What Do Chinese People Do on Christmas?

Friday, December 13, 2024

Christmas, though not a traditional holiday in China, has grown in popularity, especially in urban areas. It has become a festive occasion for socializing, gift-giving, and enjoying decorations. Unlike in Western countries, where Christmas is deeply rooted in religious and family traditions, in China, it’s more of a fun, commercial celebration. Let’s explore how Chinese people spend Christmas in modern times.

Celebrating with Friends

For many young Chinese people, Christmas is an opportunity to meet friends and exchange gifts礼物 (lǐwù). Shopping malls and online platforms often run special sales, making it easier to find unique presents. Friends also gather for Christmas-themed parties, complete with music, food, and festive games. Gift-giving has become a way to express appreciation and strengthen relationships during the holiday season.

礼物, noun, gifts

  1. Giving gifts is a popular Christmas tradition.

    送礼物是圣诞节流行的传统。
    
sòng lǐwù shì shèngdànjié liúxíng de chuántǒng.
  2. I received a lovely gift from my friend.

    我收到了朋友送的一份很好的礼物。
    
wǒ shōudàole péngyǒu sòng de yī fèn hěn hǎo de lǐwù.

Shopping and Decorations

Christmas in China is often associated with extravagant decorations装饰 (zhuāngshì). Shopping malls are adorned with sparkling lights, enormous Christmas trees, and festive displays. Many people visit these locations to take photos, shop for holiday sales, or simply enjoy the lively atmosphere. Large cities like Shanghai and Beijing even host Christmas markets, where visitors can enjoy themed snacks and crafts.

装饰, noun, decorations

  1. Shopping malls are filled with beautiful decorations during Christmas.

    圣诞节期间，商场里充满了漂亮的装饰。
    
shèngdànjié qījiān, shāngchǎng lǐ chōngmǎnle piàoliang de zhuāngshì.
  2. People love to take photos with the Christmas decorations.

    人们喜欢和圣诞装饰合影。
    
rénmen xǐhuān hé shèngdàn zhuāngshì héyǐng.

Eating and Exploring

Food also plays an important role in the way Chinese people celebrate Christmas. Western-style meals, such as roasted turkey or steaks, are popular in restaurants, but local twists are often added. Some people even enjoy exchanging apples苹果 (píngguǒ) as a symbol of peace and good luck. This practice originates from the similarity between the Chinese word for “peace” (平安, píng'ān) and “apple” (苹果, píngguǒ).

苹果, noun, apples

  1. Exchanging apples has become a unique Chinese Christmas tradition.

    交换苹果成了中国圣诞节的独特传统。
    
jiāohuàn píngguǒ chéngle zhōngguó shèngdànjié de dútè chuántǒng.
  2. Apples symbolize peace and blessings during Christmas.

    苹果象征着圣诞节的平安与祝福。
    
píngguǒ xiàngzhēngzhe shèngdànjié de píng'ān yǔ zhùfú.

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for all new students.If you are not satisfied with our services within the first month, you may cancel your lessons and receive a refund for any unused lessons.We will only charge you for the first month of lessons, and refund the remaining balance to you promptly.Our goal is to ensure your satisfaction with our services, and we strive to provide the highest quality of instruction and support to all of our students.
Thank you for choosing Chinese Learning for your language learning needs.If you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson, please do so at least 4 hours ahead of time. To request a cancellation, please send an email to ivy.wang @chineselearning.com or service @chineselearning.com.We appreciate your cooperation and understanding, and we look forward to providing you with the best learning experience possible."
Our Chinese learning method is focused on personalized and interactive one-on-one lessons with a professional teacher. The lessons are conducted live through our online teaching platform, which allows you to see and talk to the teacher. You can schedule the lessons at a time that suits you, and the teacher will tailor the lesson content to your specific needs and goals. During the lesson, you can ask questions and receive feedback from the teacher to ensure you understand and master the knowledge and skills being taught. We also have a student service team and academic coordinator team to assist you with your learning and provide any additional support you may need.Overall, our method is designed to be flexible, personalized, and interactive to help you achieve your language learning goals.
As a first - time student, if you are not completely satisfied with our service, we offer a cancellation policy that allows you to cancel your subscription before the first month. In such cases, we only charge a one - month fee and refund the remaining balance to you as soon as possible.We strive to ensure that our customers are fully satisfied with our service and are committed to providing a hassle - free refund process.
Certainly, we offer a complimentary 30 - minute trial lesson for you to experience our services before committing to a purchase.This will allow you to gain a better understanding of our qualified tutors, innovative teaching methods, comprehensive class materials, and more.We are committed to providing you with the highest level of service and ensuring your satisfaction with our courses.
Our students come from a wide range of ages, from 3 years old to over 80 years old. Our courses are tailored to each student's age and proficiency level to ensure they can receive maximum benefit and progress. Whether you want to learn Chinese as a second language or improve your existing Chinese skills, we can provide you with courses and resources that are suitable for you