Christmas in Shanghai

The Chinese and especially the Shanghainese like all things related to western glitz and glam. Because of the long history trading with western countries and their many years of influence, Shanghai has adopted many western ways and finds excuses to decorate and add sparkle by adopting the commercial aspect of some favorite western holidays. So many major international companies have offices here which has brought a large number of westerners living in Shanghai  all of which have fed this great curiosity of western culture. Of course the Chinese are great at adapting everything and Christmas is a good example. Christmas in Shanghai is like being in a Hallmark card advertisement. When roaming around Shanghai this December I took several pictures of Christmas making its appearance. In the down town areas international companies put up Christmas decorations. In areas where many expats live, many of the local shops that cater to the westerners also have Christmas displays. Paulaner Beer Company which has 5 restaurant locations in Shanghai has a traditional German Christmas market over one weekend in December.  There are no religious references, no mangers  etc. It is very superficial and really just another way to have people buy more stuff. Sound similar?   

local salon where I get my hair cut

shopping center a block from where we live

Heineken's display

Cartier

click on pic to enlarge

at a street stall

another street stall, featuring the new x-mass colors

at the high end mall

Paulaner who serves great beer and very good German food

visited by Chinese and westerners alike

there are many Germans in Shanghai