We know some of you are still searching for the very special gifts to bring home, although Christmas is less than two weeks away. Don’t panic, look thought the list we put together, and you may need to look no further. Feel free to offer more ideas by leaving a comment.

Suanpan (Chinese abacus) 算盘
Although rarely used nowadays, suanpan were the primary tool for calculating and doing math exercise for students and business owners before the electronic calculator was popularized in China. Can be bought at Panjiayuan Antique Market.

The People’s Liberation Army Shoe 解放鞋
The 1950s trend has made a comeback as a fashion must-have for young hipsters and expats. Can be found in someof the small shops at Nanluoguxiang and Taobao.

Paper Cuts 剪纸
What’s better than a red paper cut (not the painful kind) on the window to spruce up the decorations during festivals? Can be bought at Silk Market, Yashow Market and Taobao.

Training Chopsticks 训练筷子
No more frustrations with chopsticks. They really work for kids and beginners! Can be bought on Taobao.

Lei Feng Hat 雷锋帽
Stylish, cute and super warm, the Lei Feng hat is named after national hero and model citizen Lei Feng. Can be found in some of the small shops at Nanluoguxiang and on Taobao.

Porcelain/China 瓷器
The art of ceramics is so entwined with Chinese culture that porcelain is also called “china” in English. You can find the five markets to get porcelain here.

Red Dragon Silk Tie 丝绸领带
A little tacky? Perhaps. But how can you argue with the color red, a dragon and silk? Can be bought via Amazon.com.

Mahjong Set 麻将
Once you learn the rules of this classic Chinese game, you’ll understand why locals spend day in, day out playing it. Can be bought on Taobao and Tianyi Market.

Cooling Oil 清凉油
This handy minty oil soothes mosquito bites, headaches and wakens the mind better than any Red Bull. Can be bought at any of the Tongrentang pharmacies and Taobao.

The Scholar’s "Four Treasures" 文房四宝
Get your friends or family into Chinese calligraphy by offering them wenfang sibao, the scholar’s four treasures (writing brush, ink stick, ink slab and paper). Can be bought at the Panjiayuan Antique Market and Silk Market.

Photos from hto2008, Silk Road Collection, bforat, and SpAvAAi (Flickr)

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).

It’s crunch time, folks. As of today, you have just under two weeks to choose, find and execute a smashing Halloween ensemble. Before you start freaking out, turn to our trusty lists from years past (2009 and 2010) of venues to stock up on wigs, masks, fishnet stockings – you name it.

From the popular Alien Street Market (a little like Silk Market, only with more multicolored wigs and plastic swords) to the lesser-known Beta Costume Rentals (costumes ranging from Grim Reaper to Hello Kitty are available-for-rent online), your costume-shopping haunts in this city are boundless. And that’s not even taking into account the option that grants you the most creative license of all: tailoring.

I’ve seen the results of superhero leotards, medieval dresses and wizard capes personally, and they all looked impeccable. Just print out a photo from any website (if you’re feeling uninspired, take a cue from the experts at BuyCostumes.com or HalloweenExpress.com) and bring it to any tailor – refer to our list and May cover feature to find one near you.

Now that you’re familiar with your options, here are some costume ideas.

You can go “classic” (or clichéd):

Track down face paint (and fake blood) at Yashow Market’s third and fourth floors or Wukesong Costume Market. The leather jacket and black beater, on the other hand, can be located at your local Zara, Uniqlo, Wudaokou Clothing Market or Zoo Clothing Market. The fangs are another story – if you can’t find them at Yashow or Wukesong, opt for Taobao.com. (This pair of "獠牙" starts at RMB 5, plus RMB 10 for shipping.)

Type in "witch costume" on Taobao.com and this is what you get. Of course, per our earlier suggestion, you can always come up with a more original version and get it custom-made.

