Updated: Tuesday, 22 Dec 2009, 11:53 AM EST
Published : Tuesday, 22 Dec 2009, 11:53 AM EST
(CNN) – It is a cacophony of Santas.
Imagine listening to Christmas carols nearly everyday of the year. Such is life for many in this corner of the globe, and it is not the North Pole.
Christmas trees like those manufactured in Yiwu will be brightening up homes all over the world. The managers of this market said over 80 percent of all Christmas decorations are bought and sold in Yiwu.
This town in China is home to the biggest wholesale market in the world. Traders come from all over to stock up on stockings, tinsels, ornaments and paper Santas sold by people like Lui Hongxia. Hongxia depends on Christmas celebrations, though her understanding of the Christian holiday is more practical than anything else.
“Christmas means I get more sales and more money,” said Hongxia.
Sellers and buyers said the down economy this year has dampened yuletide spirit.
“I think 50 percent less business right now,” said Pradeep Bokaria, a buyer. “The economy everywhere is falling in the world.”
Artificial tree maker Wu Jun said sales at her factory dropped by as much as 30 percent. To cope, she is turning to markets outside the United States and Europe to Brazil and even China.
“It’s getting trendy to celebrate Christmas here,” said Jun. “You’ll see a lot of shops, big shopping malls and hotels putting up huge decorations to attract people.”
The gifts end up at a port. Hundreds of containers depart Yiwu everyday, delivering their precious cargo to homes across the globe.
Jun cannot imagine her work without the festive event.
“Without Christmas, I would have nothing to do,” said Jun.