The Week Dec 23: Christmas special

Updated: 2011-12-23 22:22

By THE WEEK (chinadaily.com.cn)

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Visit THE WEEK on Tencentweibo The Week Dec 23: Christmas special

Christmas in Beijing

Santa Claus is a fat, jolly, friendly fellow. The thought of his rosy red cheeks, big smile and old-man glasses keep me warm in the coldest of winters. But let's face it: The Santa Claus dolls lining shopping centers and markets can sometimes be creepy. And here in Beijing, Christmas is just awkward. Bridget O'Donnell reports.

Leave the flying to Santa

Now that we're decorated, it's time for the worst part: waiting to open presents. On Christmas Eve night, Santa flies from his toy workshop in the North Pole in a sleigh pulled by nine reindeer. The closest normal people can get to flying in a sleigh is sledding. Sledding is a very popular wintertime activity, but it can also be dangerous.

No-good gifts

The gifts are the most exciting part of Christmas, especially for the children. They demand the coolest toys and expensive gadgets. But as a new survey suggests, children are more spoiled now than ever before. For more on the survey and to see what happens when kids don't get their way, let's consult Clark Cahill.

Awkward family photo

Just when you thought nothing more could go wrong on Christmas, it comes time for the family photo. Many families will take pictures and send letters to a long list of their closest family and friends. But sometimes they don't turn out to be as charming as had hoped. Thankfully, a few websites in the United States put together a collection of these not-so-festive photos.

Merry Christmas!