This year, the weather gods have decided to grace us with a white (well, somewhat gray) Christmas. But far be it from us to look a gift horse in the mouth, so here’s a merry roundup of holiday events and activities to take you through to the New Year. Happy holidays!

Dec 21-22

Christmas at Dreamaker’s Christmas Village
Ages 4-6. Drop by Dreamaker’s new studio in Wangjing for arts and crafts, Christmas carols, a gift exchange, movies, seasonal desserts, and other surprises. RSVP required. RMB 60/ person, free for Dreamaker students. 2-4pm. Dreamaker (150 1101 1742, jenniferfa@dreamaker.com.cn)

Dec 21-25

Photos with Santa at Parkview Green
All ages. During the holidays, Santa and his reindeer will make regular appearances at Parkview Green to take photos with the kids. Free. 3-5pm, 6-8pm. Parkview Green

Dec 22- 23

Snow White
Ages 4+. There’s still time to catch Beijing Playhouse’s pantomime staging of Snow White! This classic fairy tale gets an edgy makeover, with cross-dressing magic mirrors, Gangnam Style-dancing dwarves, and a fabulously saucy evil queen. RMB 260 advance, RMB 300 at the door; RMB 130 students and kids advance, RMB 150 students and kids at the door. 2-4pm. National Olympic Sports Center Theater (performance@beijingplayhouse.com)

Traditional Teddy Bear Afternoon Tea
Approx. up to age 12. This classic Ritz-Carlton event gets a Christmas makeover with holiday-themed treats, fun activities, and a surprise gift for all the kids. RMB 288/child, RMB 388/adult. 2.30-5.30pm. Ritz-Carlton, Beijing (5908 8888)

Dec 22

Christmas Culture Trip
All ages. Decorate a Christmas tree with the kids, make festive ornaments, eat cookies, play board games, listen to the story of the Gingerbread Man, and meet Santa Claus in person. There’s even a violin quartet for all the grown-ups! RMB 698/person. 3-10pm. Kara Kitchen (1391 021 1584 Wendy, xmas2012bj@yahoo.com)

Sunny High-Scope Christmas Party
All ages. Community members from international kindergarten Sunny High-Scope gather for the school’s annual Christmas party, with songs, games, and tasty treats. Free. 10am-noon. Sunny Kids Garden International Kindergarten (8476 5353, 138 1070 7354)

Dec 23 and 25

Christmas Festive Brunches at Hilton Beijing Capital Airport
All ages. Expect all the usual Sunday brunch favorites, plus Christmas specials like turkey, Christmas pudding, glazed ham, mince pies, stollen, mulled wine, and hot chocolate. RMB 338/person (add RMB 60 for wine, beer, and champagne), RMB 160 for ages 6-12, free for kids under 5. 11.30am-3pm. Hilton Beijing Capital Airport (6458 8888)

Dec 23-24

Kempinski Tree Lighting Ceremony
All ages. Watch as Kempinski Hotel lights up its huge, authentic Christmas tree. Sip on free mulled wine, eat Christmas stollen, and watch a children’s choir perform holiday carols in the lobby. Free. 6-7pm. Kempinski Hotel (6465 3388)

Dec 23, 24, and 31

Advent Sunday at Lobby Lounge
All ages. Warm up with Lobby Lounge’s Christmas-themed afternoon tea, with stollen, cookies, gingerbread, and more. RMB 458. 2.30-6pm. China World Hotel (6505 2266 ext 33)

Dec 24

Barolo Christmas Eve Set Dinner
All ages. Chef Gianluca presents a five-course Italian dinner with a glass of welcome champagne. RMB 1,388/person. 6-10.30pm. Barolo (5908 8888)

Buon Natale at Trattoria La Gondola
All ages. This Italian-style Christmas features a four-course set menu with free-flow Italian red, white, and sparkling wines, and a lucky draw. RMB 1,188/person, half price for ages 6-12. Kempinski Hotel (6465 3388 ext 4200, restaurant.beijing@kempinski.com)

Christmas Eve Dinner at The Schoolhouse
All ages. Listen to live jazz as you celebrate Christmas with hot spiced cider, spiced wine, roasted chestnuts, goodies for the kids, a full Christmas spread, caroling, and more. RMB 240/adult, RMB 90 for ages 4-12, free for kids under 4. 7-10pm. The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu (6162 6506)

Christmas Eve Dinner Dance
For adults. Featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet, this event will give grownups the chance to dance and socialize for Christmas. RSVP required. RMB 265/person. 7-9pm. Sino-Chu (186 0013 9050, hngigroup@gmail.com)

