Christmas, with Chinese Characteristics.
If you’ve spent some time in China, you’ve likely seen Christmas decorations and perhaps even heard Christmas songs when you weren’t expecting to. Christmas is not a widely celebrated holiday in China like it is in the West, but it has been growing in popularity, especially among the younger generations. It’s seen as a time when classmates, friends, and loved ones gather together to enjoy each other’s company to go to KTV, dinner, or ice skating. Christmas is not an official holiday in China, and most people work on Christmas day, however China has created Christmas traditions of their own. Keep reading below to see how people in China celebrate Christmas!
1. Christmas Trees, Lights and Decorations!
The Western tradition of hanging elaborate Christmas lights and decorative displays has caught on in China. Christmas trees, known as “Trees of Light,” in China are often artificial, but are often just as extravagant as in the US with decorations of lanterns, flowers, and red paper chains. Christmas trees are commonly seen in public spaces as an attraction, rather than a decoration in the home.
2. Christmas Feast; Chinese-Style
Even though the scent of pine trees won’t be wafting through the house, the smell of an eight treasures duck 八宝鸭 (bā bǎo yā) will. The eight treasures duck is the Chinese version of a stuffed Christmas turkey with a diced chicken, smoked ham, peeled shrimp, fresh chestnuts, bamboo shoots, dried scallops and mushroom filling. For those who don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen, many restaurants and hotels offer buffet specials on Christmas as well.
3. Santa = Sheng Dan Lao Ren (圣诞老人)
In China, Santa Claus (圣诞老人 Shen Dan Lao Ren) is seen as a figure of good luck who represents the giving spirit of Christmas. Because of the relative newness of Christmas in China, many Chinese people don’t quite know what to make of him. In China, Santa is still considered a jolly old fellow with a round belly and a twinkle in his eye, and many Chinese people consider him “cute”, and similar to the West, it’s popular to don his customary red and white outfit for fun. Interestingly, Santa is often depicted in China playing a saxophone; perhaps because chimneys are not a common architectural feature in China Santa had to find another hobby!
4. Carved Apples on Christmas Eve (苹果 on 平安夜)
On Christmas Eve (平安夜 ping an ye) in China, it has become a popular tradition to give a carved apple to loved ones. As with other gift-giving traditions in China, homophones are important. The word for “apple” in Mandarin is pingguo (苹果), which sounds similar to the word for “peace” (pingan 平安). By giving an apple to a loved one, you are wishing them peace and happiness for the year. Usually, the apples given are inscribed with seasonal greetings and messages of love.
5. Christmas Carols
Christmas carols are also popular in China! Although carolers probably don’t go door to door that often in China, you can see some performances in public spaces. In bigger cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong you can see performances like the Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, and more during the holiday season at the big performing arts centers. Sometimes the dancing Ayis even get festive!
6. Gift Giving
Although there are a significant number of Christians in China who celebrate Christmas for it’s religious meaning, it’s largely a holiday young people use as an excuse to get together and have fun with friends. Similar to Valentine’s Day in the West, Christmas in China is a time when friends and loved ones exchange gifts and have parties and celebrations.
How will you share the holiday spirit with your Pengyous this year? Leave a comment and let us know!
Sources: The Economist, The Guardian, Washington Post, China Highlights, China Simplified,