[News Space=Reporter seungwon lee] The highest condom sales time of year is Christmas.

 

According to a survey conducted by major convenience stores in Korea, such as 7-Eleven, CU, and GS25, major market research firms (Kaggle, Powerdrill AI, Custom Market Insights), and media research firm (fortunebusinessinsights), condom sales on Christmas Day surged more than 2.5 times compared to usual, reaching an all-time high.

 

According to 7-Eleven's 2013 sales data, condom sales on Christmas Day (December 25th) were 262.0 and on Christmas Eve (December 24th) were 196.3, compared to the daily average. These figures represent increases of 2.6 and 1.96 times, respectively, compared to the average.

 

The highest sales of the year, Christmas being the most representative

 

According to a monthly condom sales analysis by convenience store chain 7-Eleven, December records the highest sales of the year. The average sales index for December was 108.6, even higher than the summer vacation season in August (106.8).

 

In particular, condom sales tend to be concentrated on certain holidays, with daily sales more than doubling compared to the average on Christmas and Christmas Eve, and Buddha's Birthday (May 17th) also seeing a 79.3% increase. GS25 also found that December 25th was the peak day for condom sales each year, according to sales data collected over the past three years.

 

Socio-cultural interpretation and psychological background

 

The peak condom sales around Christmas are not simply statistical; they reflect cultural and psychological factors. Christmas combines special moments with loved ones, a romantic atmosphere, and social expectations. Many people spend special time with their partners on this day, which tends to increase sexual activity, leading to a surge in condom demand. Indeed, domestic and international studies have reported increases in sexual frequency and unsafe sex during the holiday season.

 

Furthermore, the proportion of condom purchases by women and adolescents has been steadily increasing. According to data from 7-Eleven, the proportion of female purchasers increased from 17.5% in 2012 to 23.5% in 2014, while the proportion of adolescent purchasers (ages 14-20) also increased from 0.3% to 0.6%. This demonstrates increased awareness of sex education and contraception.

 

Christmas and Condoms from a Philosophical and Cultural Perspective

 

Beyond its religious significance, Christmas has become a day in modern society symbolizing special moments spent with loved ones. The surge in condom sales on this day isn't simply a consumer data phenomenon; it's a crucial clue to understanding modern people's values ​​and the cultural and psychological trends of society.

 

This phenomenon demonstrates that Christmas is more than just a religious festival; it's a time for modern people to reflect on the meaning of sex, love, and responsibility. In other words, it can be interpreted as a phenomenon that combines cultural customs and social expectations, establishing itself as a symbol of special time with a partner, an open attitude toward sex, and a responsible sexual life. 

 

Differences in condom sales seasonality in different countries

 

Similar trends are emerging overseas, with numerous studies reporting a surge in condom sales during Christmas and the New Year holidays in countries like the UK and the US.

 

Differences reveal that in Korea, the peak of condom sales is the end of the year (December), with Christmas and Christmas Eve recording the highest sales volumes. However, overseas condom sales seasonality exhibits distinct characteristics driven by cultural and social differences.

 

In North America and Europe, condom sales tend to increase during the holiday season (Christmas, New Year's, etc.), but there are regional differences. In the US, sales are high not only during the year-end but also during the spring and summer (graduation season, vacation season, etc.), with a particular increase in condom purchases among adolescents and young adults during graduation season (May and June). In Europe, condom sales increase not only during the year-end but also during government-led sex education campaigns, STD prevention campaigns, and the summer season, which sees a large influx of tourists.

 

In the Asia-Pacific region (China, India, Indonesia, etc.), condom sales tend to increase during wedding seasons, graduation seasons, and holidays (such as the Lunar New Year) in addition to the year-end period. In countries like Indonesia, condom purchases by adolescents are particularly concentrated during the graduation season.

 

There are numerous academic studies and papers on the surge in condom sales, both domestically and internationally.

 

For example, a study in the United States found that condom sales surged after an AIDS education campaign from 1986 to 1988. Following the 1987 Surgeon General's AIDS report, condom sales increased from 2.4 million to 2.99 million, with sales of latex condoms containing spermicide increasing by 116%. This demonstrates the direct impact of public health campaigns and sex education on condom sales.

 

There are also studies examining the relationship between seasonal condom sales and sexual activity. Studies published in 1994 and 1999 found that sexual activity and unprotected sex increased during the Christmas and summer vacation periods, leading to a corresponding surge in condom sales. These studies highlight the social and cultural factors that contribute to increased sexual activity during the holiday season and the importance of providing health care services during this time. 

 

In Korea, numerous papers have been published on college students' condom use attitudes and influencing factors, as well as the relationship between increased condom sales and sex education. For example, a 2024 study analyzing factors influencing college students' condom use found that sex education and self-efficacy had a positive impact on condom use. Another study (2023) found that condom sales increased after the lifting of social distancing measures due to COVID-19.

 

These papers show that the surge in condom sales is not simply a consumer phenomenon, but is closely linked to a variety of factors, including public health campaigns, sex education, social climate, and seasonal factors.

 

Netizens' Hidden Humor and Philosophical Drips Behind the Condom Sales Surge

 

With Christmas and Buddha's Birthday ranked as the days with the highest condom sales, online communities and social media are flooded with meaningful jokes and amusing responses. The question, "Why do pregnancy-related activities increase on the birthdays of Jesus and Buddha?" is transcending simple statistics and spreading into humorous and philosophical discourse surrounding social trends and cultural interpretations. 

 

Netizens satirize the reality that religious holidays have become special times for couples, with various jokes such as “Christmas = Sex Christmas,” “Sacred 6 hours,” and “If you don’t have a lover, you’re a singles unit,” etc. In response to the question, “Why do condoms sell so much on Jesus’ birthday?”, satirical and philosophical comments followed, such as, “Since Santa gives presents on the day, isn’t he giving life as a gift too?” and “Isn’t sharing love on a holy day a blessing from God?” 

 

Another response was, "Condom sales on holy days are not a violation of God's will, but rather a practice of responsible love." Some netizens emphasized the need for a change in perception of sex education and contraception, saying, "Getting pregnant on holy days is a blessing, but irresponsible encounters are a shame." 

 

In this way, the surge in condom sales on Christmas and Buddha's Birthday is not simply a consumer phenomenon, but a reflection of modern people's values, cultural interpretations, and social trends, and online communities are filled with humor and philosophical discourse about this.