Daily 10am-1am. L312, Europlaza, 99 Yuxiang Lu, Tianzhu Zhen, Shunyi District (8046 6337) 顺义区天竺镇欲翔路99号北京欧陆时尚购物中心(欧陆广场)L312室 See Directory under American for more locations.

Cici’s Burger
Best Hamburger Award
Cuisine: American
Non-smoking section: No
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: If your kids like hamburgers or chicken fingers, they’ll be thrilled with the menu.
Three healthiest items for kids: Grilled chicken sandwich, crispy chicken sandwich, and the hamburger.
Kid-friendly staff: The owner/manager is a Chinese woman, who’s married to a Chinese-Canadian. Her English is very good.
Bathroom: The bathroom is next door in Cross Borders.
Kids’ play area: No play area, but markers and paper are provided if you ask.
Seating: This restaurant has just four tables, two with stools and two with bar stools (raised up). No highchairs yet, but Cici is looking into getting some.
Price: RMB 230
Parking: Yes
Credit card: No
Atmosphere: Clean and simple.
Must-order item: A hamburger! The onion rings are also a hit.
In a nutshell: It’s a tiny place full of Canadian photos and flags. Great hamburgers with inventive toppings, all cooked to order. Donna Scaramastra Gorman

Daily 10am-6.30pm. 3 Jingmi Road, Homeware Lifestyle Village Complex (1km from exit 4 on Airport Expressway), Chaoyang District (138 1194 6806)

Elaine’s Vegetarian Restaurant
Best Vegetarian Restaurant in Shunyi
Cuisine: Vegetarian
English-language menu: Bilingual, with a few photos.
Kid-friendly food: Vegetarian sausage on a stick, fried tofu (crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, with the sauce on the side), vegetarian Beijing Duck. They have some specific kids’ items, like vegetarian spaghetti bolognaise, and most of the menu’s items can be made non-spicy and are great for kids. But be sure to mention any nut allergies.
Kid-friendly staff: English-speaking staff.
Bathroom: Squat toilet, but clean.
Average price: RMB 200
Parking: Yes, free on-road parking.
Must-order item: Vegetarian sausages, simple, served fast and everyone loves them.
In a nutshell: The location of this family-friendly vegetarian restaurant on Roma Lake is superb. With a great playroom and extensive menu, it satisfies the whole family. JC

Daily 10am-9.30pm. Walk 800m along the banks of Luoma Lake, 100m north of Luoma Roundabout, Houshayu, Shunyi District (8048 5088) 顺义区后沙峪镇罗马环岛向北100米左转(沿罗马湖畔800米)
Note: Elaine’s is undergoing a renovation and will be closed until spring.

Haru Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar
Best Sushi in Shunyi Award
Cuisine: Japanese
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Portions are on the large side, but sushi and teppanyaki cuisine allows you to order and share accordingly.
Three healthiest items for kids: The Hibachi Chicken, Salmon Sashimi and the Gary Roll, which combines roast duck, cucumber and avocado.
Kid-friendly staff: The staff are incredibly friendly from the moment you walk through the door – all are English-speaking.
Bathroom: The bathroom has been tastefully designed and is well-maintained. No changing table, but very clean with a sit-down toilet.
Kids’ play area: No play area, but the flames created by the chef should keep the kids entertained.
Seating: Prop yourself up at the sushi bar on high stools or sink into the swank chairs in the main room. Highchairs are available, but no outdoor seating.
Average price: RMB 400.
Credit card: Yes, which is convenient, as bottles of sake can cost up to RMB 3,000
Atmosphere: Just like the food – fantastic.
Must-order item: Salmon Sashimi
In a nutshell: Watch and listen to your food as it sizzles and cooks to your preference. Haru impresses from the sleek decor to the supreme quality of the food – well and truly worth spending a few extra kuai here. NF

Daily 11.30am-2pm, 5.30pm-10pm. 902 Pinnacle Plaza, Jingshun Lu, Shunyi District (8046 5112) 顺义区天竺镇开发区荣祥广场902.

