Welcome to CHINA –the first stop for Christmas Around the World with CurrClick.
CurrClick invited me and nine other homeschool bloggers to give away goodies for this blog hop that teaches you about Christmas in other countries. Visit the schedule over at CurrClick so you don’t miss any of the posts and giveaways.
Keep reading for the giveaways and how to enter.
Celebrating the Birth of Christ in China
If you ask a Chinese person about Christmas, usually he will tell you that Chinese people don’t celebrate it. He may tell you that Chinese New Year is their “Christmas.” What he means, of course, is that Chinese New Year is the biggest holiday in China just as Christmas is the biggest holiday in the West.
In China, there are five state-approved religions: Buddhism, Islam, Taoism, Protestantism, and Catholicism. It is estimated that less than 1% of Chinese people are Christian (including both Protestants and Catholics). With those facts, it makes sense why celebrating the birth of Jesus is not largely celebrated in China. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are regular working and school days.
However, among that 1% of Chinese Christians, Christmas is a special day. Instead of putting up Christmas trees and exchanging gifts, Chinese Christians will meet together for a Christmas program with singing, skits, and reading the Christmas story. If Christmas Day falls on a weekday when everyone has to work, the celebrations will be shifted to the weekend when people are free.
Celebrating a Secular Christmas in China
But even though most Chinese people do not celebrate Christmas, you can see evidence of the secular aspect of the holiday in shops and public places.
Santa Hats
Santa Themed Banners
Christmas Trees
Sparkley Decorations
tinsel and fake snow
All of these photos are from previous years because the Christmas decorations don’t go up nearly as early as you see in America. Right now there are no Christmas decorations up in my city. Nor are any available to buy. In smaller cities, you will have to wait until mid-December to see any evidence of Christmas. But the Chinese people make up for it by leaving the decorations up a long time — sometimes until March or even later.
Special Christmas Eve Activities in China
Young people often use Christmas Eve as an excuse to have a fun night out. Here are some of the interesting ways they celebrate:
- They purchase inflatable hammers and bats and hit each other. (Watch this Youtube video to see it in action. I don’t have any audio on the laptop I’m using, so I can’t vouch for what you might hear. Preview first.)
- They exchange Christmas Eve apples — a red apple with a decorative bow on it.
- They spray each other with Silly String.
The Giveaways
CurrClick has donated six freebies for my readers. I’ve divided them up into three sets so that three people will win two products each.
To be eligible for the giveaways, leave me a comment telling me what surprised you most about Christmas in China. Or you can ask a question. Or if you live in China, please feel free to share your experiences of Christmas. China is huge and varies widely from region to region.
I’ll select the three winners randomly on Dec. 13.
1. Giveaway One
Understanding China by Educational Impressions
This book is divided into four sections: People, Ideas, Places, and Events. Each section of the book contains a broad sampling of 14 topics. Included for each individual topic you will find a brief narrative of factual background information, a visual support of the narrative, interdisciplinary activities to extend understanding, (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and the Arts) and opportunities for to students to create their own activities.
AND
Christmas Copywork by Lilliput Station
Let your child learn the true story of Christmas as they practice their writing skills. This file contains fourteen different copywork pages with verses from the KJV Bible and one with a verse from a hymn. Each page is illustrated with black and white drawings and comes with both primary and straight lines.
2. Giveaway Two
1. Our Global Village – China by Milliken
Bring the world a little closer with these multicultural books. An excellent way for students to appreciate and learn cultural diversity in an exciting hands-on format. Each book explores the history, language, holidays, festivals, customs, legends, foods, creative arts, lifestyles, and games of the title country. A creative alternative to student research reports and a time-saver for teachers since the activities and resource material are contained in one book.
AND
2. Study of Ancient China: A Multi-book Approach by 4 Little Penguins
Curious about the Silk Route? Wondering how Chinese writing developed? Look no further! This multi-book study on Ancient China will answer those questions and many others! Daily life, architecture, warfare, science and technology, trade, and much more is covered during this study. By the end of this course a deep understanding of Ancient China should be evident.
