Inviting friends and neighbors to an open house party is part of Christmas traditions for westerners. Now, many expats in Shanghai have brought the customs to their new neighborhood.

 

A Canadian English teacher at a school in Shanghai's Pudong district decided to host a Christmas party in her home to invite her Chinese neighbors to experience an authentic western festival this year.

 

Three weeks before the party, she began to write invitation cards by herself. According to traditions passed down to her, she prepared wine and homemade food to serve to her Chinese friends. They sang Christmas carols and got to know each other better through the party.

 

Over 100 people attended her Christmas party. One of the guests, Wang Kuiying, says the party let her understand the real happiness brought by Christmas.

 

(CRI December 21, 2006)