Whether you’re leaving Beijing for good or just for a trip back home, you’ll want to bring a little piece of the city back with you for keepsakes. We’ve rounded up some of the coolest souvenirs that will give a little taste of Beijing.

Liuba Draws 

One of Beijing’s most beloved lifestyle designers, Liuba Draws is as close to a household name as you’ll get around here. Her merchandise is an iconic sight at craft fairs in Beijing, and she also has a WeiDian, so you can browse and purchase all her designs online. Her latest Best of Beijing 2024 calendar was just launched and compiles some of her most popular drawings of the city into a wall-size or desk-size calendar. There’s also her Liuba Draws Beijing book, which makes for a great coffee table read and decoration! For other knick-knacks, check out her colorful and practical tote bag, bold acrylic 煎饼 jiānbing pancake, 啤酒 píjiǔ beer, or simply 北京 bějīng Beijing earrings, fridge magnets and greeting cards. Check out her website here or scan the QR code to shop her WeChat store.

Beijing Postcards

You may know the company for their informative talks and hutong walks, but they also sell some hyper local souvenirs that are based on original research using archival materials, books, out-of-print periodicals, and oral histories. Their merchandise includes scarves with one-of-a-kind prints of topographical maps of the city, tea towels with Old Beijing shop signs, cushion covers, and postcards. If you want something more unusual, check out their limited-edition hardcover out-of-print books such as Sidelights on Peking Life by Robert Swallow. You can shop their WeChat store by scanning the QR code below.

China-Themed Puzzles

There are various vendors you can get these from, whether it’s online or from expat-friendly shops at the Pearl Shopping Center. TOI makes some very fun and irregularly shaped 2D puzzles like their Giant Panda puzzle that’s great for kids ages 6+. Alternatively, check out the cute 3D panda puzzle that’s very well-constructed and a great conversation starter. For older audiences, Hong Tai offers a 3D Building Series that features iconic Beijing landmarks like the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City.

Images: Courtesy of vendors, Vivienne Tseng-Rush

Every year when September rolls around, a conversation starts among the parents – What do we get our kids’ teachers for Teachers’ Day? As always, the usual suspects pop right up – flowers, cards, baked goods – and I launch into my case for a spa voucher because I strongly believe that all teachers will appreciate the me-time luxury.

So to put an end to all the mystery and endless debate, we decided to ask the teachers themselves what they really want for Teachers’ Day!

1. Gift cards & vouchers 

Whether it’s from Starbucks, Wagas, Peach, or Jenny Lou’s, gift cards are such a great generic gift that are always appreciated and classier than cash in hand. By far the most popular is Starbucks, considering that teachers probably form the largest base of coffee addicts since they need all the boost they can get to handle 20 (or more!) of our kids every day. But if you know your teacher is a new parent, grocery store gift cards could be a lifesaver for when they need to stock up on baby supplies! If you want to have fun with it, restaurant vouchers to the latest hot eateries might do the trick too.

2. Plants

Up your flower game with some beautiful, breathing plants that will spruce up a desk at either the classroom or home office of your kids’ teachers. A succulent is our choice, since they are easy, low-maintenance plants that don’t require a lot of sunlight or water. Case in point, my own succulent is still alive after three winters – and I barely touch it beyond watering it when I remember to every couple of weeks or so.

3. Drinks tumbler/bottle

Teachers love their pick-me-up, and they need something to carry it around in. YETI tumblers have gained popularity in recent years, such that copycats are popping up everywhere at places like Pearl Shopping Center. With a great variety of sizes and colors to choose from, you can definitely find one that’s perfect for your kid’s teacher. If those are too plain for you, check out the Beijing and China-themed souvenir mugs from Starbucks that get a new look every year or so. Those are great for these expat teachers who will someday leave and bring those mementos with them.

4. Sweet treats

Chocolates, cookies, muffins, and other delicious baked goods from any respectable bakery are also welcome at the teachers’ desk on Sep 10 every year. Do take care to ask about allergies, or go safe with a mix of flavors and options like vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free. Knowing how little time (and interest) teachers have to queue up for the delicious offerings of Butterful & Creamorous, this would be a good chance for you to order some for them to try!