Hungry Horse
Best Hunger Buster
Cuisine: American
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Grilled cheese, hotdog, and chicken fingers.
Three healthiest items for kids: Cheese quesadilla, salad, veggie wrap (on adult menu).
Kid-friendly staff: Yes, they will sometimes give out a free cookie. Bathroom: Sit-down toilet. Clean.
Kids’ play area: Foosball table and separate area with toys for young children. Crayons and coloring menu.
Seating: Tables, highchairs available.
Average price: RMB 350
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Comfortable and casual
Must-order item: Buffalo wings or nachos
In a nutshell: The hearty American food at Hungry Horse is a good bet to satisfy all your comfort food cravings. Very large portions; enough to take home for lunch the next day. JB

Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8.30am-10pm. Unit 609, Pinnacle Plaza, Tianzhu Real Estate Development Zone, Shunyi District (8046 5519) 顺义区天竺开发区荣祥广场609

Mexican Kitchen
Best Chips
Cuisine: Mexican
Non-smoking section: No
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Kids will like the chicken taquitos, the quesadilla and the tortilla soup. They also have warm, crispy chips, served with salsa or guacamole.
Three healthiest items for kids: Chicken tenders, tortilla soup, quesadilla.
Kid-friendly staff: Yes
Bathroom: Clean, with a sit-down toilet and a changing table.
Kids’ play area: Play area is okay – not super-clean, not a lot of toys. But the kids seem to like it.
Seating: Booths and chairs. Highchairs available. Outdoor seating in the summer.
Average price: RMB 200
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Comfortable and colorful.
Must-order item: The tortilla soup is great on a chilly day. And the chicken taquitos have just the right amount of crisp.
In a nutshell: Fast service, consistent kitchen. Great place for a chips-and-margarita get-together with friends. DSG

Daily 11am-9pm 705 Pinnacle Plaza, Euro Village, Shunyi District (8046 4558) 顺义区天竺开发区日祥广场705号

Michael’s Place
Best Italian
Cuisine: Italian
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Spaghetti bolognaise, macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers
Three healthiest items for kids: Spaghetti, mini burger, salad.
Kid-friendly staff: Yes
Bathroom: Clean, sit-down toilets.
Kids’ play area: A playhouse, puzzles, games and children’s books.
Seating: Tables and highchairs.
Average price: RMB 350
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Comfortable
Must-order item: Spaghetti bolognaise or cannelloni.
In a nutshell: A great option in Shunyi for a Italian meal. JB

Daily 10.30am-10.30pm. Central Villa District (opposite North Gate of Capital Paradise), Shunyi District (8046 7803) 北京明天意大利餐厅, 顺义区中央别墅区名都园北门西侧

Mrs Shanen’s Bagels
Best Healthy Meal
Cuisine: Cafe
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Mini bagels, pizza bagels, small portions of macaroni and cheese.
Three healthiest items for kids: Pizza bagels, pita and hummus, the organic no-salt corn puffs (take home what you don’t finish!). Also, they add wheat germ and oat bran to the super-thin NY-style pizza crust, making it the healthiest pizza in Beijing – and possibly the tastiest too!
Kid-friendly staff: Excellent. Denise is there every day and speaks superb English.
Bathroom: Clean with a sit-down toilet
Kids’ play area: A separate room with a play Chinese kitchen, blackboard and chalk as well as books. Colored pencils and paper provided.
Seating: Indoors – sofas and chairs, outdoors at picnic tables and highchairs available.
Average price: RMB 200
Parking: Yes, free parking outside.
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Super-cozy and relaxed, but expensive.
Must-order item: Bagels to take home and pizza to eat there!
In a nutshell: The high prices are justified for the high quality of ingredients and excellent quality of the food, which will satisfy even the fussiest of mothers. JC

Daily 7.30am-8pm. 5 Kaifa Jie, Xibaixinzhuang (next to Capital Paradise), Shunyi District (8046 4301) 顺义区顺义北西白辛庄开发街5号 (紧邻名都园).