Christmas Eve Gala Party
All ages. The Jade Ballroom plays host to a Christmas banquet with lobster, oysters, turkey, rib of beef, and lots of entertainment. RMB 1,988/person, half price for ages 6-12; RMB 22,880 for a table of 12. 6-11pm. Kempinski Hotel (6465 3388 ext 4200, restaurant.beijing@kempinski.com)

Christmas Eve Service at COGS
All ages. The Congregation of the Good Shepherd is holding a Christmas Eve service for all expat Christians. Free. 7-8pm. COGS (cogs@fastmail.fm)

Christmas Fantasy Revelry
All ages. The Westin Beijing Financial Street’s Treasury Ballroom is transformed into a fantasy land with a seafood display on ice, roast turkey, and festive treats. Plus, win raffles prizes. Premium Seats: RMB 3,588 (adult), RMB 2,088 (child); General Seats: RMB 3,188 (adult), RMB 1,888 (child). 6.30-10.30pm. Westin Beijing Financial Street (6606 8866)

Kranzler’s Christmas Eve
All ages. Kranzler’s features a buffet, free-flow alcohol, and a house jazz band. RMB 768/adult, half price for ages 6-12. 6-11pm. Kempinski Hotel (6465 3388 ext 4200, restaurant.beijing@kempinski.com)

Heilig Abend at Paulaner Bräuhaus
All ages. Experience a Bavarian-style Christmas with roast goose and duck, appetizers, live music, and a lucky draw. RMB 1,188/person. Kempinski Hotel (6465 3388 ext 4200, restaurant.beijing@kempinski.com)

New York Harlem Singers Christmas Concert
Ages 10+. For something a bit different, get into the Christmas spirit with a concert that blends African-American spiritual music, pop, jazz, funk, and opera. RMB 240-380. 7.30pm. National Centre for the Performing Arts (sales@theatrebeijing.com)

Traditional Christmas Eve at Scene a Cafe
All ages. Expect a Christmas choir, Santa Claus, a lucky draw, and a magic show, plus a buffet theater with eight “scenes,” and more. RMB 988. 5.30-10.30pm. China World Hotel (6505 2266 ext 33)

Dec 24-25

A Capital Christmas
All ages. Capital M’s Christmas specials feature chestnuts, turkey, goose, mince pies, Christmas crackers, caroling, mulled wine, apple cider, gifts for the kids, movies, and more. RMB 588. Noon-10pm. Capital M (6702 2727)

Christmas Celebrations at Raffles
All ages. Raffles Hotel Beijing is hosting a number of Christmas celebrations at Jaan, East 33, and the Jewel Ballroom. RMB 428-2,688. Noon-9pm. Raffles Hotel Beijing (foodbeverage.rbh@raffles.com)

Dec 25

Christmas Day by the Great Wall
All ages. Couldn’t make it for The Schoolhouse’s Christmas Eve event? Go for Christms Day instead. Kids can join a Christmas cookie workshop while adults kick back for some fireside jazz. RMB 240/adult, RMB 120 for ages 4-12, free for kids under 4. 11am-8pm. The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu (6162 6506)

Christmas Day Family Brunch
All ages. The Kempinski’s Christmas Day spread features live lobster, foie gras, American turkey, and European desserts. RMB 558/person, half price for ages 6-12. 11.30am-3pm. Kempinski Hotel (6465 3388 ext 4222)

Christmas Day Family Brunch at The St. Regis
All ages. The St. Regis’ holiday menu includes seafood, roast turkey, glazed ham, roast beef, Christmas pudding, and more. RSVP required. RMB 488, RMB 588 (with free-flow champagne). 11.30am-3pm. The St. Regis Beijing (6460 6688 ext. 2340/1)

Christmas Dinner at Black Sesame Kitchen
All ages. BSK’s Christmas dining event includes a 10-course menu and a demonstration by the venue’s very own Chef Zhang. RMB 500. 7-10pm. Black Sesame Kitchen (136 9147 4408)

Until Jan 4

Christmas Holiday Art Workshops at Atelier
Ages 6-10. Staying in Beijing for the holidays? Atelier will have a variety of Christmas art workshops using different materials and techniques: drawing, collage, paper cutting, textiles, and more. Kids will make garlands, wreaths, greeting cards, Christmas ornaments, stockings, and even candles. Prices vary. 9.30-11.30am. Atelier (6416 1614, contact@atelier.cn.com)

Until Jan 5

Christmas Handicraft and Pottery DIY Workshop
Ages 3-10. Parents and kids can work together to make Christmas crafts like Play-Doh Christmas trees, cardboard roll Santas and reindeer, paper cutouts, and snowmen. RMB 100. 10am-5pm. i3 Art Studio (8591 3294, 130 4123 8445)

 Photo by makelessnoise (Flickr)

Need more stocking stuffers? Johanna Selth of BabyGro Beijing has a few suggestions for harried parents.

