A woman visits a love theme exhibition at Haier World Home Appliance Museum on Qixi festival, or Chinese Valentine's Day, in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on Aug. 7, 2019. (Photo: Xinhua)
When Xu Tingting was ready to go to work, she received a message from Huang Ye, noticing that she has a parcel to be signed.
“Recently, there have been a lot of parcels. I sent more than 300 items last week, most of which were gifts for Qixi Festival.” Huang Ye, a courier in Chongqing, noticed that cosmetics, sneakers, and clothes were more than previous Qixi Festivals, the Chinese Valentine’s Day, and the flowers and chocolates were fewer.
When Huang was busy with the next express delivery, Xu had opened the express delivery. Her “coveted” canvas shoes were placed inside.
According to JD.com’s big data, consumers are more inclined to buy gifts for their loved ones to show their affection during Qixi Festival. The selection of gifts could be exquisite or practical. The concepts of traditional holidays and culture are increasingly being recognized by consumers, making this Qixi Festival Chinese style.
For example, during the Qixi Festival, sales of jade jewelry with the charm of traditional Chinese culture increased by 53% year-on-year. At the same time, sales of crystal agate, pearls, and Hetian jade increased by 4-5%. Investing in gold and silver increased by 148% year-on-year (the week before Qixi last year).
A gift for long-distance lovers: "Magpie Bridge Club" with special air tickets
Yu Yang, 23, is a college graduate. Two months ago, she was a Beijing drifter, who now works at a public relations company. To describe herself in her words, she is a newcomer in the workplace.
However, she has strong “backing”: her boyfriend Liu Chen in Chongqing. Liu not only plays video games with Yu after her work, but also surprises her every day, so that her drifting in Beijing is not as lonely.
“We graduated from the same university and met at school club activities.” Liu, who is a director in a film and television company, was recently considering whether he should quit his job and join Yu in Beijing. “This long-distance relationship sounds very romantic, but life is very lonely, I will miss her, especially during Qixi Festival.”
However, due to work, this year’s Qixi Festival is destined to be lonely.
“She is in Beijing, and had no vacation leave. I am shooting a promotional video project here, and I must not go away.” But after all, it is the Qixi Festival, and Liu feels that gifts still need to be prepared. “I sent her clothes, jewelry, and cosmetics, and it feels like it’s meaningless to continue to send them. Just when I was in trouble, a special offer from the airline appeared. I think I’ll send a special ticket.”
So, Liu bought a round-trip ticket between Chongqing and Beijing. Although it was not booked for August 25, he feels that as long as two people can meet each other in their busy schedule, it would be great. Yu feels that there are many kinds of gifts for Qixi Festival, but not “the more expensive, the better”. On the contrary, it depends on the intention of the gift. “The thicker, the truer”.
New favorite in Qixi Festival: cosmetics, sneakers and game skins
Shu Yun is a teacher at an educational institute in Chongqing. She has been busy caring for children.
“It has been a busy morning, and while I was resting, I realized that today is Qixi Festival.” She looked at the Moments in WeChat, and suddenly received a delivery reminder from her husband. “It’s cosmetics and facial masks, and a box of lozenges.”
Because she needs to talk a lot at work every day, Shu feels a little uncomfortable. “Unexpectedly, the gift he prepared for me was quite pragmatic. We have been married for many years, and the sudden romance caught me by surprise.”
Cosmetics, sneakers and game skins have become the “new favorites” for young people at Qixi Festival.
“If I want to choose, I will definitely want new game heroes and skins.” At Yangjiaping Pedestrian Street, 22-year-old Zi Qi feels that she prefers novel gifts. “In previous years, it was flowers and chocolates. You would feel that there was nothing new, and it was difficult to grab my attention. Sometimes, it would make people feel like they were perfunctory.”
In addition, a clerk at a sports brand apparel store said that more couples are buying couple shoes and co-branded running shoes this year. “During this year’s Qixi Festival, there is more activity at shopping malls, so many young people will choose some personalized clothing and sneakers.”
Flower market: This year’s Qixi Festival orders are not as good as last year
Wang Ziyu, the owner of a popular flower shop, which has been in business for 24 years, told reporters that during this year’s Qixi Festival, the situation is very different from previous years. Affected by the epidemic and high temperature, few came to the store to buy flowers, and online orders increased.
“The price of flowers this year has also fluctuated greatly. In the same period in previous years, a rose can be sold for 5 yuan, but this year, the cost of a rose is higher,” Wang said, although online orders have increased, but the overall order volume is still fewer than previous years’ Qixi Festival.
(Compiled by An Bowen)