Prior to our departure, some people shared their concerns that China would be completely devoid of the Western holiday spirit. Well everyone should rest assured that Christmas is VERY much here. It might require that I get my camera out to show the extent of it because, well…it’s extensive.
The clubhouse and front gates of the expat communities are over-the- top with the decorations and trees already. Lights and trees are starting to appear in front of homes. There are at least 100 trees for sale in the courtyard at the clubhouse and at the nurseries in this part of town. Even the big markets in the city are life-size robotic Santas waving people into the stores. It’s nice, but it’s also a little odd.
What’s really strange is that it’s not just for the expat market…there seem to be a huge number of local Chinese who think it’s a fun holiday; just like we adopted the festivities of St. Patrick’s day. Now, I’m sure a few local folks are actually Christians but from what I’ve heard, many think the idea of decorating and gifting during one part of the year is pretty neat and eeing it here at this magnitude really shrinks my perception of our physical distance from home.
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