s Western countries
have known that
the Chinese
celebrate Lunar New Year, which is as important as the Christmas festival to Western people and family, more and more foreigners in China join the big celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year and more younger generations in China start celebrating Christmas. The peak business drive for Christmas in Western countries starts from late November till New Year's Eve, however shops and restaurants in China start Christmas campaigns from late October until late February or sometimes even March!
I used to live in a compound located on a business street with one of the most famous shopping malls in Beijing, called SOLANA MALL. Thanks to my German husband, I got to know many “funny” things about how the Chinese celebrate Christmas from a foreigner-in-Beijing point of view. Funny to him, but they are absolutely normal for me. Like on Christmas Eve, instead of giving different personal gifts, we give our friends and family members an apple! But not an ordinary apple. This edible apple is presented in a very nicely designed and packaged way. The phrase Christmas Eve in Chinese is [píng ān yè] and apple is [píng guǒ], and [píng ān] means safeness, soundness, wellness. We believe an [píng guǒ] can bring [píng ān] to our beloved ones. Also, like the 10-meter height Christmas tree made from plastic placed at SOLANA stays for almost half a year as the main decoration and gets removed in March, which is totally normal for me. After all, my Chinese friends and I also have a plastic Christmas tree at home and due to the massive efforts we put into the decorations, we keep the tree up until we feel it is the right moment to deconstruct it and store everything for next Christmas! What is even more interesting, instead of coming together with family members for Christmas, we go out with friends on Christmas Eve and join different events, like purchasing a night ticket and watching six movies in a row or enjoy the artificial snow show at SOLANA or join the big party at Sanlitun street till next morning!
I love the phenomenon that traditional festivals are becoming more and more international despite the way how we celebrate it. As long as we enjoy it and have spectacular moments, it is just so worth it to be all in the joy. So, if you haven’t any idea of what gift you can give to your beloved ones, how about an apple to bring all soundness and wellness to them!
A