Spring Festival is a time for seeing the family, parties and huge dinners. But paying for those good times takes a toll on the wallet. The rise in spending might be good news for the economy as a whole, but for some people, it feels more like a burden.

Spring Festival is a time for family reunions. But there are great pressures to return home with presents and cash in hand.

"Children's presents are too expensive even when they're on sale, which costs several hundred yuan. Health products for old people cost thousands of yuan. It's not over yet, I have to buy more for others," a resident said.

In a survey CCTV NEWS posted online before the Spring Festival, costs associated with the holiday is the biggest worry for Chinese people.

Over 38 percent of those surveyed complained about the costs involved in buying gifts and giving money at this time of year.

As one Chinese new year tradition, giving children lucky money is a big, inevitable cost. Many also have to spend their hard earned money visiting their friends and enjoying the time off.

A survey conducted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs show that in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, 70 percent of respondents don't want to go back home for the Spring Festival, mainly because of the huge cost it entails.

(CNTV.cn February 17, 2013)