Seeing red: Workers putting up lanterns and other decorations at the Guan Di Temple in Kuala Lumpur in celebration of this year’s Chinese New Year that falls on Jan 22. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: It’s only the first week of 2023, but the feeling of Chinese New Year is definitely in the air.
The sale of Lunar New Year decorations started even before Christmas trees were taken down at malls.
And now the Yuletide colours have been replaced with red at shops and stalls in the Klang Valley.
In Bandar Mahkota Cheras, shopkeeper Nyie Chan, 25, said Chinese red lanterns, door couplets, and paper decorations have been flying off the shelves.
He said red lanterns were a bestseller while paper calligraphy of the Chinese character “fu” or “blessing” was also in demand.
He said the price of Lunar New Year decorations had increased by 5% to 10%, with red lanterns costing RM10 per set.
Shopkeeper Yong Zi Qi said sales of decorations were better this year despite the slight increase in prices.
With 2023 being the Year of the Rabbit, she added, customers were willing to pay for cute decorations.
Yong said she rents a shop for just a month every year, to sell decorations until stocks last.
Grace Wong, 43, said she had to cut back on non-essentials including decorations this year.
The mother of two said she had spent a lot preparing for their new school term.
Wong, however, said she would still decorate their home.
“Decorating the house is a must to feel the atmosphere of Chinese New Year,” she said.
“We want our home to attract good energy and be filled with prosperity,” she added.
