ISLAMABAD (APP) - As Eid approaching close, the shopping frenzy around federal capital increases in preparation for the cheerful festival but shopping of bangles and henna - traditional commodities - are gathering a bit slow pace. The distribution of bangles and henna as gifts among the girls on Eid is an old tradition and capitalising on this tradition, shopkeepers set up stalls outside their shops in markets to attract more and more customers. This year too, many shopkeepers have set up stalls in the main markets including Super, Jinnah Super, Aabpara, Aabpara Arcade and Karachi Company markets. This time the customers response seems not encouraging towards these traditional gifts and stall-holders and customers blame different reasons for this. A visit by this scribe in different markets reveals that high prices are the main reason forcing the customers to become overly choosy in Eid shopping, avoiding additional products such as bangles and henna. Shaheen Fatima, a young girl who was busy shopping in the Super Market, said she would buy bangles and henna for herself and her friends. I have not yet purchased all these things but will certainly buy soon, she said. She said it was a symbol of festivity and she would certainly participate in Eid festivities by decorating herself with henna and by wearing new crystal bangles. She said this was the cheapest way of taking along your friends and relatives as one can buy a full set of quality bangles and henna for less then Rs 110. We always exchange gifts in the form of bangles and henna on every Eidul Fitr, she said. I set up this stall few days ago like the last year but this time the customers response is very slow. Nonetheless, I hope that it will go up during the last days of Ramazan when the government employees would get Eid salaries in advance, said Ashraf Kazmi, a stall-holder at New Aabpara Market. He said the main reason for people keeping away from traditions is the media revolution. People take shopping as a time-consuming and useless practice in the present day. But still there are lots of people who like this tradition and celebrate Eid in traditional manners, he said. Saleem Ahmed, another stall-holder at Super Market, said that he was hopeful that his business would gain momentum in the last days of Ramazan. People have started visiting markets for Eid shopping but they are not very interested for the time being. The real Eid shopping would take place during the last week of Ramazan, he commented.