过春节钱包"很受伤"

Spring Festival is a time for seeing the family, parties and huge dinners. But paying for those good times takes a toll on the wallet. The rise in spending might be good news for the economy as a whole, but for some people, it feels more like a burden.

Spring Festival is a time for family reunions. But there are great pressures to return home with presents and cash in hand.

"Children’s presents are too expensive even when they’re on sale, which costs several hundred yuan. Health products for old people cost thousands of yuan. It’s not over yet, I have to buy more for others."

In a survey CCTV NEWS posted online before the Spring Festival, costs associated with the holiday is the biggest worry for Chinese people.

Over 38% of those surveyed complained about the costs involved in buying gifts and giving money at this time of year.

As one Chinese new year tradition, giving children lucky money is a big, inevitable cost.

A: In rural areas, we give 20 or 30 yuan, but in the cities, its at least 200 yuan.

B: Do you have a lot of relatives?

A: Too many. My mother has ten sisters.

"I spent about 3000 yuan during the festival. I went to my hometown and bought presents for everyone, which cost a month’s salary for both me and my husband."

Many also have to spend their hard earned money visiting their friends and enjoying the time off.

A: I attended a party about every two days.

B: How much money did you spend at the parties?

A: About 2000-3000 yuan in total.

B: Is there big pressure?

A: Absolutely, I’m almost broke now.

"I attended parties almost every day. It costs me five to six hundred yuan every time. A big pressure for me."

A survey conducted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs show that in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, 70% of respondents don’t want to go back home for the Spring Festival, mainly because of the huge cost it entails.