The Orchard
Best for Celebrations
Cuisine: European
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: The set lunch doesn’t have a kids’ menu, and the brunch is served buffet-style. It’s not kid-friendly, per se – it’s fancy food, not hot dogs. But kids really like what they have on offer. They’ll gulp down the freshly baked spiced bread that is served at the beginning of every meal. Spaghetti and grilled cheese are also available.
Three healthiest items for kids: Spaghetti, soup of the day and grilled chicken.
Kid-friendly staff: Yes
Bathroom: Spotless, with a sit-down toilet.
Kids’ play area: Large and clean, with a TV for movies and tables for eating.
Seating: Chairs. Highchairs available.
Average price: RMB 300
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Understated elegance
Must-order item: The bread that comes with the meal is addictive. The lamb is superb. The Orchard salad is fresh and healthy.
In a nutshell: Fancy enough to feel special, but with a welcoming atmosphere for kids. This upscale restaurant is worth every jiao. DSG

Tue-Sun noon-2.30pm (Sun lunch until 3pm), 2.30-6pm (coffee), 6-9pm (dinner). From Jingshun Lu, exit at Sunhe Market (we recommend calling for directions), Shunyi District (6433 6270) 顺义区顺义北京顺路孙河市场出口 (建议给餐馆打电话问详细地址)

Piazza Café
Best Quiet Spot
Cuisine: Contemporary
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Great kid options – they can even get involved in making their dinner with Do It Yourself (DIY) margarita pizza. They’ll also like the mac and cheese, and hamburgers.
Three healthiest items for kids: DIY avocado and cucumber roll, cucumber and carrot sticks with yogurt dip, sautéed chicken with sweet corn and pine nuts.
Kid-friendly staff: Yes
Bathroom: Clean
Kids’ play area: A playroom filled with children’s books and a play table.
Seating: Tables. Pleasant outdoor seating in garden piazza when the weather is warm.
Average price: RMB 300
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Cozy and homey
Must-order item: Sautéed beef tenderloin with water chestnuts in black pepper sauce.
In a nutshell: The restaurant is part of The Bookmark, which makes for a cozy, homey atmosphere. A great place to relax and have a good meal while browsing books or using their free Wi-Fi. JB

Daily 11am-9.30pm. South gate of Capital Paradise, Shunyi District (8046 7788/2020) 顺义区顺义北名都园南门外

Smallville
Best Place to Relax with Kids
Cuisine: American
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Chicken nuggets, grilled cheese sandwich, peanut butter and jelly.
Three healthiest items for kids: PB&J; Egg, bacon and toast; grilled cheese sandwich.
Kid-friendly staff: Yes
Bathroom: Clean, with a sit-down toilet
Kids’ play area: Lots of toy kitchen supplies. Markers at the table; paper provided if you ask.
Seating: Booths, comfy chairs, regular wooden chairs. Highchairs available.
Average price: RMB 150 – unless you order milkshakes (which are RMB 24 each).
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Comfortable and homey
Must-order item: Grilled chicken salad and cinnamon rolls.
In a nutshell: Comfort food for Western kids and their grown-ups. 100% of their proceeds are donated to local charities, so you can feel good about eating here. DSG

Mon-Thu 7.30am-7.30pm, Fri-Sun 7.30am-8pm. 3 Kaifa Jie, Xibaixinzhuang, Houshayu, Shunyi District (8046 5448) 顺义区顺义北后沙峪西白辛庄开发街3号

Za’atar
Best Lakeside Setting
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
English-language menu: Yes
Kid-friendly food: Kids will like the chicken skewers, falafel, pita bread.
Three healthiest items for kids: Hummus, chicken skewers.
Kid-friendly staff: The staff speaks English and is friendly.
Bathroom: Clean with sit-down toilets
Kids’ play area: The kids can be outside in warm weather and horse around on playground equipment outside the entrance to the plaza.
Seating: Tables and outdoor seating by the lake.
Average price: RMB 400
Parking: Yes
Credit card: Yes
Atmosphere: Bright and airy
Must-order item: Chicken couscous or lamb shank
In a nutshell: For some of the most delicious and authentic Middle Eastern food in Beijing, Za’atar is the place to go. JB

Daily 11.30am-10pm. Unit 2, Bldg 3, Lakeview Place (by Dragon Bay Villas), Shayu Huanlu, Houshayu, Shunyi District (8042 2248) 顺义区顺义北后沙峪镇沙峪环路3号2单元

Fulfilling wish lists is how Leslie Simpson, a former accountant from Scotland, spends her time these days. Her charity distribution store, Roundabout, accepts donations of gently used household goods and sends them to two dozen charities around Beijing.

