoppers during the past few weeks. But he became enthusiastic when he started talking about the upcoming Spring Festival.
A vendor of Christmas decorations and gift items said: "Most of our clients are joint venture businesses.
"Few people buy these things for themselves. Our business isn't too good this year, but then again the economy is bad right now," he said.
"Sales will increase in late January and February when people start buying for the Spring Festival, but that won't happen until after the new year," a clothing store manager said.
Across the floor at the Christmas card stall, a saleswoman said sales had been good. She planned to send her friends cards this year, as she has done every year since ninth grade.
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