The FINANCIAL — New Year is the day that marks the beginning of a new calendar year, so people try their best to make the celebration very special. Our survey shows that the average family in Tbilisi spends about 250 USD on Christmas/New Year preparation. Satsivi, Gozinaki, (nuts and honey), Churchkhela (traditional sausage-shaped candy), fruits and sweets remain essential for Christmas and New Year celebration in Georgia.
“I spend about 300 GEL on average to buy the most necessary products for New Year. I think preparation for a New Year table needs about 400 GEL on average. But spending money depends on the financial resources that people have,” said Nino Sharikadze, 24.
“Unfortunately the prices are higher than the quality of products in Georgia. I buy products from supermarkets as well as from the market. Traditionally I buy pork, chicken, turkey, meat and fruits at the market. I think the choice is wider at the market, prices are less and the products are ecologically fresher. For buying sweets and manufactured products I go to the supermarket,” said Sharikadze.
“I usually celebrate New Year traditionally. I always buy the necessary products for cooking national Georgian dishes. I spend about 400 GEL for New Year. I think that the prices of products are higher this year. Unfortunately the prices of products are higher than the quality of the products in Georgia,” said Tamta Mchedlishvili, 26.
“People go to supermarkets as well as to markets. Personally I prefer to visit supermarkets. I’m working and for me it’s easier to buy products there. I have already bought all the necessary products like sweets, pork, and nuts and honey for making “Gozinaki”,” Mchedlishvili said.
I bought a New Year tree last year. I buy new decorations for the tree every year and I spend approximately 20-25 GEL on that.
Together with food products, Christmas decorations are very popular among Georgians. Christmas trees and Christmas toys are some of the main factors while preparing for New Year.
“I have already bought a New Year tree, it’s very beautiful. I spent 40 GEL on my New Year tree. Generally I buy Christmas decorations every year at Goodwill and Super and I spend on them about 150-200 GEL,” said Nino Berikashvili, 32.
“Buying a New Year tree is not necessary every year, but I have bought a new one for this New Year already for 45 GEL. I buy Christmas tree decorations every year and I spend about 30-40 GEL on them,” Mchedlishvili said.
“I like buying New Year decorations as it makes the house looks prettier. I spend about 150 GEL on New Year decorations,” Berikashvili said.
Hypermarket Goodwill is one of the places which offers a wide choice of New Year decorations, ornaments and trees. Goodwill offers its clients a New Year’s entertainment programme to children every weekend.
“The prices for Christmas products start from 17 GEL at Goodwill and reach 793 GEL. The minimum price of Christmas decorations start from 1.95 GEL going up to 12 GEL. We have Christmas tree lights starting from 6 GEL going up to 250 GEL. Other New Year decorations like snowflakes, ribbons and other decorative items cost from 1.50 GEL to 840 GEL,” said Tea Gotsadze, PR Manager of Goodwill.
The price of Christmas decorations at Super start from 1 GEL and reach 8 GEL. The prices of Christmas trees start from 118 GEL and reach 282 GEL. Christmas decorations start from 15 GEL.
“I always buy new Christmas decorations for my children. It makes my kids happier and makes them feel the Christmas spirit at home. I actually spend about 100 GEL every year on buying Christmas decorations for the home,” Berikashvili said.
“New Year is one of my most favourite celebrations. I buy all necessary products specially for this day. The thing I like most about Christmas is buying gifts for my family members and friends. I like when my house is decorated with Christmas items and together with the Christmas tree they make my house look nicer and more festive,” Chogovadze said.
Discussion about this post