3. Giveaway Three
1. History Scribe – Ancient China by Westvon Publishing
Children learn as they draw and write history…your children bring history alive with their own creative hands! Learn about the facinating history of China, through the Shang Dynasty up to the Ming Dynasty! The Great Wall, the Silk Route, Inventions and much more. Help with your timeline studies. Includes over 30 pages to illustrate and narrate. All History Scribe Books include a couple blank pages for any special topics you’d like to cover and maps of the region covered.
AND
2. China Unit Study by Homeschool Learning Network
In this unit, we will learn about ancient Chinese dynasties and ancient Chinese religion, writing, food, folklore, geography and government. Lesson plans include: Vocabulary, WebQuests, Timeline, Paper Making, Cutting and Calligraphy, Philosophy, A Mathematical Journey Through the Chinese Calendar, Folktales, Stories and Legends and more.
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Jimmie – loved the summary of Christmas in China. One thing that we think is funny (sad?) is that several of our local friends now put up Christmas trees with lots of beautiful “gifts” underneath. But they are just empty boxes with pretty wrapping paper.
We’ve also totally confused them because in OUR family, we do stockings and exchange gifts on St. Nick’s Day, not on Christmas. They say “But aren’t you American?” as if ALL people from the USA do things exactly the same. Though why shouldn’t we, since we all look alike!
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas season (clear into March)
~Jo (just a few hours away from you)
Hey Jo! It’s great to see you around here! That’s funny about all Americans being identical. I often have to remind people that mainland China is as big as continental USA. There are huge regional differences. And add to that our increased freedoms and mixed cultural heritages, and it’s hard to say what is “normal” for an American.
Hey, I forgot to tell you…some village friends raised a bunch of turkeys for us this year. They are semi-organic free-range (in other words, they run loose and eat whatever they can find). We had one for Thanksgiving and it was delicious. Do you need a Christmas turkey?
I find it interesting that Christmas has become such a pervasive secular holiday throughout the world. Even largely non-Chrisitan China doesn’t overlook the commercial aspect of the season.
Isn’t it fascinating? I can’t explain it except that things Western are “cool.” And who doesn’t love a holiday?
Inflatable hammers and bats?!? Does the Christmas Eve apple come from the fruit Eve takes (often depicted as an apple in art) from the forbidden tree?
Oh no, no association with Eve.
Christmas Eve is called Ping An Ye — literally Peace Night in Chinese. The character Ping in peace is also used for ping guo — apple. So it’s more of a pun on peace. And apples are abundant, cheap, and practical.
What a wonderful lead into the Gospel message!
Would you mind explaining more about Christians in China? I have heard that to attend certain churches one has to have a foreign passport? I have been reading your blog with interest for years. We are former homeschoolers, living in the US, but we will be in China adopting our new daughter next week.
There are international fellowships that cater to foreigners residing in China. To attend THOSE, you may have to verify that you are, in fact, a foreigner. (Needless to say, no one looks too closely at a passport of someone who looks like ME.)
First comment! Exciting. I love that you’re participating in this. I wanted to talk about Christmas Around the World with my kids and I didn’t know what to do until I found out about this. Thanks for participating! I didn’t realize that Catholicism and Protestantism were even recognized in China. Are there any special foods eaten only at Christmas for those celebrating it? Thanks for the information. Love it!
No special Christmas foods. Possibly the traditions of Chinese New Year carry over into Christmas for Christians giving parties — bowls of seeds (sunflower, pumpkin), candies, and fruits (dried or fresh oranges).
I am surprised they haven’t started yet and they leave up the decorations after Christmas! Here in Japan, they are already up and most places end Christmas celebration immediately after Dec. 25.
Japan is a different world. Although I’ve never been, I can safely say that it is far more time conscious society. Things (outside Shang hai and Beijing) move very, very slowly. Where I live, people are known for a laid back lifestyle. NO ONE hurries or consults a calendar.