1. Skoose Bows (RMB 20-45)
These are so colorful and gorgeous for little girls of any age! The company makes many types of elastic bands, including Korkers, Bloom Bows, Layered Bows, Sheers Bows, Single Bows, and more.

2. Crayola Washable Markers (RMB 39 for an eight-pack, RMB 59 for a 12-pack)
Every child needs a continuous supply of coloring materials! BabyGro also carries washable sidewalk chalk, crayons, modeling clay, and more.

3. Crayola Mini-Pack (RMB 49)
This set includes coloring pages and six markers in a range of Disney themes. I’m constantly giving these as birthday presents to all my kids’ friends!

4. Peekaboo Baby Books (RMB 58)
This series of books features babies playing peekaboo in a variety of settings, including Playtime, Bedtime, Rainbow Colors, and more. These are very popular with moms.

5. Skip Hop Zootensils (RMB 69)
A super cute fork and spoon set from Skip Hop to match the entire range of Zoo stuff, including the company’s popular Zoo Packs.

6. Scrunch Ball (RMB 55)
Blow it up, play with it, scrunch it, and take it anywhere. It’s very easy to catch, too!

7. Boon Water Bugs (RMB 88)
This cool bath toy set includes bugs and a net to catch them with.

8. The Orb Factory Mosaics (RMB 38)
These are totally awesome if you need a spare hour to do something. Keeps kids over age 4 completely engrossed!

9. Mojo Animal Toys (RMB 27)
These lifelike animal figurines include baby polar bears, clown fish, baby lions, and more. They’re incredible detailed, made from hard PVC, and conform to safety standards.

10. Skoose Sequined Headbands (from RMB 20)
These come in loads of colors and are very sparkly. Little girls will love them!

Johanna Selth is the owner and founder of BabyGro Beijing, an essential resource for safe and parent-approved baby and kids’ products. A busy mom of two, she’s also a beijingkids board member.

Looking for more stocking stuffer suggestions? Nils van Doorn from baby international also offers 10 ideas under RMB 100. 

Looking for a great gift for the little ones at tiny prices? Here are a few ideas:

Baby’s First Book (RMB 48)
Prepare some space in your bookshelf! This storybook shows cute animals and numbers over ten pages. Your child will not only know animal names, but also start counting them at your next visit to the zoo.

Lego Police Motorcycle (RMB 59)
Buying for a boy? Well, no worries with this one. All parents know that it’s not just a stereotype: boys really do start dreaming of cars and motorcycles as soon as they are on the drive home from the hospital. And if it’s a police bike, that’s even cooler!

Cat Steps (RMB 78)
Get on the catwalk! Children can make cat steps on these fun toys that improve their balance while offering tons of fun at the same time.

Plastic Rattle (RMB 79)
This light and and easy-to-grasp rattle includes parts made of soft plastic that give teething relief. The frog also has a rotating transparent sphere with twinkling balls inside.

Stroller Toys (RMB 95)
The next time you hit the road, your child will take some new friends to the streets of Beijing. These cute toys will keep your child entertained, so don’t be surprised when they refuse to leave the stroller!

Teething Toy (RMB 66)
The first teeth are coming? Then go for this one (whatever you give them, they will put in their mouth). The Bite and Play enables babies to quickly forget their teething troubles.

Wooden Rattle (RMB 38)
Every parents hope their child will be the next great pianist. But let’s aim a bit more realistic for now. This rattle is all wood and also helps to develop first motor activity.

Toy Plane (RMB 58)
The openings in this chunky blue plane are perfect for pushing along or soaring high in the sky. The shape makes the toy easy to grab for small children.

Soft Keys (RMB 29)
Have you ever looked for the car keys, only to find that your kids have taken them to play with and have forgotten where they are now? Well, better give them their own set until they’re old enough to get a driver’s license.

Ice Cream Set (RMB 38)
Planning a Chinese New Year trip to the beaches of Malaysia? Then take this ice cream set with you. We all know that Mom and Dad prefer watching the blue sea and nipping cocktails, but your kids will be delighted to prepare a great selection of Italian gelato for you.

Nils van Doorn is the co-founder of baby international, a one-stop shopping haven for families living in China. With locations in Beijing, Shanghai, and Haikou, baby international features a recently redesigned website that makes online shopping simpler than ever.

