Actually, there is no snow- or rain- for that matter. The last time there was any precipitation in Beijing was when I wrote about it in “Let it snow,” back on November 21. Today’s title, of course, refers to the double entendre meaning as well as things Christmasie (is that a word?) here in Beijing. We had our Christmas party, Saturday night here at English First and as you can see from other scenes in and around the building, Christmas is “a thing” here, albeit not a very big thing. Having said that, grocery stores recently and on occasion, have had as background music some particularly noxious and insidious holiday “favorites” which insinuate themselves upon one’s brain when shopping. Although, one market did play John Lennon’s “Happy X-mas (War Is Over)”, which I greatly appreciated. What would JL have to say about Trump, I wonder.

The office party included dozens of students interested in learning some elements of the seasonal holiday, sans the religious element, obviously. No mangers around here or elsewhere, thank you very much. Here, it’s all about giving gifts and seeing pretty decorations, as Ceiling-Cat Himself (“fleas be upon him”), intended for this time of year. I gave a demonstration on how to make eggnog, because as my daughter is well-aware: “I’m agog over eggnog.” The office will also be closed on Christmas day. On that “holiest” of days, like all good American Jews, I will seek out a Chinese restaurant to eat at. I’m pretty sure finding one won’t be a problem around these parts. And, unlike in San Francisco and Marin- no waiting! Now, if only there was a “Kung Pao Kosher Comedy” show to go with the Roast Duck Feet (“tastes like chicken.”) If they actually had fortune cookies in restaurants here, no doubt mine would read: “You will spend Christmas in a Chinese restaurant.” And of course, I am now compelled to show that famous note for those who haven’t seen it:

The supermarket in the basement of my office building. Note the “let it snow” banner.

The room where I gave an eggnog demo because “I’m agog over eggnog.”

Minnie, as Santa’s elf (who else!) “She’s so tiny.”

Did you know: “I’m agog over eggnog”?

My Manager, Winnie, instructs the audience on singing.

Christopher, who used to work here returns for an encore as Santa. Here, he’s leading everyone in singing: “Rudolph…”

To quote Carl Denham from the 1933, “King Kong”: “Blondes are scarce around here.”

Minnie at her station (“she’s so tiny.”) a few days before the party.

EF office scenes…

One of the very fancy-schmancy malls with an indoor skating rink.

The lobby of the China World Hotel. The expatriate organization, Internations.Org held its X-mas party in one of the restaurants here.

Outside our office building.

Weirdly, these are exercise-cycles as part of the decoration because, apparently, people want to use them when it’s twenty degrees.

A few days before the party, I went with Minnie to Olympic Park to see the “Birdsnest” stadium and take a five kilometer walk around the park. It was one of those unusual, smog-free days.