Enjoyed the bit about silly string. Need to put that on my Christmas shopping list. I love Christmas in other countries. In Japan, where I am right now, one needs to make a reservation for what has become the traditional Christmas meal —KFC. I confess, fried chicken for Christmas makes me laugh. May I ask, will you be able to get turkey in China for Christmas, if you desire?
My initial answer is NO, no turkeys. But of course if you hunt long enough and are willing to travel or pay a lot of money, sure, you can get one. Last year I had a friend who lives in a big city with lots of foreigners buy a 12 lb turkey for about $50. It was freezer burned and tough. We normally skip the tradition and eat Beijing Duck instead.
Do you find living in a place that doesn’t make a big deal of Christmas is helpful in focussing on the real meaning of Christmas?
Absolutely! My first years here really revealed a lot to me about what Christmas meant to me. I thought it was all about Jesus. But when I was sincerely missing the fruitcakes, the shopping, the wrapping paper, the gift exchanges, etc. I knew that my heart was wrapped up in a lot of carnal things. I’m very thankful for the opportunity to see that in my own heart and to have the years to root it out.
Thank you for sharing, we have some friends currently living in China, it will be fun for my kids to see a bit of what it might be like for them. Not surprized at the cultural icons (santa hats, trees etc.) and a chance to celebrate being picked up, especially since many of our christmas decorations are probably being produced in China thus exposing people to that side of the celebration. Is there any reflection or use of the more religous decorations like stars, wisemen, shephards or even a creche or soemthing mixed in (even by mistake)? because I am guessing it is only the secular which is if mostly what you see here in the states sometimes too.
No, unfortunately, the decorations with spiritual depth to them must all be exported. I’ve never seen them here. (Oh sure there is the occasional exception. But as a rule, no. It’s all Santa.)
My husband, three children and I previously lived in a very remote area in China. I enjoyed your summary of Christmas there! It reminded me of our own adventures trying to find a tree (in the “stationary” store on Dec 22nd, of course!), decorate it (with cellphone charms and dough ornaments), and gather all our friends around it… And, yes, despite all the extra effort + creativity it required to “make Christmas”, we did have so much more of a chance to focus on the true meaning! Thank you for sharing!!
I am sure that your China Christmas is one you remember fondly in comparison to more traditional ones back home.
Great article. I lived in Taiwan as a child. We loved the New year celebrations. I don’t remember any decorations then; it was strictly an American holiday.
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I am surprised that the decorations and things were still up in March, here (USA) it is probably fuel buy commercialism of buying the next thing for the next holiday, but things are usually down buy New Years Day.
Hitting each other to celebrate Christmas? Interesting. I also find it fascinating that, while you can’t purchase the decorations until mid-December, the decorations may remain up until March! Wow! Thank you for blogging about Christmas in China!
Note to self, don’t let my boys find out about the inflatable hammer tradition.
I was wondering what traditions there might be, and think it’s interesting they leave the decorations up so long.
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Well, you all know someone in your area who leaves the Christmas lights up on their house till February or March don’t you? Same thing, just far more common here.
It also may be a carry-over of their own New Year celebrations. I notice that shops often put up new Chinese New Year decorations that stay up until the NEXT new year. It’s not so much what we could consider New Year decorations as that the New Year is the time to change the decorations to something fresh.
I love the inflateable bats and hammers. I just might have to a put that in our Christmas Coutndown Activities this year. We try to celebrate some traditions of other countries. Thanks for sharing!
I’m sure your children will love it!
Hi,
Great blog! My kids have Irish/Chinese cousins living in Hong Kong and it was fun to learn a little more about how Christmas is celebrated there. Love the fake snow and tinsel idea:). We’ll have to ask them more as well. One day plan to visit!
Well, Hong Kong, although officially part of China, celebrates Christmas far differently. There is a much higher percentage of Christians there too. And I don’t really need to say that the Western influence is worlds greater.
That is so cool. I think its funny that the kids use the inflatable hammers and bats to hit each other. Although probably a lot of fun too. lol Christmas in China sounds very interesting.
