'Tis the Season

It’s around this time of year that thoughts of Christmas begin to invade my head, and I’m looking at this Saturday (December 1) as the unofficial start of the holiday season in Beijing. There’s a confluence of events around town that day that’ll keep you and the kids merry from morning to night.

Start off at 10am by visiting the Rotary Club's Christmas Bazaar at the Hilton Hotel where there will be 30 to 40 tables of vendors selling their wares – a perfect place to shop for holiday gifts.

At noon, take a quick cab ride over to the Sanlitun campus of the British School to take in a little of their classic Christmas celebrations featuring caroling and a visit from Father Christmas himself.

Later, cruise northeast to stop off at the Beijing United Hospital and do your bit for those less fortunate by dropping off a toy for their annual toy drive and Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony from 1 to 4 pm. The toy drive is accepting new toys (books, toy cars and trucks, coloring books, etc) for the benefit of the children of Jiaozuo Orphanage.

Finally, you’ll want to head on back to the Hilton where they’ll conclude their day of festivities with the lighting of their tree at 6pm.

A very merry start to another Christmas season in Beijing!