5. Computer bag

This takes a little bit of planning ahead because you have to take note of details such as the size of the laptop your kid’s teacher is using to make sure you get the right fit. Practicality is the name of every teacher’s game, but of course, a sleek design is a bonus if you can find one for a reasonable price tag. It’s also fun if you can get it monogrammed with the teacher’s initials!

6. Alcohol 

This might be controversial, but if we’re being honest, teachers start their days with coffee and usually end with something stronger. (Sound familiar, parents?) This was brought up by a surprising number of teachers, who prefer to remain anonymous. If this is something you can relate to, then pick up a bottle of your favorite vino for Teachers’ Day if you know that your kid’s teacher enjoys a little tipple. We suggest heading down to your nearest CHEERS outlet, or check out the CHEERS Summer Fest this weekend for some unique recommendations!

Whatever you do choose to get, most of the teachers we spoke to said they greatly appreciate a handwritten note  or card with the gift. Such heartfelt gestures are, as a VISA ad once said, priceless.

What NOT to get

A delicate Chinese tea cup set might seem like the perfect gift, but many of the globe-trotting expat teachers don’t want to be burdened with breakables while moving. Also, most of the female teachers say they have received way too many scarves already.

For more tips on what to get your kids’ teachers for Teachers Day, check out our former education editor Julie Wolf’s insights here.

Images: Unsplash

This Sunday (May 8) is Mother’s Day. Usually, Mother’s Day is celebrated with a plethora of brunch options at every restaurant and hotel in town, but this year, it’s all about an intimate celebration at home or outdoors.

Let’s start with the cake. My two favorite places to order cakes is Pantry’s Best for cupcakes and Theatre Tea for cakes to share.

Pantry’s Best‘s red velvet and mint chocolate chips are just divine! And since they’ve got so many outlets in Beijing, their delivery is fast.

Theatre Tea on the other hand makes cakes for a more delicate palette. They’re infused with lovely tea flavors and it takes a more refined palette to tease out those subtle hints while munching on a light and fluffy cake.

Bring on the flowers! MyPengYou is a service that’ll help you do everything from clean your AC to move your apartment to, around holiday time, deliver flowers to your favorite people. One of the reasons I love them is that their service staff is completely fluent in English and from past experience, super patient with customers who ask lots and lots of questions. Scan the QR code below to place your order.

What to eat? I don’t even want to cook when it’s not Mother’s Day, so there’s no way I’m cooking a meal that I’ll also have to end up cleaning up after this Sunday. Yesterday we compiled a list of our favorite local businesses that have turned into delivery experts overnight.  Click here to check out all the options.

There should be a gift involved. Whether it’s big or small, expensive or cheap, store-bought or handcrafted, Mother’s Day should be celebrated with some sort of gift. Beijing has so many local businesses that made gorgeous crafts that make for the perfect Mother’s Day gifts. From hand-crafted candles to “designer-inspired” luxury bags and shoes, our editor Julie Wolf has curated a list of her top picks. Click here to see the full list.

But the most important thing is to celebrate the amazing moms in your life and take the time to just say “thank you”. To all my fellow super moms out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

Images: Pexels, Theatre Tea

What says “I was thinking about you” more than a unique, customized gift? I dare say everyone enjoys seeing their name or face on a present, whether it’s a piece of jewelry or a mug that they’ll use every day for their coffee fix. This festive season, add that personal touch to your gifts with these options.

Turning drawings into jewelry

Kids may say the darnedest things, and they certainly know how to draw them too! You probably have a stack of drawings from your kids piled somewhere, so why not take this chance to go through the lot and find your favorites, then turn them into a pendant that you can put on a necklace, bracelet, or even a pair of earrings? There are several shops that can do this for you on Taobao. And a few of them are also able to send the product within eight to ten days, so if you place your order now, it’ll arrive in time for Christmas! Search ertonghuihuadingzhi on Taobao to see a full list of options, or just scan the QR codes of these shops that we found for you.