Why did you start a charity store?
I always dreamed of working in an orphanage and helping the underprivileged when my own kids were older. When my husband accepted a job in China and my three boys (ages 18, 19 and 22) had grown up, I realized this was my chance. I sold my hobby craft design business and used the proceeds to create Roundabout, which opened October 2008.

What is the store’s mission?
Roundabout is strictly not-for-profit. I take in donations, sort them and give orphanages, migrant schools, and a whole host of other charities what they need. The store does the collections work so the charities can focus on what they need to do, such as caring for children and teaching students. The store also makes items available for sale to villagers and expats alike. We are also in the process of setting up a service to connect organizations and individuals looking to donate with charities in need.

How do you decide what to give away and what to sell?
The first priority is for donations to go to charities that need various items. After that, we put items on sale for local villagers to buy at low prices. If items have been on the shelves for more than 30 days, we make them available for sale at our Saturday morning flea market. Empty shelves are a good sign; today we don’t have much clothing in the store because we just sent off a big shipment of clothing to Pakistani refugees.

Roundabout Charity Store Mon-Fri, 9.30am-4.30pm. Kaifa Jie (next to Radiance and Mrs. Shanen’s), Xibaixinzhuang, Houshayu, Shunyi (137 1877 7761) 后沙渝西柏辛庄开发街

The shop accepts everything except locally produced magazines and DVDs, heavily worn clothes and items previously used by pets. To volunteer or donate, contact Leslie at 137 1877 7761 or thecharitystore@gmail.com.

The Travelers: Keary and Xiaoqing Liu and their sons Daniel and Evan, ages 7 and 5 at time of travel.

The Plan: The Liu family, along with some friends, flew to Xiamen where they rented a minivan and hired a driver for the four-hour trip to the Yongding area of Fujian province. There they spent the night in traditional Hakka homes made of mud and explored the local villages nearby. The Lius chose this destination because it allowed them to get a feel for village life, spend time with local residents, and view the unique architecture in the area. They also planned to visit the Liu family temple near the village of Fuyuyuan. The Hakka, which means “guest people” in Cantonese, refers to a group of Han Chinese from the north who gradually migrated south, settling in the mountains of Fujian province during the Tang dynasty. They hail from an agricultural background, speak their own dialect and have a distinct cuisine.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Fujian Hakka homes, known as Fujian tulou (土楼 tǔlóu), are beautiful examples of massive earthen buildings that house up to 800 people and are set against the backdrop of fertile mountain valleys. The Fujian tulou were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2008 in recognition of the exceptional examples of traditional building styles and a unique type of communal living.

The Homes: The Hakka homes feature open courtyards in the center, surrounded by two to five floors of spacious rooms. The homes vary in size and each home is inhabited by anywhere from a couple of families to dozens of families, all from the same clan. Each village has several Hakka homes, or one big home, and a family temple. The name of the village is the family name.

The Family Temple: When Keary and her family were driving back to Xiamen, they stopped along the road to visit the Liu family temple. It was in a small, run-down old village near Fuyuyuan. Although the outside of the temple was in disrepair at the time, renovations were in progress. The Lius viewed tablets hanging on the wall that bore the names of the Liu family men from different generations. (Women’s names aren’t listed because they traditionally joined another village after marriage.) There are some Hakka homes where the same families have continually lived for more than 150 years.

Exploring Fujian: Daniel and Evan had a great time exploring the unusual style of accommodations. Local residents rent rooms out in their Hakka home, and the boys were able to wander through the many different rooms in the tulou. The kids felt like explorers walking around the warren of dim rooms, where they met residents eating, chatting and generally going about their lives; at one point they came across a room containing a family altar. Evan and Daniel also had a ball trying their hand at drawing water from the well in the center of the courtyard. The well was still in use as the main water source for the Hakka home and there was a pump attached to it for ease of use.

