Christmas-related products spent at home are selling well Support is expanding November 24, 17:21
This year, the influence of the new coronavirus is also strong in the Christmas sales season.
As infections are being confirmed all over the country, sales of related products are strong for people who want to spend Christmas at home.
On the other hand, there is a growing movement to support single-parent families, who continue to face financial difficulties even until Christmas, by delivering boxes full of food and giving books to children.
A large general store in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo has set up a sales floor for Christmas since the end of last month.
Among them, sales of Christmas trees and tree decorations have increased by about 30% compared to last year, which means that orthodox trees and decorations are more popular than novel ones. ..
The store thinks, "I tried to put out the tree for the first time in a long time and it was old, so there may be a demand to buy a new one."
In addition, the store is expanding the Christmas card section in anticipation of the need to "send gifts and letters to friends and family who are difficult to meet."
It means that the sales of Christmas cards with ingenuity, such as those that show a three-dimensional tree picture when opened and those that play music, are strong.
In addition, humidifier sales are 40% higher than at the same time last year.
It means that small ones are also sold, probably because multiple units are installed in the building.
Kokyu Yokokawa, a public relations officer at Loft, said, "I think that many people send Christmas cards with gratitude because they can't meet friends and people who have taken care of them. I want you to have a good Christmas in the loft. "
On the other hand, in Yokohama City, there is a movement to support single-parent households who continue to be in a difficult situation even until Christmas due to the influence of the new coronavirus.
The Yokohama City Council of Social Welfare Volunteer Center is preparing to give food to about 750 single-parent households next month.
In the cardboard box that will be shipped, in addition to food for about 10 days such as rice and retort curry, powder for hot cakes, lactic acid drinks, and rice cakes for the New Year are also included so that you can feel Christmas even a little. It was packed.
When the volunteer center provided food assistance this spring, many people called for continuous implementation, so they decided to provide this assistance.
When I asked individuals and companies to donate, they gathered one after another and it has already reached 7 million yen.
The family email I applied for said, "When my child lied that he was" full, "and when he noticed it, he felt sad and sad." "Corona reduced my work and my income significantly, and my food expenses. If you can't afford it, you can't afford it. There is no such happy Christmas gift. "
Taku Wakabayashi, chief of the Volunteer Center, said, "I planned this event to make children happy during the Christmas season. I hear people say that their children can't eat full, so I hope they have a good time." I was talking.
In addition, activities to directly give books to children who are unable to celebrate Christmas are expanding.
The NPO "Charity Santa" is promoting an activity called "Book Santa".
You can donate by crowdfunding, but at online bookstores and some bookstores, you can donate the picture books you purchased on the spot.
The donated books will be delivered by Santa Claus to the family members who applied.
It's been four years since I started the activity, and the number of bookstores that support it has increased from 58 at the beginning to 307 in 36 prefectures.
In addition, there were twice as many applications from homes as usual, and about 40% of the respondents complained about the impact of the new corona.
Among them, "I'm sorry I couldn't buy my eldest son's birthday gift because the offer was canceled in Corona" and "I can't spend Christmas with my child because I'm a medical worker and I'm afraid of infection." ..
In addition, the harsh facts were written, such as "I'm worried if I can prepare a present because of the decrease in income due to Corona."
Rumi Yamazaki of Junkudo Bookstore Ikebukuro Main Store, one of the bookstores that support it, said, "I think that the number of people who donate is increasing at a faster pace than usual due to the influence of the new coronavirus. With children I would like people who are not involved to participate. "
Natsuki Seisuke, the representative of NPO Charity Santa, said, "Because it is difficult to go outside, I would like you to read the special book given by Santa many times to support your heart." Was there.