Trees, sparkling lights, special food treats and gifts galore bring the feeling of a European Christmas to Shanghai at the popular German Christmas Market. Photo: Courtesy of Cyrielle Chavanis

Although Christmas is a Christian feast day, it is observed as one of the most popular public holidays throughout the world, and in many non-Christian countries. Even in countries where people don't get the day off, locals have adopted many of the holiday's secular traditions, like the lights, the special music and the gift giving.

Trees, sparkling lights, special food treats and gifts galore bring the feeling of a European Christmas to Shanghai at the popular German Christmas Market. Photo: Courtesy of Cyrielle Chavanis

Although the holiday has a broad appeal, Christmas traditions are far from uniform. They vary greatly from place to place. In some countries, children hang up stockings to be stuffed with gifts. In others, they put out their shoes. The festivities can go on over the traditional 12 days of Christmas or they can end on December 25. No country has a monopoly on how to celebrate Christmas.

Trees, sparkling lights, special food treats and gifts galore bring the feeling of a European Christmas to Shanghai at the popular German Christmas Market. Photo: Courtesy of Cyrielle Chavanis

Perhaps, then, one of the under-appreciated advantages of spending the holiday abroad is experiencing how people from other countries celebrate it. The Christmas market, which originated in parts of Germany and French-speaking Europe, is one tradition that has made its way around the world. German Christmas markets are especially popular, and can be found all over Europe and as far away as Japan - and Shanghai.

With several Christmas markets opening in Shanghai over the past weekend, the Global Times headed over to the German Christmas Market at the Xuhui Binjiang Greenland this week to find out what makes them so appealing.

Camille, student, France

I'm selling for a French headband brand - we produce everything in Shanghai. I was a model for the winter collection. It's only my second day at this event. I'm freezing. Maybe I'll start to hate Christmas - I'm going to be here every night. For Christmas we're having a big international dinner. We'll all cook individual dishes and then bring them to my place. It will be my first Christmas in Shanghai.

Bonnie Wisnewski, housewife, the US

I wanted to see what kinds of foods they might have, which could also point us to some good restaurants to try out later. That's always good.

You can also find some really different things that you might not otherwise be aware of. I wanted to see what kind of crafts they had for Christmas presents and stuff.

This is our third time around in Shanghai. We were here in the early 1980s for two years. And then we were here starting in 1996 for 12 years, and then we came back again.

I've just been back for a couple of weeks, so I wanted to check this market out because we had gone to one a long, long time ago. And it was a nice day, so we decided to go out.

I've always gone home for Christmas when I've lived here. The only time we ever stayed was in the early 1980s. And at that time, we went to the only restaurant that was available.

The people were just so sweet trying to accommodate us. And even the hotel we were in - they made us a cake with writing on it.

Graham, teacher, Ireland

I live in Yangzhou. I'm down visiting friends. It's not Christmassy at all in Yangzhou. I don't really have any plans for the market. I bought a present to send home for my parents, a nutcracker. It was 50 yuan ($8.13) for one of the big ones. I don't think you can haggle here.

Lana Jakovich, housewife, the US

We wanted to see the German Christmas market. It's a beautiful sunshiny day, and we wanted to get some last-minute gifts. The setting sounded interesting this year because it was on this green space. I thought the pictures and everything looked fantastic, and I just wanted to come and experience a little winter wonderland.

Once I got here, I saw a lovely Israeli food booth and I saw the Ruijin Cajun booth - he's from New Orleans. I think the event is wonderful. More people need to come out.

Victoria, teacher, the UK

I don't think you can have a normal Christmas here. You can attempt it, but it's never going to be the same as at home. You can try, and be miserable, or accept the fact and then make the most of it.

Kieran, teacher, Ireland

We were hung over and had nothing else to do so we came here. But I'm feeling fine.

The mulled wine and curried wurst helped cure it. Now I'm having chips with curry ketchup.

It's December, and it's Christmassy, and some of us are going home soon. I'm buying my parents stuff, my brother stuff. I got my dad a chess set, my mum a bag, my brother some T-shirts.

Samuel, entrepreneur, Germany

This is my first time in Shanghai. I'll be here for the whole month at the market. The lace items can make great gifts. There are ornaments, decorations and gift sets. The lace comes from my hometown. I customize the lace and color it. Lace was part of my childhood, because where I'm from, everyone is involved with it in some way.

Michele, student

I'm helping out in my friend's shop. I've had a look around at the other shops. The event is nice, but tonight there aren't many people. I think it's better at the weekend. And it's cold. Very cold! I was here last Christmas. It was different. I just spent time with friends. And I had an exam on Christmas Day.

Corinne Hallander, student, the US

I love German Christmas markets, so I wanted to see this one.

Mulled wine was definitely on my list. It was the first thing we did. And it was pretty good. And the second thing, which I haven't found yet, is a fruitcake that has marzipan in the center. It's so good! A German friend gave it to me one year, and ever since I've been obsessed with it.

The fruitcake tastes great with coffee. I love it. Maybe it was that particular kind of fruitcake that she got me that was just so good. It's a German thing. So I thought I might find it at the German Christmas market.

And the third reason I came here is that I love Christmas so I wanted the Christmas atmosphere.

I lived in London for three years, so I went to many markets there. In London, they were particularly fun and had a great atmosphere. That's what I loved about them. I also went to a market in Birmingham, England. It's known for being particularly German. And I went to a German Christmas market in France, in Cannes, and also in Monaco. I just realized that I have a lot of Christmas market experience. They're really fun.

I feel like this would be better if it was in an area that was easier to access. It should be in the center of the city.

They should close down a road for a week or something, and then set up the whole market on that one road. They would get so much more foot traffic.

Danielle, teacher, the UK

I'm here to get Christmassy. I haven't really got Christmassy yet, it's still early. I'm going home this year, but stayed in Shanghai last year. We made a really good go of it. There were 20 of us here and we went for lunch and had a secret Santa.

Global Times