Nearby Villages: Keary, Xiaoqing and the kids drove to a couple of the nearby villages to check out different examples of traditional buildings. At one of their stops, Shangban Village, the family hiked up a hill to get a glimpse of “Four Dishes and One Soup,” one of the most well-preserved Hakka clusters in the area; seen from above, the homes resemble the meal they’re named after. There was plenty to see in Fujian province, and everyone enjoyed the outdoor exercise during the hike.

Village Life: Xiaoqing and Keary found that early morning was the best time to get a true window into village life. During their morning stroll, they walked with local children on their way to school and peeked into classrooms. The roads were mostly made of concrete or stone paths and were quite bumpy. Daniel and Evan watched the chickens and other animals being fed. For a bird’s eye view of the village, they headed for the many hills in the area.

Hakka Cuisine: The Lius found that the foods traditionally prepared by the Hakkas inside the home were notable for their range in texture. For example, stewed, braised and roasted meats are popular, each with a different mouthfeel. The cuisine is simple without a lot of extra garnishes or heavy flavors. Because the Hakka migrated to areas where Chinese people were already living, they sometimes had to settle on land that was less desirable and had experienced very cold winters and very hot summers. As a result, they favored preserved meats such as dried beef and pork.

During the Lius’ trip, the family mostly ate in their Hakka home. Meals typically consisted of basic Chinese food such as noodles, beef, chicken and rice, prepared Hakka-style. When the kids started to miss Western food, they headed for one of the more modern hotels in the area.

Accommodation: In Yongding, the Lius stayed one night in the Fuyu Building Hotel, located in Hong Keng village (059 7553 2800). The rooms were basic and had separate outdoor bathrooms that were relatively clean and scented by incense. Shower facilities were sparse.

In Xiamen, travelers can pick from several chain hotels near the ferry terminal, and a stay can be easily arranged by a travel agent before you leave Beijing. The Lius stayed in a moderate hotel for two nights. For an excursion near the hotel, the Lius took the kids for a walk in the park along the flower-lined waterfront.
Customized travel arrangements can come together quickly through a travel agent (see Directories p69); the Liu family was happy with China Holiday Tours in Beijing. The area has become more popular with travelers since its selection as a UNESCO site, and it is now possible to take packaged tours with local agencies.
Making a Connection: Although a bit inconvenient at times, trekking outside to reach the bathroom provided a memorable moment for Keary. One evening, after unbarring the heavy doors to go outside, she sat down on a bench where an elderly Hakka lady was resting. The two women came from completely different backgrounds, but ended up chatting about the weather, travelling with children, and being married to Chinese men. The woman had lived more than 60 years in the village. She poured Keary a cup of tea, and the two enjoyed a pleasant moment underneath a canopy of stars.

Xiamen: Taking a ferry to Gulang Island (Gulangyu) from Xiamen was a highlight of the trip. Gulangyu is an old diplomatic concession and contains many interesting examples of colonial architecture, mostly in the European style, with large columns and decorative facades. No cars are allowed in this walking village. The Lius found it easy to wander around the island on their own with just a map. They came across an old Catholic church with Christmas trees on the front lawn and a small manger scene. For other fun activities around Xiamen, travelers can try lounging in the hot springs, visiting caves or the botanical garden, and tasting the tea that Fujian province is famous for.
When to Go: Traveling south from Beijing during the cold months of December and January is a good idea; the weather in Fujian is cool but pleasant in late December. Keary recommends dressing in layers, as the temperature changes with your proximity to the ocean and the mountains. The breezes coming off the water bring a chill to the air, while on the other hand, temperatures rose quite a bit in town at midday.

Whether you celebrate or not, once December rolls around, the thought of Christmas is on everyone’s mind. “My family gathers together to share special foods, especially homemade tortellini, panettone and pandoro and gifts on Christmas Eve,” says Sara Platto, who is from Brescia in northern Italy. “There is lots of talking and singing and plenty of relatives gathered together to make it a big celebration. I am pregnant, and will be going home to Italy for Christmas and to have my baby, so this year it will be a double celebration.”