Customized jigsaw puzzles

Get ready for some wintertime indoor fun with these customized jigsaw puzzles! Again, you can either get your kids’ drawings turned into a jigsaw puzzle, or your favorite family photo in a myriad of sizes to boot. Scan the QR code in the picture below for more details, or search pintudingzhi on Taobao for more options!

Customized mugs, placemats, and calendars

Practical gifts like these may seem boring, but let’s face it, we use them every day, so you might as well have one specially made with a meaningful photo or a quote. These also make ideal Secret Santa gifts if you don’t really know the recipient that well, but want to add a personal touch to their gift! As for the customizable calendar, it’s a great way to consolidate the best family adventures from previous years and take a little trip down memory lane as you flip through the pages in the new year.

Leaf carving

Tired of seeing your photos in print? Well, how about having it carved onto a real leaf instead! Yes, you can get your likeness etched into a leaf. This artist charges based on the number of people that need to be hand-worked onto the leaf canvas. Now that’s definitely a way to “leaf” your mark on this earth.

Do you have a favorite customized gift that we didn’t cover here? Let us know in the comments!

KEEP READING: Beijing’s Kid-friendly DIY Places to Craft Unique Presents

Images: Taobao, MyPengYou1

Roundabout Retail is every second-hand treasure hunter’s dream, making it an ideal place to find unique gifts that are good for your budget, the planet, and the community. Here are a few ideas.

Toy Section: It’s not just for the kids. Rummage through and see if you can’t find your significant other’s favorite childhood board game. It’s a nostalgic gift that will not only bring back memories but also make some new ones when they teach the kids how to play at the next family game night.

Retro Rewind: Help the fashionista in your life go retro. A cool set of jelly bracelets – I have it on authority that the ’90s are back – or a classic clutch purse that no one else has will become their go-to statement piece.

The Real World Market: For any of you who remember and loved a store called World Market, the back left side of Roundabout is your mecca. Filled with treasures that wouldn’t fit in the shipping container or suitcase when someone’s assignment ended, these abandoned art pieces are just waiting for a new home to grace.

Local Finds: Next to the register is a table filled with ornaments, pillow covers, organic toiletries, and a host of other amazing items by local artisans like Sew Gorgeous and Bulk House. The profits from this section are specifically earmarked for children in need.

I love giving unique gifts, those mementos that someone wouldn’t or couldn’t get for otherwise. They are a much more personal way of telling the people I care about that I put thought and time into selecting something instead of just loading up the Taobao cart.

Recently, I discovered a treasure trove of unique and personal gifts, and to make the giving that much sweeter it all goes to a good cause. Allow me to introduce you to Snowland Art.

In 2010 a Canadian expat named Kristel Ouwehand – aka Tenzin Dolma – established the Tibetan Artists’ Development Company. It is a five-year art and handcraft training school devoted to maintaining the integrity of the art of Thangka, in which students come to live and study the Buddhist art form. According to the website, “The school only takes a small number of students, with a focus on quality rather than quantity… Kristel and her students go through all the exam papers, and each student gives his/her view as to which two or three applicants they would choose to accept.”

It’s a completely democratic process.  What’s more, because so many applicants come from humble backgrounds the tuition for the entire five-year program is only RMB 500. All other operating costs are supplemented through donations and the sale of student work via Snowland Art Studios.

The students make incredible work from portraits to hand-painted ornaments featuring family pets and original decorative pillows to jewelry with intricate Tibetan designs. No tracing is permitted, guaranteeing that each piece is one-of-a-kind and special.

You can see more of the incredible work these students produce on Snowland’s website, or you can join the WeChat group by scanning the QR code below.

KEEP READING: A Different Take on Advent Calendars and Our Favorite Ones To Use

Images: Courtesy of Snowland Art

Hello everyone and welcome to the start of the holiday season. Last year around this time we posted an article about combating “the gimmies” and it feels just as relevant now as it did then. So in the spirit of remembering the real reason for the holidays we are reposting.

