As December approached we began to feel concerned that there would not be much of a Christmas feel to Shanghai apart from the decorations in Ikea. However, we had forgotten the fact that the Chinese embrace anything where they can put up a few decorations. Shanghai was decorated and felt very Christmassy.
Wherever we went we seemed to bump in to Father Christmas. We first spotted him at a Bazzar, then at the Dulwich Winter Fair and he also made a visit (with his sleigh) to DUCKs.
At the beginning of December there was a 'Carols by Candlelight' at DUCKs. Luckily the weather was good enough for it to go ahead outside and we were treated to a range of carols and Christmas songs. William and Oliver enjoyed it very much, especially the surprise visit from Father Christmas!
Oliver and William finished school for Christmas on the 9th December and we spent two weeks Christmas shopping, making decorations and Christmas food, having haircuts,and going to soft play and the aquarium.
It was with trepidation that on the second weekend of December we made our way to a German Christmas Market. Having been to the real thing we were nervous and had low expectations. However, to our surprise it was excellent. It felt very Christmassy and had lots of stalls selling wooden decorations that you would expect to see in Germany. There were also a range of food stalls selling sausages and saurkraut and gluvein!
The following day found us at a five star hotel in Shanghai having breakfast with Father Christmas! The grotto in Basildon will never be the same again! There was a delicious range of food and a chance to chat with FC in his grotto.
Sam finished work on the 23 December and we had a family trip to the wet market to stock up on fruit and veg for Christmas. After splashing out about £7 for it all we felt able to treat the boys to a Shanghai pancake for 10p and a ride on a helicopter for 20p! Although the helicopter did look like it had seen better days it did work and attracted a small audience!
On Christmas Eve we awoke to the shout of 'Father Christmas hasn't been'! After a minor panic that we had somehow missed a day, we explained to the boys that they were a day early! We had friends over for lunch and then after putting William and Oliver to bed Sam and I headed out to the pub - a novelty for both of us! We took it easy, which was wise as at 7 am the next morning Oliver and William burst in carrying stockings - Father Christmas had finally been!!
Our Christmas morning was very relaxed. After opening stockings and putting our 12lb turkey in the oven we relaxed over smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for breakfast, drank champagne and played with the pressies from Father Christmas.
After a lovely lunch at which we barely dented the turkey we went out for a walk and then came home to open family pressies.
Sam then had the following week off work. The first few days were spent with friends, where we were treated to a concert by Ria, William and Oliver, going swimming and eating leftovers!
We then decided to venture out and visited the Christmas display in the Hilton.
Followed by the Jing'an Temple which was turned in to a plastics factory during the Cultural Revolution and has spent the last 10 years being restored. It is interesting to note that, although in 10 years the area we live in, most of Shanghai's skyscrapers and 8 underground lines have been built, the temple restoration is still ongoing!
After wishing Grandma a happy birthday
New Year was celebrated with friends in Shanghai where we thought we were being shot at at midnight when all the fire crackers were set off!
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