Though Christmas is rooted in Christianity, it has become a common holiday celebrated by non-Christians. Some local Chinese, for instance, enjoy giving gifts and spending time with family. “We used not to have the tradition to celebrate Christmas, but in recent years we started receiving greetings and gifts from friends and relatives, which is really nice,” says Cai Liang, a Chinese-Czech translator in Beijing. “Now we give out presents to our friends and family members during this time of the year as well. It brings happiness to the family and makes us feel closer to each other.”

For many people, December is filled with the anticipation of Christmas, but this first month of the winter season brings with it a plethora of other holidays celebrated around the world. Boxing Day, for instance, which takes place the day after Christmas, is marked as an official holiday in the UK. This holiday is thought to have many origins, either from medieval times, when boxes would be placed in the backs of churches to collect money for the poor, or from the fact that servants had to work on Christmas day and would be given the next day off to take home leftover food, packed up in boxes. “While traditionally Boxing Day was celebrated by exchanging Christmas boxes, today it is a national holiday where we get together with friends and family and share a big meal of a joint of meat, several rich desserts, and some indulgent puddings,” says Sarah Smith-Edmonds, who hails from the UK and lives in Beijing with her husband, son and daughter.

Another example of a traditional holiday celebrated in December is Saint Lucia’s Day, which takes place on December 13 and pays tribute to the young Christian martyr. Ingrad Parsson, who is a grandmother from Sweden, describes Saint Lucia’s Day as the day when girls and boys dress all in white and sing for other people in honor of the Saint. “The girls have sparkly things in their hair, just as Saint Lucia has lights in hers, and the boys wear star hats. The girls hold white candles, and with the children dressed completely in white, they look like angels in the night,” she explains. After the singing, “We eat special cakes and cookies such as Lussekatter and Pepparkakor”.

An Islamic holiday that will be celebrated this year in December is Eid al Adha, the “Feast of the Sacrifice,” which is held as part of the Hajj, or journey to Mecca. During this celebration, Muslim people who can afford it sacrifice a sheep or other animal and distribute the meat to relatives or to the poor. Mr. Ahmed Abu Zaid moved to Beijing from Egypt with his family three years ago. “In Egypt, we celebrate this very important holiday for three days. Usually we would slaughter a sheep or cow in the morning of the first day, either in a market place or in front of our homes, as a ritual to offer sacrifice to the Lord. Then we would divide the meat into three parts: one for the poor, one for  relatives and friends, and the rest for ourselves. Then we would cook the meat with delicious soup and enjoy the meal together. But the most important thing is that we would visit our friends and relatives to share the joy of this holiday.”

In addition to giving and sharing, being with family and celebrating one’s culture is also a common theme among many of December’s holidays. Kwanzaa, for instance, which means “first fruit” in Swahili and is celebrated in the last week of December among the African-American communities, marks a time when families gather to reaffirm bonds, honor the past and recommit to ideals for the future.

Another holiday which spans a period of time is Hanukkah, celebrated in the Jewish community for eight days. Usually falling in December, during this time each family will display a menorah consisting of nine candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, with a special “shamus” candle used to light the others. The candles are lit in order from left to right, starting with one on the first night of Hanukkah until the last night, when all the candles are lit. “My family celebrated with a menorah, spinning dreidels, storytelling, potato pancakes with applesauce and chocolate coins,” explains Julie Kohn, American and mother of two. “We would spin the dreidel, tell the story of the Maccabees, light the Hanukkah lamp and enjoy.”

These are just a few of the many celebrations around the world that take place during the holiday season. Whichever holidays you choose to celebrate, have a joyous and festive December!

