Holidays in China

Jintian:   January 7, 2013


Hi Everyone,
Well, the holidays have ended so its about time that I filled you in on what we have been doing. We had 14 for Christmas Day with Kenny's friends from the International dorm as well as a few others.  I made each person a Santa sack since I couldn't buy socks.  I filled the bags with special candies from America and little cheeses like Babybel (cheese is expensive here).  When we went to Thailand at the first of December I bought souvenirs to use as stocking stuffers so everyone got cell phone charms, silk scarfs and magnets. 

Our family tradition is home made soup on Christmas day and the big dinner on Christmas Eve.  I always make Clam Chowder.  Alas, no clams, so this year I made a veggie soup with beef and a creamy potato soup with ham.  We did have hot rolls.  I have carried on with Grandma Taylor's tradition and make hot rolls for most important occasions.  

We played a card game of Spoons - with chop sticks after the meal.

Christmas in a non Christian country is an odd experience. First it isn't a holiday. Duane's company take it off by most don't. Many people worked a regular day.  This was good when I realized that I didn't have enough bowls for everyone and Duane walked over to the store to buy more.  Its not a holiday from school, in fact the semester ends in January,  Kenny is taking finals this week.  The teachers who have the foreign students usually excuse them for Christmas day but the Chinese students go to school.  China loves to decorate though so there are plenty of fake Christmas trees around.  Our building put a big one in the lobby and on Christmas day we had a very skinny Santa handing out candies.   The stores all have a few decorations and window displays. Some window displays use an orange-red which to the "trained eye" doesn't say Christmas at all.  There is no mention of Jesus in this and the young people just think its another day to get a present.  Most Chinese families don't actually give presents but the young people are pushing the idea. (of course).  On the other side, New Years is a three day holiday Jan 1-3.  However, as is China tradition for several other holidays,  you get to work Saturday and Sunday after to make up the days off. 

All in all, it was a nice Christmas Day, and I was happy to have a crowd.