Several years ago, one of my longtime parents, who I will call Susan, came back from winter break with her toddler. I asked how her holiday was and she replied, “It was the worst Christmas ever!” and then proceeded to tell me her story.

Susan’s kids had been vibrating with excitement for weeks. Nights spent writing wish lists, hours online to see the “real Santa,” and entire days lost in stores trying to find the toys they “had to have” all built up a sense of anticipation not just for the kids but the whole family. Simply put, they were excited to give their kids the best Christmas ever!

The big day finally came and a 20-minute free-for-all of flying boxes and squealing delight ensued. When the last of the tissue paper had settled, her eldest looked over the piles of new shiny toys and asked, “Is that it?”

Susan told me, “I have never felt like more of a failure as a parent! This ends now!” To her credit, the next year she had a battle plan to combat what she called “the gimmes.” I think it’s brilliant and hope it helps make your holidays richer and more meaningful.

Gifting not getting

Susan encouraged the kids to put more thought into making gifts for other members of the family — whether that was a family portrait in crayon from the 3-year-old or the now 8-year-old’s handmade friendship bracelets. Each child used their talents to make other people happy.

Every person has something they can do that is special. Something that they are, or should be, proud of. This is true of our kids too. By helping them identify their skills, and using them to make others feel good, you are telling your child that they matter, that their actions, words, and decisions have value. Let them get creative with their talents and watch what it will do for their self-esteem.

Gratitude every day

Every night at dinner, from Thanksgiving through the New Year, she asked each member of the family to share one thing that they were grateful for. She said it helped give them all perspective during a season in which they were bombarded with messages that they needed more “things” to be happy.

Gratitude is a step we so often skip with our kids because it feels complicated (entire self-help anthologies have been written on the subject) but it’s really acknowledging the little things that make us happy. Kids are naturally good at that. Gratitude reminds us we have enough and we are safe. We can give some of it away so others feel safe too. And that is important for the next step in Susan’s holiday rehab…

Make a difference

Susan asked each child to purchase a gift for a child they had never met, who otherwise would not have a holiday present. She neither picked nor paid for the gifts. Instead, the kids did chores around the house to earn the money for the gifts and chose a present to drop in the Toys for Tots donation box.

Make gift opening an event

Let’s be honest, you’re never going to convince your kids that presents don’t matter at all, and frankly, it’s really fun to give them the things they want! Susan and her husband decided to keep the tradition but make a few minor changes. Wish lists had to be three items or less.

And rather than everyone ripping into a million presents at the same time, the family took turns watching each other open gifts. This made each package special and since the kids had taken the time to contribute this year, they got a lot of joy watching their siblings and parents open the present they had made. This kind of practical mindfulness can enhance any experience!

Make thank you cards

It all came full circle back to gratitude. Before anyone got to play with a new toy, they had to make a heartfelt thank you card for the person who sent it. Susan laid out construction paper, crayons, and stickers to help the kids express their gratitude in a creative way.

Getting a gift is fun no matter your age and receiving a sincere thank you card always puts a smile on someone’s face. By taking the time to start and end the process with a thank you, we can add so much more meaning to everyone’s experience.

Keep the holiday spirit alive

This particular story revolves around the holiday season, but gratitude and service can be a year-round part of your family’s life. If your family loves the dinner time gratitude share, keep it! Did your child like volunteering at the animal shelter? See if they want to make it a monthly commitment. You might find that these little things add another layer of joy to your already joyful life and set really positive habits for your child.

It’s not about the money

There will be points in every person’s life when they can’t make a monetary donation, but that doesn’t mean they have nothing to offer their community. Help them identify other ways they can give back. Children are passionate, so start with the things they care deeply about.

• Do you have a little environmentalist? Help them organize a park clean up.

• Is your child concerned about world hunger or animal rights? Maybe a local soup kitchen or animal shelter could use some help on weekends.

• Do they love pets? Perhaps you can foster a puppy in need of adoption.

This goes back to teaching them that their actions matter. And people who believe they matter make different choices. They build healthier, stronger, and more just communities.

