The Chinese characters on the placard read "Apples sold out. Tangerines are also a lucky fruit which could keep you safe and sound". [Photo/IC]

Sellers cash in on lucky fruit on Christmas Eve

People are swarming roadside booths to buy wrapped boxes of apples as gifts for family and friends on Christmas Eve.

A smart vendor took advantage of the occasion to sell not just apples but other fruit as well.

The vendor in Hefei, capital city of East China’s Anhui province, put up a placard to encourage buyers to purchase tangerines after the apples sold out.

"Apples sold out. Tangerines are also a fruit; they could keep you safe and sound," read sixteen Chinese characters printed in black and white by the vendor.

Apples, or pingguo, sound similar to the word for Christmas Eve, ping'anye, and have the auspicious meaning of safety and happiness.

However, it is unclear how many tangerines were sold on Thursday night.