December at the Embassy House

Santa was a popular fellow in Beijing in December. Beijing rivaled any city in the States for lights, decorations and gift buying. Nativities were also displayed. Christmas was more of a commercial endeavor than it was celebrated as the birth of Christ. Even so, there was generally a happy spirit everywhere.


The "real" Santa read "The Night Before Christmas" to the children that live in our building. Families that live here are from all over the world, France, Germany, Sweden, China, Korea, United States, Mexico, South America, Norway, etc. even Waterloo, Iowa.


There were tables with appetizers for adults and children.


We grabbed the guy with the big camera and asked if he would take our picture. It turned out rather nice for an unplanned photo.