Susan and her family took back the holidays by making them about others. Our kids have so much to be grateful for and spreading the love only helps make their life richer and fuller! So, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, or just the literal transition from shorter colder days to longer warmer ones, Happy Holidays. May your hearts be warm and may we all move towards the light together!

KEEP READING: Beijing Gratitude List

Images: Canva

Several years ago, one of my longtime parents, who I will call Susan, came back from winter break with her toddler. I asked how her holiday was. She replied, “It was the worst Christmas ever!” and proceeded to tell me their story.

Her kids had been vibrating with excitement for weeks. Nights spent writing wish lists, hours online to see “the real Santa” and whole days lost in stores trying to find the toys they “had to have” had built up a sense of anticipation not just for the kids but the whole family. They were excited to give their kids the best Christmas ever!

The big day finally came and a 20-minute free for all of flying boxes and squealing delight ensued. When the last of the tissue paper had settled, her eldest looked over the piles of new shiny toys and asked, “Is that it?”

Susan told me, “I have never felt like more of a failure as a parent! This ends now!” To her credit, the next year she had a battle plan to combat what she called “the gimmes”. I think it’s brilliant and hope it helps make your holidays richer and more meaningful.

Gifting Not Getting

Susan encouraged the kids to put more thought into making gifts for other members of the family — whether that was a family portrait in crayon from the 3-year-old or the now 8-year old’s handmade friendship bracelets. Each child used their talents to make other people happy.

Every person has something they can do that is special. Something that they are, or should be, proud of. This is true of our kids too. By helping them identify their skills, and using them to make others feel good, you are telling your child that they matter, that their actions, words, and decisions have value. Let them get creative with their talents and watch what it will do for their self-esteem.

Gratitude Every Day

Each night at dinner from Thanksgiving through the New Year, she asked each member of the family to share one thing that they were grateful for. She said it helped give them all perspective during a season where they were bombarded with messages that they needed more “things” to be happy.

Gratitude is a step we so often skip with our kids because it feels complicated (entire self-help anthologies have been written on the subject!) but it’s really acknowledging the little things that make us happy. Kids are naturally good at that. Gratitude reminds us we have enough, we are safe. We can give some of it away so others feel safe too. And that is important for the next step in Susan’s holiday rehab…

Make a Difference

Susan asked each child to purchase a gift for a child they had never met, who otherwise would not have a holiday present. She neither picked nor paid for the gifts. Instead, the kids did chores around the house to earn the money for the gifts and chose a present to drop in the Toys for Tots donation box.

Make Gift Opening an Event

Let’s be honest, you’re never going to convince your kids that presents don’t matter at all, and frankly, it’s really fun to give them the things they want! Susan and her husband decided to keep the tradition but make a few minor changes. Wish lists had to be three items or less.

And rather than everyone ripping into a million presents at the same time, the family took turns watching each other open gifts. This made each package special and since the kids had taken the time to contribute this year, they got a lot of joy watching their siblings and parents open the present they had made. This kind of practical mindfulness can enhance any experience!

Make Thank You Cards

It all came full circle back to gratitude. Before anyone got to play with a new toy, they had to make a heartfelt thank you card for the person who sent it. Susan laid out construction paper, crayons, and stickers to help the kids express their gratitude in a creative way!

Getting a gift is fun no matter your age and receiving a sincere thank you card always puts a smile on someone’s face! By taking the time to start and end the process with a thank you, you add so much more meaning to everyone’s experience.

Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive

This particular story revolves around the holiday season, but gratitude and service can be a year-round part of your family’s life. If your family loves the dinner time gratitude share, keep it! Did your child like volunteering at the animal shelter? See if they want to make it a monthly commitment. You might find that these little things add another layer of joy to your already joyful life and set really positive habits for your child.

It’s Not About the Money

There will be points in every person’s life when they can’t make a monetary donation, but that doesn’t mean they have nothing to offer their community. Help them identify other ways they can give back. Children are passionate, so start with the things they care deeply about.

• Do you have a little environmentalist? Help them organize a park clean up.

• Is your child very concerned with world hunger or animal rights? Maybe a local soup kitchen or animal shelter could use some help on weekends.

