Inviting friends and neighbors to an open house party is part of
Christmas traditions for westerners. Now, many expats in Shanghai
have brought the customs to their new neighborhood.
A Canadian English teacher at a school in Shanghai's Pudong
district decided to host a Christmas party in her home to invite
her Chinese neighbors to experience an authentic western festival
this year.
Three weeks before the party, she began to write invitation
cards by herself. According to traditions passed down to her, she
prepared wine and homemade food to serve to her Chinese friends.
They sang Christmas carols and got to know each other better
through the party.
Over 100 people attended her Christmas party. One of the guests,
Wang Kuiying, says the party let her understand the real happiness
brought by Christmas.
(CRI December 21, 2006)