'Red bombs' would raid pockets during the holidays
By Xu Xiaomin (Shanghai Star)
Updated: 2005-09-28 10:31

Revolutionary gifts

After liberation in 1949, cash was considered an evil. People were busy with political activities and wedding gifts at that time also had a political flavour.

Hard-covered books of Mao's sayings or newly-designed badges bearing Mao's head are very popular gifts at weddings during the 1970s. [Shanghai Star]

Today, many young people break into laughter when watching a TV programme about the "cultural revolution" (1966-1976) when people offered books of Mao quotations and Mao badges as wedding gifts.

"It's true, at that time hard-covered books of Mao's sayings or newly-designed badges bearing Mao's head were very popular gifts," said Sheng Chongming, in her 50s.

A new couple married during that period might easily receive dozens of such revolutionary books and badges. All would be displayed in an eye-catching place in their new home to show high respect to Chairman Mao.

Of course, daily use articles such as basins, towels and thermos bottles were among young people's favourite gifts. Most of these articles were printed with one or two sentences of revolutionary slogans or quotations from Chairman Mao in bright red such as "Serve the people heart and soul" or "Sailing in the ocean requires a helmsman."

After the "cultural revolution" marriages became practical again due to material shortages. "At that time, the things we wanted were quilts, furniture and small household articles," said Sheng, who married in 1976.

At that time, most goods were on rationing lists, including food, clothing, cotton, meat, sugar, oil and other items of daily use. Rationing didn't end until the beginning of the 1990s.

The best gift for a new couple was a ration ticket for cloth, cotton, a bicycle or some kind of basin. Sewing machines or clocks were seen as very luxurious articles for a new house.

In reciprocation to relatives and friends who gave money gift (only about 10 yuan) or ration tickets, the new couple would give a small bag of "happy candy," containing eight candies (four cheap fruit candies and four expensive creamy candies) to each guest.

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