Christmas
Christian
圣诞节
shèngdànjié
December 25

Boxing Day
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK and others
节礼日
jiélǐrì
December 26

Saint Stephen’s Day
Italy and other European countries
圣斯达番日
shèngsīdáfānrì
December 26

Eid al Adha
Muslim
宰牲节
zaǐshēngjié
December 20

Kwanzaa
African-American
宽扎节
kuānzhājié
December 26-January 1

Saint Lucia’s Day
Sweden
圣路西亚节
shènglùxīyàjié
December 13

Hanukkah
Jewish
光明节
guāngmíngjié
December 4-12

Guadalupe Day
Mexico
古尔达卢佩圣母节
gǔěrdálúpèishèngmǔjié
December 12

Sneeze once and you will have a long life of 100 years; sneeze twice and you will live 200 years; sneeze three times and your longevity will last 300 years or more. So goes an old saying in Beijing. And with the cold season fast approaching, there may be many sneezes to come.

Almost every household boasts a home remedy for the common cold or sore throat. An Australian mother of three, Adele Doherty, remembers her mother dabbing eucalyptus oil on her handkerchief and pillowcase at night so she could inhale its aroma to help clear nasal passages. “Eucalyptus is readily available in Australia, and we would use it often to help with congestion and as an aid to cure colds,” says Adele.

In fact, native plants and herbs are widely used as cold remedies. For example, Hiroe Aramaki-Olson, a Japanese-born mother of two boys, recalls a home treatment method whereby a spring onion is dug from the earth, roasted, and applied to the outside of the throat and the underside of the jaw. The onion acts as a warm compress and is used to relieve a sore throat. “It heats up the body and contains properties which help rid the body of toxins,” she explains. “This type of therapy is commonly used in both the northern and southern parts of Japan.”

Traditional remedies abound in Beijing and other parts of China. One method for reducing congestion is to heat a pan of vinegar until warm enough to radiate fumes, and then breathe deeply of the vinegar-infused air. Iris Lau, who grew up in Beijing, remembers her mom walking around the house in the wintertime holding a pot of vinegar so the fumes would permeate the air. “When we got a cold, the vapor from the steamed vinegar helped clear the sinuses in a natural way,” she says.

Another popular tradition that has been handed down in China from generation to generation is a drink prepared by boiling chopped fresh ginger and brown sugar (hong tang) in water for 15 minutes. Guo Yanping, who is native Chinese and has resided in Beijing for 43 years, claims that this mixture combines heat with the antiviral properties of ginger to help clear up colds.

Drinks and tinctures are used as cold therapies in the UK as well, according to Diane Ward, who hails from Wales. Diane clearly remembers her grandmother’s remedy of making medicinal tea by using freshly picked elderflowers. “The flowers would be laid out on a table to dry in the sun, ready to be used for tea,” Diane recalls. “The elderflower tea helped the cold go away, but I did not like the taste!”

In the United States, there are a multitude of remedies that families use to stave off colds. Getting extra vitamin C in the form of orange juice to boost the immune system and gargling with warm salt water at the first hint of a scratchy throat are thought to work wonders, and a popular comfort food for colds is a steaming pot of chicken soup. Medical science is finding that chicken soup is not to be discounted as a remedy: The steam can loosen congestion, the warm liquid is soothing to the throat, and garlic, a commonly used ingredient, is widely thought to have antibiotic properties, especially when eaten raw.

Whether it’s chicken soup, herbal tea or drowning yourself in the aroma of boiled vinegar, no doubt your family has its own reliable and time-honored home remedy for the common cold. And this winter, perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to try something new.

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tbjkids to the rescue!

• cold
  gǎn mào
  感冒
• sore throat
  sǎng zi téng
• honey
  fēng mì
• lemon
  níng méng
  柠檬
• warm salt water
  wēn yán shuǐ
  温盐水
• vitamin C
  weí shēng sù C
  维生素C
• orange
  chéng zi
  橙子
• Eucalyptus tree
  ān shù
  桉树
• brown sugar
  hóng táng
  红糖
• ginger
  jiāng
  姜
• remedy
  yào fāng
  药方
• vinegar
  cù
  醋
• garlic
  suàn
  蒜
• spring onion
  cōng
  葱
• cough drops
  ké sou yào
  咳嗽药
• chicken soup
  jī tāng
  鸡汤