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Jimmie, I was happy to find your blog this morning. We are homeschoolers that have an adopted Chinese daughter and we will be in China again in February to get our son. I plan of becoming a follower now! I was interested to learn that there a secular Christmas feel in regions not frequented by Western tourists. I knew that hotels in Guangzhou, where the adoptive parents stay, put up Christmas decorations. But, I didn’t realize this would be seen through-out China. Odd.
I can’t explain why Chinese non-Christians would “celebrate” Christmas in any way. It is inexplicable other than it appearing “cool” or fun.
WOW! Very interesting! I don’t blame the lack of a traditional Christian Christmas being celebrated there. With only about 1% being Christian it would be difficult to “sell it”. I think that some of the “traditions” that the kids do are funny! My kids would love those ideas–inflatable hammers! It is very interesting to read and learn about traditions in China. I have taught my children a Christmas around the world unit before, but never thought to teach it without the Christian idea of it.
Thanks for sharing!
Debra
I was actually surprised that any aspect of Christianity is considered to be state approved. I knew there was a very small population of Christians in China, but I was always under the impression they were mostly underground.
Both are here. Side by side. Two streams of expression.
Enjoyed reading about Christmas in China. I think I will put silly string in the kids stockings this year and start a new tradition.
Blessings
Paula
I found it interesting that they sell Christmas decorations until nearly spring. Is this because they leave them out until they sell or because they take that long to put them back in inventory?
Jimmie ~ thanks so much for this great post… it was a great way to start our morning… The kids loved hearing about christmas in China and we were all fascinated that they use inflatable hammers and bats and hit each other.. I also liked that they leave up there decorations until March or so…(great for the busy family)..*L*
We are starting our “Christmas Around the World” unit this week and I look forward to the other posts…
Thanks again and have a blessed Christmas!!
Hi Jimmie:) First off, I wanted to let you know that when I was looking into lapbooking and notebooking your blog was very helpful:) I love reading it! Thanks for participating in the CurrClick giveaways:) I really enjoyed learning the fact that the Chinese don’t put out decorations until mid-Dec. (something that kind of overwhelms me with the commercialism of Christmas here in the states). I also thought it was funny about them hitting each other with inflatable hammers:) Thanks for sharing your blog with us all:)
Oops, I got talking to my kids and skipped the part about the Chinese leaving their making up for not getting out the Christmas decorations early by leaving them out so long!
I’m interested in the way the government separates Protestantism and Catholicism. Do they think that Catholics worship the pope? Do you know the reasoning for not lumping them together as Christians? Is it challenging to find a Christian community in China? Is there much Party interference in the free practice of faith? Thanks for sharing. There is so much I want to share with my two children who were born in China and now live in the US. Sometimes it is hard to know where to start.
Well, I don’t want to fight the reformation here on the blog, but there are huge differences between Catholicism and Protestantism which I think warrant a clear division in official sanction. Chinese Catholics are independent of the Pope. This gets into a lot of politics, and you’d best do some research on your own. As I said before, there is freedom to believe what you want. But expression and proselytizing are regulated.
Thanks for the overview, Jimmie. It doesn’t surprise me that Christmas is not widely celebrated in China, but I had no idea about the silly Christmas Eve traditions among kids. It does sound like fun, but I think we’ll stick to our current traditions.
Learning about different countries and how they celebrate the holiday is fascinating! What is the name of Santa Claus/Father Christmas?
Good question, Stephanie! He’s called “Christmas Old Man.”
Fake snow! That is funny! I have never used fake snow because we always seem to have an abundance of the real stuff here in Kansas. But to see a box of fake snow by the tinsel was, how do I say it, odd? Not that using fake snow is odd; it just seems the “white christmas” idea is so American.
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Well, Christmas is a winter holiday.
I mean, for those in the Northern Hemisphere as China and USA both are.
I found it interesting that they leave their decorations up as late as March! It certainly adds new meaning to those in America who leave them up all year! My son is fascinated by China and would LOVE to use these materials!
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