In the land of China, every Lunar New Year, thousands of families celebrate reunion. However, in this season of deep emotions and traditional customs, the cost of the Spring Festival has become a unique calculation problem in the hearts of many people who work hard. Time Weekly has a special conversation with three girls from different backgrounds - Jiang Li, Jiang Jing and Zhizhi, through their stories, let us get a glimpse of the current changes in New Year's expenses and the "sweet burden" behind the "New Year's flavor".
Jiang Li, a 38-year-old woman from Shandong who works in Guangdong, chose to return to her hometown for the New Year this year. The round-trip air ticket plus the expenditure of red envelopes and gifts totals about 15,000 yuan, which is almost equivalent to a month's salary. In the face of such pressure, she said frankly that this is not for face or showing off, but out of love and respect for the family, hoping to make the family feel warmth and joy through such a sense of ceremony.
And 27-year-old Jiang Jing chose to stay in Hangzhou alone for the Spring Festival. For her, in addition to the economic pressure, her hometown is no longer what she remembers, her relatives have passed away, family affection has gradually become estranged, and the psychological pressure of comparison between relatives has made her decide to use this money to invest in her future. She applied for the makeup artist certificate and the Internet marketer certificate, and used the vacation to improve herself and pursue the realization of personal value, rather than short-term excitement and vanity.
As a member of the newlywed Yan'er, he experienced the new responsibilities brought about by the change of identity. She works in Shenzhen, her hometown of Huizhou, and for the first time after marriage, she feels that "adults feel that it is expensive and troublesome". In the New Year's budget of about 22,000 yuan, honoring the elders and taking care of the juniors has become the most important, and the various details of the New Year's greetings reflect the cautious grasp of the sophistication of human feelings after the first time. Despite the layoffs, she still hopes to send a message of well-being to her parents, relatives and friends through carefully prepared gifts and red envelopes, so that they can rest assured.
From Jiang Li's helpless but determined return, to Jiang Jing's rational choice and self-improvement, to her anxiety and growth after taking on a new family role, the experiences of the three women reveal that in contemporary society, Spring Festival spending is not only a material consumption war, but also a test of emotion and responsibility. It not only reflects the traditional virtue of Chinese people who pay attention to the maintenance of family affection, but also reflects the practical challenges and psychological pressures faced by individuals in modern life.
In today's consumption upgrading and the accelerated pace of life, how to redefine the "New Year's flavor" and balance emotional dedication with the actual economic situation? Are the red envelopes and gifts during the Chinese New Year a simple expression of emotion or formalism under invisible social pressure? With the changes in society, should people adjust their attitudes towards going home for the Spring Festival and the corresponding expenses, and seek a healthier and more rational way to celebrate the New Year?
In this discussion, everyone may be able to find their own unique insights and reflections on the "Spring Festival Homecoming Ledger". And this is exactly what the Spring Festival brings us is not only a festival, but also an opportunity to examine ourselves and think about life.