I was here working over Christmas in 2007 and as Christmas that year fell during the middle of the week I had to work and it seemed a little odd at the time but was ok as I could celebrate after work. The evening was spent with many Chinese co-workers in a restaurant, they were happy to join in with the festivities.

Onto Christmas 2010, on the 24th I was working as usual and as my working day finishes at 11.15 am I was taken out to a lunch courtesy of my co-workers. The headmaster of the school where I teach was also present and he was happy to see my glass of local alcohol was never far from full. I had been told the meal was for me as they were happy with the work I do at the school and would like me to continue for another year.

Previous to my arrival no foreign teacher had remained here for longer than a year, many leaving far quicker than that. I will admit there have been times when I could easily have quit, but quitting because something is not quite to my liking is not my style and once the problems were ironed out, or covered over, things improved.

So the Christmas meal was just a way to soften me up to agree to stay, I had already agreed in principal to stay and as thankful as I was for the food laid on for my benefit (and the alcohol) I was going to stay anyway if asked. During the middle of the afternoon I escaped to go and rest and sleep off the alcoholic consumption. I have never enjoyed drinking during the day as it seems to affect me more so than it does at nighttime.

After a few hours of sleep I was woken by a knock at my door and my phone ringing. I was to be invited out again, the Chinese do not officially celebrate Christmas but they do like to have a reason to celebrate. So by taking me along they were helping me to celebrate this western occasion and not doing so just for their own cause. I do enjoy an occasional drink but am getting too old for drinking in excess. I am hoping today to have a quiet day off as many locals here have to work on this day that is at the moment like any other in this country.

Happy Christmas to one and all, wherever you may be in the world.

Bed of Snow

Instead of tucking a traditional tree skirt around the base of your tree, try a sheet of white cotton quilt batting instead. Use glitter to transform this soft, snow-like cloth into a sparkling sheet perfect for tucking presents beneath the branches.

Winter-White Tree

Whether flocked or ordinary, your tree’s ornaments can create a “white Christmas” in the forest or the chic style of the city. Explore a winter wonderland using glittery white snowflake ornaments, white lights, and clear or white icicle ornaments dangling from the branches. Frosted pine cones and white mushroom birds complete this forest scene.

For a more contemporary look, use shiny white balls with silvery accents or create your own white ornaments using scissors, white poster board, glue, and glitter. Trace your favorite designs from cookie cutters or stencils, then cut and decorate with white and silver glitter. Other cool white ornaments include white sea shells (simply glue a ribbon to the back) or white doily snowflakes made from starched antique linens.

Snowball Scenes

Form snowball pyramid cones, ornaments, or wreaths using Styrofoam balls with a little glue and glitter. The large ones are perfectly sized for representing snowballs; smaller ones make perfect chains for trees, with few snowflakes strung here and there. Form a wreath for your door or wall using glue, wire, glitter, and a little snowflake or greenery tinsel.

Celebrate a white Christmas no matter how warm your climate (or how deep the snow is outside) using a few creative ideas. Combine your own imagination with the basics to come up with new “white Christmas” combinations that bring to life the magic of a winter wonderland.