“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose” …  Well, maybe not quite literally but that time of year is now upon us and being an expat in China it can be fraught with difficulty as we contemplate how and where to do our Christmas shopping.  Since Christmas is a holiday that isn’t celebrated here (although the idea of it is slowly seeping into the big cities, with fantastical displays and piped Christmas music in stores becoming more and more common), knowing what to buy for your nearest and dearest and where to buy it can make even the hardiest of souls run for the hills. But, don’t go running for cover just yet! There area range of options available for buying Christmas presents and here we take a look at how to navigate your way through the minefield that is Christmas shopping in China and avoid a ‘Black Friday’ type experience.

Stores that deliver internationally

If you’re looking for something special for the little lady in your life and don’t mind with www.strawberrynet.com. This discount website provides a whole host of beauty gift ideas from make-up to skincare, lotions and potions, haircare and tanning items (in case you’re planning a warm winter getaway to some far flung destination) and the all-important fail safe:  fragrance – everything from individual bottles to gift sets are available from a plethora of brands. And gentlemen fear not: with men’s cologne and skincare also catered for, there’s something for everybody here. With FREE international delivery to any country, a host of customer benefits which include discounts on multiple orders and discounts for new customers as well as the option to pay directly with a Unionpay card (massive plus point), what’s not to like about this English language, Hong Kong based company?

Being halfway across the world is no barrier to using international companies such as Amazon either. It doesn’t matter where you are, you can order any items in your home country and have them delivered to your home address even though you aren’t there. This is ideal if you’re wary of sending things through the post from China, prefer the goods to be of a certain standard or quality or need them to arrive by a specified date. Maybe you’re in the market for a traditional Western novelty item (such as a Christmas jumper or one of these suits!) in which case a site such as Amazon is your best bet.

Photo: esquire.com

One of the downsides of using these Western websites though is the inability to use a Unionpay card – using sites that you’re comfortable with at home requires the use of a Visa or Mastercard for purchases. 

Shopping online

One of the most popular shopping methods that most will be familiar with is, of course, Taobao and shopping for Christmas gifts is no exception. The only downside is that Taobao doesn’t cater for international shipping, only to your registered address here on the mainland which is perfect if you’re planning to celebrate with those closest to you in China. You can purchase anything from clothes, fragrance, shoes, electronics, make-up, furniture, household items and jewellery … the list is endless. 

However, if you’re thinking of your loved ones back home, then don’t discount Taobao just yet.  How about ordering all of your items here and then ship them home using a recognized courier company such as DHL, FedEx, TNT or China Post?  This could prove to be a touch expensive as both size and weight dimensions are taken into consideration when calculating the cost. But, if you’re sending just a few small items or money isn’t a factor then it’s a good way of ensuring that you spend Christmas with your family in spirit even if not in person.

Note: there are certain items that I have been advised cannot be sent through the mail in China, specifically with China Post, such as electrical items. According to transport rules, they will refuse to take any responsibility in case electrical items are damaged in transit. Unfortunately, insuring them against any possible breakages isn’t an option; they will still refuse to mail them.  

What to buy?

So once you have navigated the hurdle of knowing where to buy, then it’s down to sussing out what to buy. China is known for its cheap merchandise and items of significant quality are few and far between but there are some little gems out there that are ideal Christmas gifts for loved ones back home …

1) Silk
One of the oldest fibres known to man and first developed in ancient China, the history of silk is an enchanting story that began with Empress Hsi Ling Shi, wife of the Yellow Emperor, and slowly traversed the country. This exotic fabric made silk garments a popular, luxury commodity and its demand created the lucrative trade routes of The Silk Road. Today, around 125,000 metric tons of silk is produced worldwide, two thirds of which takes place in China. Silk items that would make an ideal gift from China include nightwear, underwear, pillow/cushion covers, dresses, shawls and scarves and curtains amongst many other things. Most cities will have a local silk market where it is possible to obtain such gifts.  

2) Personalised items
Most cities have pedestrian shopping districts selling local ‘tat’, but some of it is actually quite endearing and novel rather than cheap. For example, glassblowers can often be found making small figurines in the shapes of the 12 signs of the zodiac – the Chinese horoscope animals – for as little as 10-20 RMB. Perfect as a little stocking filler if you know the animal sign that somebody was born under. Similarly, bamboo is a common material associated with China and bamboo tea mugs can also commonly be found on market stalls with peddlers quite happy to etch the person’s name onto it by burning it into the wood. Again, a perfect stocking filler, which acts as a permanent reminder of where it was obtained.

For the avid reader in your life, this set of 5 Chinese opera bookmarks are a kitsch way to give a gift. Also priced at the lower end of the scale, these are a thoughtful present which will forever be treasured.

3) Chopsticks and Tea Sets
Traditional Chinese gifts that are of fine quality include chopsticks and tea sets.  Chopsticks often come beautifully packaged with more than one set. Higher quality ones will include chopstick rests and napkins too – an ideal present for somebody interested in the culture and will willingly use them. Tea sets are also popular gifts and again, higher quality ones can include anything from cups and saucers to teapots and strainers. With exquisite designs, tea sets often prove to be a central focal point attracting much attention in the home.

4) Scrolls and paintings
Mass produced popular paintings such as those by Xu Beihong, famous for his depictions of horses, or scrolls of traditional writing are pretty and elegant gifts which can be displayed on walls or in frames. They are easy to pick up, being available to buy at almost any marketplace.

Finally, if all else fails and shipping it home is too much of a hassle and the thought of spending Christmas away from home is too much to bear then do as I do and go home for the holidays, taking your gifts with you in your suitcase. This way you can ensure they won’t get lost and will arrive on time as well as being met with the joyful glee of family who are ecstatic at having you home at this wonderful time.

Merry Christmas!

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Keywords: Christmas shopping in China present ideas China