It’s the Holiday Season…

Even though we’re far from the US and China is considered an atheist nation, Christmas is still a major holiday here in Shekou due to the high density of expats. Walmart sells decorations, our school decorates (although we can’t explicitly say that they’re Christmas decorations) and lots of stores have specials this time of year. Here’s my list of current holiday “attractions” in Shekou.

Walmart

Walmart has a section by the main door that varies by season. Now, they’re selling lights, trees, and giant moose(s). Last year, mom and I bought a big, table-top tree and some blue and purple garland that matches our living room. This year, we got even more garland and lights. Outside, they sell chestnuts year round, which are especially delicious during the winter because they’re warm, sweet, and soft.

School

Last week, our student counsel put up candy canes along the stairwell, snowflakes, and two trees on the first floor. To raise money for Habitat for Humanity, some friends and I have been selling hot cocoa this week in the mornings. It’s a nice treat to beat the cold outside. Another friend and I are doing a news report about some of the winter holidays celebrated by students at our school, including Hanukah, Christmas, and New Years. We even filmed part of it in front of one of the trees, a white one decorated with red garland and a bright, silver star.

Winter Concert

At the middle school campus, there’s a winter concert yearly. I didn’t go this year, but I was in it last year. We sang lots of holiday songs, including one called “Winter Without Snow,” which was written by our music teacher for our particular situation.

The Malls

There’s a mall right next to my apartment and they’ve put up a few trees. Starbucks has winter drinks, like the black forest latte and sugar cookies in the shapes of trees and snowmen. Another mall that I went to recently was also decorated, and the chocolate store, I think it was Godiva, has winter-themed truffles.

We may seem far away from the places that traditional celebrate this time of year, but the festivities have carried over nonetheless. While I’m excited to be visiting the US for winter break, I feel very at home here right now, and I’ve heard there are even more festivities to come!