CRI听力：Valentine's Day Headache

Anchor:
Valentine's day is a day when we are reminded how romantic some people can be. Apart from the traditional chocolates and roses, how to figure out the best gift for the beloved ones could also be a headache for many people. Have you prepared the Valentine's day gift for your beloved ones?

Our reporter Liu Min has more.

Reporter:
In preparation for the holiday in Beijing, stores are filled with special counters for jewellery, flowers, teddy bears, chocolates and other gifts can be seen everywhere, and love songs echoed from every corner. Han Xuping is a gift shop manager.

"We started the Valentine's day promotion since the 15th of the Lunar New Year, 5 days before the Valentine's day. We offer 50% discount especially for this festival on all the products now and more customers come shopping in my store these days."

In one gift shop, a girl named Nana is concentrating on picking the wrapping for the gift she has been preparing for her boyfriend. She says she has prepared the gift for almost a month.

"I wrote what I want to do for him everyday in a small brochure. I printed some of our photos onto the pages and glued some stickers. You can call it a concentrated diary, or a book of romantic letters. I also drew the cover of the book."

After heard of this special gift, I was totally touched by her wholehearted gift. When asked whether she knows about what her boyfriend is preparing for her, she says.

"I don't expect anything from him, and what I care about is what I can do for him. I just want to love him in the days we are together."

Valentine's Day is a day for people to revel in love. However, it can also be a stressful day for some. Whether it's because of the pressure to come up with the 'perfect' romantic gesture for a significant other, or the reminder of not being in a 'perfect' relationship, Valentine's Day can be a day of stress and anxiety. It is also quite stressful for some late buyers.

"(Sign)I really haven't thought about this though. I will mail her a gift today. She is in another city so we won't meet each other on Valentine's day, so mailing her a gift could be good, but I'm totally lost what to give her."

Well, less than one day before the Valentine's day, and the gift still not mailed. No wonder the man seemed to be a bit of anxious.

Unlike lucky girl Nana who is deeply in love, not everyone on this day will be happy. It is especially difficult for the single ones. However, some of them have found alternative ways not to be alone.

"What would I do on Valentine's day since I have no sweetheart. Hmm, I need to search it up online and see whether there are any parties for singles and I will definitely join them."

"I have a group of single friends and we will go climb a mountain in the suburb together and probably have a party at night. Plus I think it is pretty cool to be single."(www.hXen.com)

For lovers who are racking their brains to make arrangements for the special day, Google China has launched a special map that provides information on recommended gifts, performances, theatres, bar parties, KTVs, hotels, and discounts for Valentine's Day in Beijing. It is not an exaggeration to say that the western Valentine's Day celebrated on Feb. 14 has become a one-hundred-percent spending spree in China. But this year, crisis or not, neither merchants nor lovers are going to leave this festive weekend alone.

For China Drive, I'm Liu Min.