• Do they love pets? Perhaps you can foster a puppy in need of adoption.

This goes back to teaching them that their actions matter. And people who believe they matter make different choices. They build healthier, stronger, and more just communities.

Susan and her family took back the holidays by making them about others! Our kids have so much to be grateful for and spreading the love only helps make their life richer and fuller! So, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, or just the literal transition from shorter colder days to longer warmer ones, Happy Holidays. May your hearts be warm and may we all move towards the light together!

Julie Wolf is the Director of First Five Early Education Centers in New York and Director of International Education for Newhattan Early Education Centers in China. She has been working with children and parents for over 18 years as a teacher, arts integration specialist, curriculum designer, and staff development expert.

KEEP READING: Habits For Humanity: Books to Nourish Gratitude in Children

Photos: Canva

This article appeared in the beijingkids 2020 December issue

Whenever the Christmas season rolls around, I face the same problems: Who should I shop for? When should I start shopping? Where do I find the right spots to shop? How much do I spend, and how many gifts should I buy? This year, I came up with a couple of rules and ideas to save some money and make my gifts memorable when I shop for my friends and family. 

Hand-Craft Something for Friends and Family

 As a teen, it’s hard for me to buy what my friends or family want with the limited amount of money that I have, so crafting or making something always comes to my mind when Christmas time rolls around. As a birthday gift from earlier this year, my friends made a video showing all of their favorite moments of us caught on camera and a compilation of many of my close friends wishing me a happy birthday. That gift was by far the best birthday gift that I have ever received, and I was touched by the amount of thought and effort that went into making that gift. The thrill that comes with unwrapping a gift on Christmas morning is irreplaceable. Still, I think that knowing that a gift, or a video, or anything of the sort that was customized or personalized for them can touch someone’s heart.

 Personalize Gifts

It’s always a priority for me to find something to gift or buy that has some sort of meaning behind it, whether it’s an inside joke or just something that the person I’m giving it to likes or wants. I can’t spend that much money on gift shopping, so to make up for that, I try to put meaning behind everything I buy to give myself a valid reason to spend my money on getting it. This makes shopping a strenuous task, but as long as I have a good idea of what I want to buy for one person, I can find it on Taobao nine times out of ten.

 Buy Ahead of Time, or Plan a Time to Go to the Mall!

As a yearly tradition, my best friend and I will go to the mall before Christmas and help each other brainstorm and get gifts. We will list out all the people we plan to get gifts for and what we’re getting for them during this time, ensuring that the presents we gift don’t clash. To be realistic, we only get one or two people gifts at most at the mall. But the real value in going together is to get ideas for what to get people on our list and go home and shop online. It’s always super fun to do with her each year, and I find that it’s a tradition that gets me in the Christmas mood.

Try New Ways of Gifting During Christmas Instead of the Traditional Gift-Giving 

Because my best friend and I shop together each year, we always agree not to buy each other gifts. It’s hard to keep what we shop for from each other and because we are both people who don’t value physical gifts highly. Instead, we agree to do something that we both want to do. This year, we are going to get our ears pierced together for Christmas! This tradition gives us something to spice up the regular Christmas feeling and just gives me something to look forward to Christmastime even more.

Plan How Much I’m Going to Spend on Each Person

Quite honestly, I don’t successfully budget how much I spend on each person. But for me, I think spending anywhere between RMB 30-100 is reasonable for a friend’s gift. For close friends or family, I usually spend anywhere from RMB 30-200 on a gift. When I’m buying for my family or my group of friends, I consider buying a gift for all of us, like a set of matching socks that we can wear together, or some sort of present that we can all use while spending time together.

Gift shopping is always a challenging task. But I think the key to buying the right gift is still the thought you put into it, whether it’s purchased, hand-crafted, or just something you do together. I’m looking forward to Christmas this year, but in the meantime, I’m going to need to do some last-minute shopping. Hopefully, I’ve learned my lesson and do my shopping earlier next year!

KEEP READING: Brush up on Chinese Gift Giving Faux Pas