As is my custom, Christmas decorating goes overboard in my apartment in China.  Every year, 5 boxes of decorations are hauled down from their resting place on top of the wardrobe and unpacked for display.  Wall hangings, stockings, light strands, tinsel roping, holiday stuffed animals, battery-operated  and wind-up Christmas toys, table top trees, creche scenes, glass votives, window decals – It’s great fun to choose appropriate places for items to go knowing that my Chinese students, friends, colleagues and neighbors will soon get to enjoy them just as much as I.

            My yearly Christmas Open Houses are something that I look forward to every year, so spending several days decorating for Christmas is never a tedious task.   Students come over in small groups to enjoy the festive feeling of Christmas.  My colleagues also have their own special visiting times.  And friends and neighbors are always welcome as well.

 This Year’s Christmas Glitz along the Yangtze

           This year, a new apartment setting had me contemplating a bit more about how to decorate and where to put everything.  After 5 days, the final result is quite spectacular, in my opinion.  Even the passing barges and sampans cruising up and down the river are enjoying a winter show of flashing, twinkling, colored lights strung around my balcony.

            At present, I’ve had 3 classes over with 5 more to go.  The teacher’s gathering will be this coming Friday. 

           After all this hard work, getting in as many Open Houses as possible is a must.

           While the photos don’t do justice to the overall atmosphere, here’s a visual journey through my Christmas wonderland along with a few student visits.  Needless to say, we’re having a wonderful Christmas season here in my home, as you can see. 

          Ping An (Peace), all, until next entry!

Visiting Kitty thought I needed help. NOT!

Entering my apartment, this is the first thing you’ll see.

This is my pet Christmas tree, dedicated to Little Flower and Lao-lao (Old-old), the emaciated stray I found on the streets of Chengdu. (Lao-lao is now in America with my parents.)

To the left of our pet Christmas tree.

One little corner display.

Heading out toward the balcony, where the kitchen and toilet are located.

My outer room Christmas table.

Time to enter my sitting room.

Of course, Christmas animals are a must!

Can there ever be enough?

Little friends of Santa.

My Christian religious centerpiece for the room.

Creche scenes from around the world: USA, South America and China.

My Christmas tree with Christmas clock (to the left, bought in Inner Mongolia) and handmade wooden angel in circular ring (to the right, gift from Norway)

Time to enjoy the Christmas decorations! My 3rd year students, my first Chinese guests.

Chit-chatting and goofing around.

Connie and the boys, 1st year students. (I only have 18 males out of 340 Eng. majors, all the rest are females.)

Never enough pictures.

Poses are a must!

Closing off the evening, another group of guys until another day with more student guests.