Are you celebrating Christmas in China? We’ve gathered the complete guide for Chinese Christmas traditions to help you out – including how they celebrate, gifting etiquette, and more.
To help you explore their Christmas traditions, this article is organized into:
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Unique Christmas Traditions in China
Only about 1% of the Chinese population identifies as Christian, so Christmas is not widely recognized as a religious holiday. Instead, it is often seen as a secular occasion similar to Valentine’s Day, focusing on social gatherings and gift exchanges rather than religious observance.
- Christmas Trees: In China, Christmas trees are referred to as “Trees of Light” and are typically decorated with colorful lanterns, flowers, and red paper chains symbolizing happiness. These trees are more commonly found in urban areas and shopping malls than in private homes.
- The Apple Tradition: A notable custom involves giving apples on Christmas Eve, known as “Ping’an Ye” (平安夜), which translates to “peaceful night.” The word for apple, “píngguǒ” (苹果), sounds similar to the word for peace. As a result, apples are wrapped in decorative paper and given as gifts, often inscribed with messages of love or peace.
- Santa Claus: Santa is known as “Shengdan Laoren” (圣诞老人), meaning “Old Christmas Man.” Unlike the traditional image of Santa with elves, he is often depicted with female companions called his “sisters.” Interestingly, this Chinese version of Santa sometimes plays musical instruments like the saxophone, adding a unique flair to his character.
How to Say “Merry Christmas” in Chinese?
Extend Christmas wishes in Mandarin Chinese with the phrase, “Shengdan Kuaile” (圣诞快乐).
Do you need more variety of Christmas wishes? Here is our full article on Christmas Wishes in Chinese.
Chinese Christmas Gifting Etiquette
Gifting is an important part of Chinese Christmas culture. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:
Do’s in Gifting
- Offer with Both Hands: Always present and receive gifts with both hands, as this signifies respect and sincerity in Chinese culture.
- Wrap Gifts Thoughtfully: Use attractive wrapping, preferably in red or gold, as these colors symbolize good luck and prosperity. Avoid plain packaging like market bags.
- Include a Card: Adding a greeting card is a nice touch, but avoid writing in red ink, which is associated with bad luck and death.
- Choose Appropriate Gifts: Opt for gifts that are culturally appreciated, such as:
- Apples: Especially popular on Christmas Eve due to the phonetic similarity between “apple” (苹果, píngguǒ) and “peaceful night” (平安夜, Píng’ān yè)25.
- Wine or Cognac: These symbolize good health and are generally well-received5.
- Local Specialties: Items that represent your home region can be thoughtful gifts
Don’ts in Gifting
- Avoid Clocks: Gifting a clock is considered ominous as it sounds like attending a funeral. This is viewed as wishing someone an early death.
- Steer Clear of Shoes: The word for shoes (鞋, xié) can imply evil or separation, making them inappropriate gifts.
- No Pears: Similar to shoes, pears (梨, lí) sound like “to part,” which is associated with separation or divorce.
- Refrain from Giving Sets of Four: The number four (四, sì) sounds like the word for death (死, sǐ), so gifts in sets of four should be avoided.
Shopping Festivals
Christmas has become synonymous with shopping in many urban areas. Retailers often host grand sales and promotional events, capitalizing on the holiday spirit to attract consumers. Many people go shopping with friends and family, similar to Black Friday sales in the West.
Celebrating with Friends
Young adults often celebrate Christmas by hosting parties or gatherings with friends, emphasizing social connections rather than familial gatherings. These events typically feature music, dancing, and festive food, mirroring aspects of New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Conclusion
These celebrations illustrate how Christmas in China has evolved into a festive occasion marked by social gatherings, commercial activities, and the blending of cultural elements. Have a happy holiday!
Sophie is an etiquette coach who has the rare ability to make the intricacies of etiquette approachable and fun. She travels around the world coaching families, individuals, corporates and independent schools. Sophie has honed her craft without losing her easy-going charm.