CHRISTMAS IS SEEN AND CELEBRATED IN MANY PLACES IN CHINA TODAYClick here to download and read a great short story about Christmas in English!
It is so exciting to see China decorated for Christmas. To see a slideshow of pictures of Chinese shopping malls, coffee shops, and other places, beautifully decorated for Christmas, click here. 
CANDY CANES 圣诞糖果手杖
Candy canes are a favorite delight at Christmas time. If you would like to see the story behind the delicious candy cane, click here. If you want to try them, check your local supermarket. How will you celebrate Christmas this year? 
A hotel in Beijing decked out for Christmas
This Chrismtas, give your self a free e-book. To receive the free Christmas-themed book, INNKEEPER'S SON, click here.
VISIT BRONNER'S CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND
If you love Christmas and happen to be visiting the Midwestern part of the United States, one of the places you won't want to miss is Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Bronner's is a huge store, open all year, that specializes in Christmas. You can buy Christmas trees, cards, wreaths, and all kinds of Christmas decorations. They even have a cafe where you can try some great local snacks. Even if you don't want to buy anything, it's worth taking the time to explore the store (and try not to get lost - it's a really big place!) and take some great pictures.
If you cannot actually go to Michigan, you tour Bronner's via their website (just click here) or take their visual tour (click here). If you would like to read about Bronner's story click here. Or, just enjoy the pictures below that I took on my recent visit to Bronner's. 
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IMAGES OF CHRISTMAS: What are Christmas trees, Christmas gifts, and all the other Christmas images about? Click here for a free copy of Images of Christmas, a useful compilation of resources to to help you understand the origins and meanings of these and other Christmas images.
CHRISTMAS TIMES NEWSLETTER
To sign up for a great online English Christmas newsletter, click here CHRISTMAS VOCABULARY 圣诞花环 - wreath 圣诞袜 - stocking 圣诞老人 - Santa Clause 诞生 - Nativity Christmas articles: click the articles you want to see
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Christmas Memories Hometown Newspaper Christmas Article Don't let the Christmas Thief Steal Christmas The Longest Christmas Season Christmas Shopping in Beijing Coffee Mania Christmas 
If you think your listening skills are pretty good, or if you would just like to take the challenge of practicing advanced level English listening, try these exciting opportunities:
1. An American man's speech about Christmas Joy (click here). This is real native American English from New York, and it isn't slowed down for Chinese listeners, so don't be discouraged if you have to listen several times to catch the meaning. 2. International Christmas tales: "Tales" are not true stories, but this is still an excellent listening opportunity. These tales are geared for children, so they might me slightly easier to understand than the Christmas Joy message. Click here to enjoy. 3. The original historical Christmas Story, read directly from Scripture. This is where Christmas all started: A must listening for anyone who wants to learn about the origins of the holiday. Click here and enjoy. SOME FUN & INTERESTING WAYS YOU CAN CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS IN CHINA
More than ever before in history, Chinese people are celebrating Christmas. Some don't really know how Christmas is celebrated around the world, and many are unaware of the real meaning of this holiday. But, that doesn't mean you can't celebrate Christmas right here in China. The question is this; How will you celebrate Christmas? What will you do? Here are some great suggestions you can try/
1. Hold a Christmas party in your apartment or dorm. Invite friends. Decorate your place with a Christmas tree and other Christmas items. Some of the suggestions below can be included in your party. 2. Exchange Christmas gifts with some friends. In order to not embarrass anyone, it is usually best to set a limit on the cost of the gifts. That way you don't have one person giving a 10 RMB gift but receiving a 500 RMB one. There are many ways you can do this. One practical approach is to put all of the names of the people who will participate in your gift exchange in a box. Each person draws out a name, and they buy a gift for that person. If anyone draws their own name, they must put it back into the box and draw out another one. 3. Sing Christmas Carols (songs). Most Christmas carols are available in both Chinese and English. You can do this with your family or a group of friends in your home or outside. "Going caroling" is a tradition where small groups of people go to neighborhoods or public places and sing for the people there. 4. Give gifts to poor people. As they say, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Helping other people naturally makes us feel better, and it's what the spirit of Christmas is all about. 5. Attend a Church service. Most Churches in China have a special service on Christmas eve. Just remember to arrive early because most of them are crowded. When all of the seats are full, they may have to close the doors. 6. Whether you are alone or with family or friends, you can sip on your favorite tea, coffee or hot chocolate and enjoy reading some Christmas stories or watching Christmas videos. To see a free video about Christmas, click here. 7. Relax in the Christmas environment of a coffee shop. You can do this alone or with friends. Many of China's coffee shops provide a real Christmas environment during December. Click here to see some great pictures of Christmas in cafes. 8 Or, just sit at home (or in a coffee shop) and let your imagination take you to a nostalgic Christmas place as you enjoy looking at pictures of Christmas in Beijing on the this picture slide show. 
Christmas is celebrated many places in the world, but Christmas traditions and celebrations are not the same everywhere. Click here to find out how Christmas is celebrated in different countries around the world.
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