This Spring Festival, a new trend is emerging among young people: sharing costs and experiences to celebrate the holiday. From splitting bills for reunion dinners with strangers to organizing group trips with newfound companions, Generation Z is redefining traditional festivities.

For many who cannot return home due to work commitments, financial constraints, or long distances, "group-buying" the Spring Festival has become an appealing alternative. Online platforms are filled with posts like "Looking for reunion dinner buddies in Guangzhou" or "Seeking travel companions for Spring Festival hiking in Shenzhen." These arrangements allow participants to preserve the core spirit of the holiday—reunion, companionship, and sharing—while maintaining clear boundaries and freedom.

Dashan, from Hubei province, decided to stay in Shenzhen for the holidays. With flexible working hours, he saw no need to join the stressful Spring Festival travel rush. On February 11, he posted an invitation online: "I'll cook, you eat!" Within two days, 20 people signed up for his AA制 reunion dinner. Dashan calculated the cost per person at 128 yuan, covering ingredients like beef and seafood, drinks, and cleaning.

He carefully planned the evening, decorating his home with festive stickers and paper-cuts, and arranging a menu that featured steamed seafood followed by beef hotpot. The gathering lasted until 1 a.m., with guests playing board games after the meal. Dashan explained that while family reunions can feel performative, with relatives asking about salaries and life milestones, sharing a meal with strangers offered genuine relaxation and belonging.

Jerry, spending the holiday in Guangzhou, shared similar sentiments. Having grown up independently in boarding schools, he values the freedom from familial expectations. "Group dinners provide both reassurance for family and a sense of ritual for ourselves," he said.

The trend extends beyond meals. Traveling with companions found online has also gained popularity. Er Mu, a post-00s traveler, planned a nine-day trip covering seven cities from Zhejiang to Guangzhou. He coordinated with four different strangers for various legs of the journey, preferring the flexibility over traveling with friends or family. "With strangers, you can part ways if interests don’t align—no hard feelings," he noted.

The financial benefits are significant. Dan Qining, who frequently travels with companions, highlighted how sharing costs halves expenses for accommodation and transportation. His two-day trip to see meteor showers in western Sichuan cost only 500 yuan per person after splitting bills. Er Mu’s nine-day, seven-city adventure is expected to total around 7,000 yuan thanks to cost-sharing.

However, participants are cautious. Screening potential companions via social media profiles is common to ensure compatibility in spending habits and interests. "The goal is enjoyment, not inconvenience," one traveler emphasized.

The concept of "group-buying" has expanded to other areas: collective purchases of holiday goods, pet-sitting exchanges, and even requests for "temporary girlfriends" to appease family expectations. One viral post offered 500 yuan per day for a woman to accompany a man home during the holidays.

Despite criticisms that these practices dilute tradition, participants argue they are adapting the holiday to modern needs. As Dashan reflected, "Strangers can become good friends over a meal. The desire for connection remains—only the form has changed."