Looking for more ideas? Check out 10 suggestions under RMB 100 from Johanna Selth (BabyGro).

If scented candles from Ikea aren’t cutting it for you, you might be interested in the Treasures of Hope candle line from Dongguan, Guangdong. Started a few months ago by expats, Treasures of Hopes specializes in high-quality, Western-style scented candles. The series takes its name from a charity store in Dongguan that helps kids, teens, and adults in need.

Currently, Treasures of Hope supports three charities that work with orphans, youth living in poverty, and adults affected by leprosy. Proceeds from candle sales will benefit these groups.

Currently, the line includes six scents:

• Pine Tree
• Pumpkin Spice
• Happy Birthday (a vanilla-based scent)
• Baby Fresh
• A Is for Apple
• Hidden Island (a tropical, mango-based scent)

Soon, Treasures of Hope will also introduce Red Spice (cinnamon and clove) and Treasure Chest (cedar and musk). One large 600g candle costs RMB 98 and lasts for approximately 110 hours.

Candles can be ordered through Treasure of Hope’s Taobao store or via email at info@treasures-of-hope.com.

Photo courtesy of Treasures of Hope

This weekend’s a jam-packed one for Beijing families! In addition to Thanksgiving celebrations, it marks the annual Parent Link Charity Bazaar at the Western Academy of Beijing (November 24) and Rotary Club of Beijing Holiday Bazaar at the Kempinski Hotel (November 24-25). beijingkids will be attending both fairs with a crafts corner for drawing on "magic paper" and coloring Christmas cards. The suggested RMB 5 donation will benefit local charities.

Today only from 10.30am to 3.30pm, WAB’s Parent Link Charity Bazaar will feature over 100 vendors, raffle prizes, a host of student performers, holiday treats and drinks, and childcare. Yes, childcare! For RMB 100, Grade 12 students will play with your kids for as long as you want while you shop.

This year, the event will support charities and NGOS such as the Children’s Hope Foundation, Yearn to Learn, Roots & Shoots, the Starfish Project, Children of Madaifu, Couleurs de Chine, Smile Angel Foundation, and more.

Both today and tomorrow from 11am to 5pm, the Rotary Club of Beijing Holiday Bazaar will offer Christmas carolling (courtesy of Beijing BISS International School), raffle draws, a kids’ corner, free hair styling and makeup, over 90 vendor booths, live performances, a Christmas tree lighting, and more.

In addition, Roundabout Chinais holding one of its book fairs from 10am to 3pm at Beijing Rego British School today. As always, find children’s books for as low as RMB 1, paperbacks from RMB 10, and hard covers from RMB 20. All proceeds will be used to buy coal for Chinese orphanages in need.

Can’t make it this weekend? Don’t despair, beijingkids will also be at the following bazaars:

• 
  Beijing City International School on Saturday, December 1
• British School of Beijing (Sanlitun) on Sunday, December 9
• Harrow Winter Fair on Monday, December 10

See you there!

Photo by babasteve via Flickr

Christmas trees are up there with Santa, Nativity scenes and snow as the most iconic, traditional aspects of Christmas but getting real trees in Beijing can be tough. Not this year. Local NGO Bethel China Foundation is providing Christmas trees from their farm. Who can turn down the scent of fresh pine especially when it’s for a charitable cause? Here’s how you can get hold of one.

The not-for-profit organization that provides foster care, education and professional training for Chinese orphans who are blind or visually impaired, is selling trees from their farm in Beijing’s southeast Fangshan District. You can either head down to the farm yourself (it’s about an hour and a half drive from the city center) or they will deliver the tree to your door.

Trees come in medium (four to six feet) and large (six feet+) and cost RMB 700 or RMB 1,000 for pick-up and RMB 850 or RMB 1,200 for delivery, respectively. If you want to hold on to your tree for next year, you can also arrange for post-Christmas pickup and replanting of your tree (medium RMB 200, large RMB 300).

Sales began on November 21 and the tentative dates for home delivery are Nov 24, Dec 1 and Dec 8, but those dates are still subject to change depending on amount and location of orders.

If you won’t be in Beijing over the holidays to enjoy a Christmas tree in your home you can sponsor a tree to be placed in the houses and school of Bethel’s children.

To pre-order your Christmas tree, email matthew@bethelchina.org or call 135 223 66 343 for more information.

Photo courtesy of Bethel

This blog post originally appeared on our sister site, the Beijinger. For more Christmas content, stay tuned for our December 2012 issue, due out on December 3.