In the Western world, December means Christmas, but… Does the festive period take over China in the same way? The short answer is: not exactly.

In mainland China, Christmas is not an official holiday. December 25 is just an ordinary day; schools and offices remain open, and festive family gatherings aren’t really a thing. In fact,  seeing as it’s a Christian holiday and China is a secular, atheist country, most Chinese people don’t celebrate Christmas at all – Christianity and other religions just aren’t that popular there.

Marketing or tradition?

However, particularly in large cities, you do often find shopping centers, squares, and other establishments decked out with lights, Christmas trees, and various forms of Santa Claus. In reality, this “festive cheer” is more of a marketing ploy than a religious celebration, designed to draw in shoppers with special discounts.

In recent years, young Chinese people have started a new trend of exchanging small gifts, taking photos under the Christmas tree, and so on. But, again, it’s meant to be something romantic and fun, not necessarily traditional.

Christmas made in China

The irony is that although China doesn’t celebrate Christmas… A large part of the world’s Christmas decorations are, in fact, made there! The city of Yiwu (义乌), known for its massive wholesale markets, produces more than half of the world’s Christmas decorations: baubles, garlands, hats, trees, lights… it’s very likely that the ornaments in your home came from a factory in this very city. 

Christmas vocabulary in Chinese

圣诞节 [shèngdàn jié]: Christmas
圣诞老人 [shèngdàn lǎorén]: Santa Claus
圣诞树 [shèngdàn shù]: Christmas tree
礼物 [lǐwù]: gift
圣诞节装饰 [shèngdàn jié zhuāngshì]: Christmas decorations
圣诞灯 [shèngdàn dēng]: Christmas lights
圣诞节快乐！[shèngdàn jié kuàilè]: Merry Christmas!
平安夜 [píngān yè]: Christmas Eve 
圣诞颂歌 [shèngdàn sònggē]: jingle

In short, if you’re in China over the “holidays”, don’t expect any big celebrations… but if you’re in need of some festive, Christmas cheer, the shopping districts in the major cities are the place to be!