Christmastime in Xi'an

You may be wondering what Christmas is like in China. Well it's not officially celebrated, as Red worked on Christmas Day and Yellow had Chinese class that day. However, it does seem that there is some kind of celebration as you find Santa Clause all around the city, especially in the shopping malls. Although, you won't find a nativity or a baby Jesus or anything like that. There were lots of crazy sales on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. As we've wandered into stores these last days we have found large crowds and tried to leave as quickly as possible. 

This is our first Christmas "on our own" as a couple away from both of our families. It is also our first Christmas in country that doesn't celebrate Christmas. Although it was quite different, we did have a chance to celebrate with Red's students on Christmas Eve and with Yellow's classmates on Christmas Day. We've also enjoyed skyping with friends and family and now are looking forward to the end of the semester that is only 2 weeks away!

This is a Santa Clause we found at our school's grocery store. For some reason, the Chinese think that Santa Clause has some hidden musical talents that we weren't aware of. We found him with a saxophone in hand all around the city.  Maybe he not only brings gifts but serenades children on Christmas Eve as well?

 

There was even a German Christmas market downtown with this interesting tree topped with a German cookware brand.

 

The vendors at that market were mostly selling expensive cookware, electronics, and even apartments.

  

We even got a chance to get a picture with the man himself playing his tunes.

 

 

This is a mall that is very close to where we live that has quite the entrance to invite shoppers into their doors.

 

 We've also seen a few children all bundled up in their winter wear, but of course with their "slit pants" which are often used in China in place of diapers. We are wondering how those cheeks are dealing with the cold weather...