Huanying Santa! A Very Merry Beijing Christmas
Christmas is just around the corner and many foreigners in Beijing are anxiously preparing for the long flight home in order to spend Christmas with their families. Still, there are many more that will spend yet another Beijing-style Christmas here with friends.
Here Comes Santa Claus to China !
This time of year, many westerners, perhaps Americans more so, are familiar with the popular tune in many a store, "Here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane..." Santa visits children all over the world on Christmas Eve, and more recently, has also added some Chinese children to his list. But where did he come from anyway?
Christmas Facts
We all know that one version of Christmas is about a fat, jolly man dressed in a red and white suit, who comes out of the chimney to leave gifts under a tree. But there might be some other fun facts you didn't know about Christmas.
Without Family in Beijing, a Bittersweet Christmas Feast
Christmas dinner in Beijing is a time for chirpy, multilingual gatherings and surrounding ourselves with new, yet close friends around the table laden with way too much western food and drinks that represent a bittersweet taste of home.
• 'Tis the Season to Be Charitable in Beijing
This 2010 not only poignantly marks the end of a decade, but for some, the holidays and the New Year also punctuate a time not just for resolutions, but also a time to give something back to society by doing a bit of charity work.
• Different Holidays
For people from different cultures, they all have their festivals. Our reporter has talked with a few CRI staff from different cultural backgrounds to find out what is the most important holiday for them.
Flexibility is Key to Recreating Christmas in Beijing
Fear not, dear expat, tearful one afraid of not being able to recreate the Christmas of your fondest memories. Beijing makes it possible for you to still get the festive, Christmas feel without leaving the country. It's simply about compromise.
From tango classes and Nordic film festivals to Indian food, Beijing is an integrated city with growing international attributes, including one of the West's greatest delicacies ¡ª wine.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have family in nearby proximity on Christmas, so making your 2009 Christmas dinner in Beijing count is essential.
X'mas Carol Ebeneezer Scrooge Hits Beijing Stage
And to help usher in the big day here in Beijing, the city is watching Xmas related plays organized by the 'Beijing Playhouse'. Nillah Nyakoa, went along to check it out.
• X'mas Carol Ebeneezer Scrooge Hits Beijing Stage
And to help usher in the big day here in Beijing, the city is watching Xmas related plays organized by the 'Beijing Playhouse'. Nillah Nyakoa, went along to check it out.
•  listen Celine Dion The Christmas Song •  listen Red Hot Chilli Peppers: Little Drummer Boy •  listen John Lennon: Happy Xmas War Is Over •  listen Elton & Rosie: White Xmas
Xmas Tunes with Jingle Cats and Dogs
Jingle Cats' new CD is their original debut album that blasted onto the Billboard Charts when it was first released in 1993. It is regarded as an all-time classic Christmas album featuring 20 songs sung by real cats.
• Great Christmas Films to Check Out this Holiday
After overeating turkey and ham on Christmas and sipping cinnamon sprinkled eggnog by the fireplace, traditionally, a good movie or a story becomes a fantastic idea.
• The New Year Film Season, a Blessing for Moviegoers
The traditional New Year Film season in China begins in December and lasts for 70 days. But this year, the season started almost a month earlier with over 50 movies.
• Love Actually-by Richard Curtis • How the Grinch Stole Christmas-by Dr. Seuss • Santa Claus the Movie-by Jeannot Szwarc • A Christmas Carol- by Charles Dickens
 
Interview with Santa!
It's an extremely busy time at Santa's workshop at the North Pole. Jules Page recently flew out to the North Pole to catch up with Santa in an exclusive CRI interview to find out if everything is on track for his biggest night of the year...
Christmas Market
See Also