You can go "trendy":

It’s the number one paid iPhone application in over 60 countries, and a movie is already on the way. (Even China’s obsessed – see our earlier post here.) Sure, the HalloweenExpress.com version above (despite costing a whopping RMB 320) may be sold out, but it’s still available in King Pig form. Place your order through ShopWeShip.com (formerly known as Dong-Xi.com), which will ship items from Western websites to Chinese mailing addresses for a small fee.

You can also pay homage to the late Steve Jobs, founder of Apple and devout wearer of the black-mock-turtleneck-and-jeans combo. You can get a pair of fake rimless specs at Silk Market or Mingjingyuan Glasses City. Hopefully you don’t need me to tell you where to get a pair of jeans or a black shirt like that. (If you’re really at a loss, I’d recommend the men’s sections at H&M and Gap.)

You can go "Beijing":

This costume can only make sense in so many contexts. While you’re living here, why not take advantage? We found a similar version at Dongjiao Market mere months ago.

We’ve spotted Peking Opera costumes for rent both at Huan Run and Beta Costume Rentals. Both places stock elaborate themed get-ups and accessories – ideal if you’re in a last minute bind and need to find something outrageous. You can visit their websites get a sneak peek at their collections.

Our tips? Keep focused, be resourceful and bargain hard (if necessary). Good luck. If you have any more wacky ideas for costumes, feel free to share them below.

Alien Street Market. Yabao Lu (south of Fulllink Plaza), Chaoyang District. 老番街市场, 朝阳区雅宝路  

Beta Costume Rentals. (6844 4222) www.beeta.cn  

Dongjiao Market. Daily 8am-5pm. Xidawang Lu (south of Soho New Town), Chaoyang District. (6774 7864) 朝阳区西大望路（Soho现代城南边）  

Gap. Unit 136A-140, Beijing APM, 138 Wangfujing Dajie, Dongcheng District. 东城区王府井大街138号北京新东安广场136A-140 

H&M. Daily 10am-10pm. Xidan Joy City, 131 Xidan Beidajie, Xicheng District. (6706 0508) 西城区西单北大街131号西单大悦城   

Huan Run. Daily 9am-6pm. 19/F, Bldg 5, Wanda Plaza, Chaoyang District. (5979 8013) www.fuzhuangzulin.com  寰润, 万达广场5号楼17层 

Mingjingyuan Glasses City. Mon-Sun 9am-6pm. 43 Huawei Beili, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区华威北里43号明镜苑眼镜城  

Silk Market.  Daily 9am-9pm. 8 Xiushui Dongjie, Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (5169 8800) 朝阳区建国门外大街秀水东街8号  

Uniqlo. Bldg 10, South District, Sanlitun Village, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. (6413 1320) 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯Village南区10号楼  

Wudaokou Clothing Market. Daily 9am-7.30pm. Northeast corner of Xueyuan Lu and Beisihuan Lu, Haidian District. (6239 6347) 海淀区学院路和北四环路十字路口的东北角  

Wukesong Costume Market. Daily 9am-6pm, 9am-5pm (in winter). 40 Wukesong Lu, Haidian District. 北京摄影器村成, 海淀区五棵松路40号

Yashow Market. Daily 9.30am-9pm. 58 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6415 1726) 雅秀市场, 朝阳区工体北路58号  

Zara. Daily 10am-10pm. The Place, 9A Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (6587 1341/49) 朝阳区光华路甲9号世贸天阶

Zoo Clothing Market. Daily 5-am-4.30pm. Across the street from the Beijing Zoo (south side of the street), Xicheng District. 西城区北京动物园周边

Photos: Flickr user wafer, BestFantasyStories.com, BuyCostumes.com, Wikipedia.org, flickrhivemind.net

This article is from thebeijinger.com.

With all the stinky foods available in China, it was only a matter of time before the citizens of the Middle Kingdom fell in love with what is arguably the best invention before sliced bread. Whether you like it hard, soft, fresh or fragrant, Beijing’s cheesy options are sure to make you smile.

