By Sarah Krasicki
As a Christmas-lover, planning for the festive season well before December is in my DNA, but I know it’s not the norm. This festive season, however, with many of us in a funk about missing family, friends and travel back home (again!), I urge you to start planning your Christmas early. Looking forward to something is a must for our sanity, so read on for important tips on how to celebrate Christmas in Shanghai.
WeChat to the rescue!
If you’re not sure where to start, join one of the Christmas WeChat groups for inspiration on everything Christmas!
The Christmas WeChat groups (there are two!) have been going strong since first created in 2017. The chats are a safe space to ask, and share, anything and everything Christmas related.
Less than a week into November, with Halloween decorations lurking on the mantle, the Christmas chats ploughed headlong into the festive season. Talk of Christmas markets and turkey dinners, where to buy Christmas trees and which Taobao links are the best for personalised Christmas stockings are just some of the discussions we’ve seen so far.
What to expect in the lead up to Christmas?
I’ll admit, this November feels very different to previous years. Like many of you, I was starting to worry if there would be any Christmas markets this season at all. I am happy to report that many schools and venues have been working tirelessly behind the scenes trying their hardest to get this years Christmas markets and events up and running. And in the last week or so, I’m excited to see more and more Christmas markets being announced.
Christmas Markets
If you’re in desperate need of some Christmas spirit, visiting a Christmas market is hands down the best way to soak up the festive atmosphere and find your Christmas groove. Sip a cup of mulled wine, or hot chocolate, and peruse baked goods, handcrafted gifts and home decor, all the while listening to Christmas carols. Give it a go, you won’t be disappointed!
Turkey dinners-to-go
It seems more and more restaurants are offering turkey dinners-to-go each year. So why not hang up your apron this Thanksgiving, relax and let one of the hotels or restaurants take the stress out of your festive meal planning. There are plenty of Turkey-to-go options to choose from to suit a range of budgets.
Christmas dinners
In the coming weeks, expect your WeChat to overflow with Christmas Dinner options. The hardest part will be trying to decide where to go! Or if spending Christmas day at home is more your style, you’ll find many of the turkey-to-go deals start in November and carry through until after Christmas so enjoy a relaxing, and cozy, Christmas dinner at home.
Workshops & Kids Camps
If you and the kids are feeling crafty, or if you think you may need a few child-free days over the holiday period, keep an eye out for a range of Workshops & Camps on offer.
Christmas in Shanghai e-Catalogue
As flyers for turkey dinners, crafts, winter camps and gifts start stacking up in your WeChat, you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed in trying to keep up with it all.
The ‘Christmas in Shanghai’ e-catalogue is updated with new flyers every day. Click on the image below and bookmark the link or save it to your favourites so you can refer back to it whenever you need to. We hope this e-catalogue makes your Christmas in Shanghai a little brighter this year.
If you live in Shanghai and would like to join the ‘SH Christmas’ WeChat group, or if you have a Thanksgiving or Christmas flyer to add to the e-catalogue, please email sarah@adventuringwego.com.