China is ready for the New Year holidays
In the years leading up to 2020, December in China was a relentless, back-to-back celebration of global winter holidays. From the start of the month, the entire country transformed. Shopping malls, luxury hotels, and public spaces competed to create the ultimate festive atmosphere. It began with Christmas—"Merry Christmas" signs were everywhere—and then, almost overnight in early January, the decorations would pivot to vibrant red lanterns and "Happiness" characters for the Lunar New Year. In some places, the displays were updated multiple times in just a few weeks.
Malls would pair massive red installations with flowering branches resembling cherry blossoms. Every winter in China was an unforgettable spectacle of festive greetings, massive discounts, flash sales, and ever-changing holiday decor.
By 2025, the landscape has shifted. For the few expats currently living in China, spotting a Western-style Christmas display has become a rare treasure. When one is found, photos and locations are immediately pinned on social media so others can rush over with their children to capture a photo and soak up a bit of that elusive holiday mood.
The Digital Shopping Frenzy
This 2025 holiday season, China is witnessing a massive surge in online consumerism. It seems to be a global trend: local supermarkets have become hubs for daily essentials, while everything else—from gifts to gourmet treats for the festive table—is ordered online. With each passing year, the volume grows, leading to an army of couriers and a constant stream of new pickup points opening across the country.
The titans of the Chinese marketplace include:
- Taobao and Tmall: The ultimate "one-stop shops" where you can order anything from Christmas ornaments to luxury gifts—literally everything from paperclips to DJI drones, high-end refrigerators, and TVs.
- Pinduoduo: The go-to for maximum discounts through group buying. You can find anything imaginable here, from a needle to a haystack.
- JD.com (Jingdong): A premium platform favored by those who prioritize same-day delivery or high-quality, expensive goods, whether it's fresh groceries or top-tier electronics.
A fleet of courier services works tirelessly to transport these purchases and gifts across cities and towns to pickup stations and automated lockers. Since mid-December, the sheer volume of logistics in China has skyrocketed to the point where couriers in their motorized carts form long queues just to unload at distribution centers. While the volume of parcels has already increased several-fold in late December, it remains to be seen what the peak will look like as we approach the most significant holiday: the Lunar New Year.
Despite the logistical hustle, the festive spirit is palpable once again. In the evenings, the streets are coming alive. People are heading out for strolls or joining in the popular communal evening dances. Most importantly, happy faces and smiles are becoming a common sight. Though winter has arrived, it feels as though people have simply missed the magic of the season. In China, the entire winter is one long, continuous celebration!
We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and hope you find yourself in a similarly festive atmosphere. We invite you to visit China this winter—not for work or business, but simply to relax and enjoy the incredible sales, festivities, and holiday cheer!