Le Fromager de Pekin Homegrown fromager Liu Yang uses organic Wondermilk to make a variety of artisanal chesses, such as Petit Gris (RMB 25), Faisselle (RMB 35), Gris aux herbes de Provence (RMB 55), and pyramid (RMB 45). Delivery is available twice a week, or you can purchase cheese at the Embassy House Market or Boucherie Francaise. Daily 9am-12pm, 2pm-6pm. 5A-6 Xindi Market South Gate, Huilongguan Peng Jie, Changping District (135 2001 6860, lefromagerdepekin@gmail.com) 昌平区回龙观龙腾街鑫地市场南门5A-6号
www.lefromagerdepekin.com

Cheese and Wine Made In Heaven This little spot by Chaoyang Park West Gate has a simple way of working. You sit down. You order a bottle of wine, and owner Chris is happy to recommend something cheesy to go with it. You can order cheese from the chilled cheese room, either by weight or one of the fixed-price platters. The cheese is mostly French, though there are bits and pieces from the UK, Switzerland and elsewhere. Sun-Wed 12pm-midnight, Thu-Sat 12pm-130am. 1-15 Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu (next to Jenny Lou’s), Chaoyang District (6501 2901) 朝阳区朝阳公园西路1-15号

Boucherie Michel 米歇尔肉店 This artisanal French butchery serves up quality cuts of beef, veal, lamb and pork, as well as sausages, imported cheeses, quiche and freshly roasted chickens. Daily 9am-8pm. 1/F, Jiezuo Dasha, Xingfucun Zhonglu, Chaoyang District (6417 0489) 朝阳区幸福村中路杰座大厦底层

Chez Gérard Tucked away on Jiangchang hutong by the Confucius Temple, this tiny deli opened by Christophe (of Cafe de la Poste) sells a range of cheese and Western staples like dried pasta, cereals, and a good meat selection and offers fresh daily baguettes (usually arriving at mid-day). Daily 10am-10pm. 40 Jianchang Hutong (east of the Yonghe Villas, just south of the Yongkang Hutong intersection), Dongcheng District (6415 0118) 东城区箭厂胡同40号

Delicatessen 熟食店 This shop offers a variety of homemade cakes, freshly made sandwiches, and a wide selection of cheeses, sausages, gourmet coffee and wines. Items can be consumed on the spot, or taken to go. Daily 7am-9pm. 1/F, Lido Place, 6 Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District (6437 6688) 朝阳区将台路6号北京丽都假日饭店1层

Epicerie 小巴黎 This Sanlituan bakery has a wide selection of freshly baked breads and croissants, as well as a good selection of meat and cheeses. It is located next door to Petit Paris. Daily 930am-11pm. 29 Sanlitun Lu (opposite the French School), Chaoyang District (6416 9381) 朝阳区三里屯路29号(北酒吧街)

Sanyuanli Market 三源里市场 If you’re tired of overpriced groceries at other supermarkets, then you need to head on over to Sanyuanli Market. This market sees a steady stream of chefs, restaurateurs and expats who flock here to find many hard to find, imported items. Daily 5am-7pm. Shunyuan Jie (opposite Jingkelong Supermarket, west of Sanyuan Dongqiao), Chaoyang District 朝阳区顺源街(三元东桥往西京客隆超市对面)

Schindler’s German Food Center In addition to sausages and other tantalizing raw and cooked meats, Schindler’s stocks a wide selection of imported cheeses, including emmental, gruyère, cheddar and several goudas. This is the perfect place to stock up for a barbecue or holiday feast. Daily 10am-7pm. 105 Binduyuan Mansion, 15 Zaoying Beili, Maizidian, (800m east of Nongzhanguan Beilu), Chaoyang District (6591 9370) 德国食品中心, 朝阳区麦子店枣营北里15号

Compiled by Marla Fong
 

Article from Agenda, issue 71, Jan13-Jan 27. To read more from the most recent issue of Agenda, download the PDF here. To find a copy, contact our distribution department at distribution@agendabeijing.com with an idea of where you work, live or play and we’ll tell you where you can find one near you.