Christmas in China - an interesting time!

Christmas in China was quite surprising for me. I found the Chinese very curious about Western culture and they have copied our Christmas celebrations in a big way.

The Chinese may not understand why we have Christmas but this doesn't stop them from putting up Christmas decorations to celebrating.

The Chinese themselves love to join in.

They understand it is an important time for Westerners and go out of their way to join in.

The Chinese love to dress up, decorate and party.

Just have a look at the Chinese New Year - color, celebrations, music and dance. They are used to it.

Christmas is another reason to celebrate and party because that is what we do in the west

Most of the Chinese do not understand the Christian significance of Christmas - much the same as many of us do not understand the significance behind the Chinese New Year.

Doesn't stop us from celebrating with our Chinese friends though!

Christmas decorations begin appearing in late November particularly in hotels where Westerners are staying.

But also shops, department stores and other buildings have Christmas trees, Christmas lights and other decorations.

It was not uncommon to see lights draped in trees and these were left up for the Chinese New Year which follows about a month later.

Many Chinese people like to get involved - even children!

This little Chinese girl is dressed as an angel - much the same as Western children do all over the world.

This particular occasion was in a Western Hotel in Chongqing.

You would not find Christmas decorations in a Chinese home but certainly you do in public places like shopping centers and hotels.

Hotels particularly like to embrace the Christmas spirit probably to make foreign tourists feel at home.

So you could argue it is a business decision but I found the Chinese like to celebrate for any possible reason.

The Chinese people I dealt with had an endearing habit of trying to make Westerners feel at home - even in Sichuan which is not really part of the Western tourist trail.

At the hotel I was living at, the staff formed a choir for Christmas. They wore Christmas costumes and sang a variety of Christmas songs - just to make us feel at home!

These Chinese girls working at a Western Hotel in Chongqing joined in the Christmas spirit.

Part of their job was to serve customers dressed in Christmas uniform.

Some seemed to enjoy their role - others regarded it as just part of their job!

However, the Chinese do not have a national holiday on Christmas Day. Christmas in China for me meant I had to work!