In China, nothing says Merry Christmas like ... an apple?

[Geee]

La Times:

BEIJING – Christmas may not be an official day off in China – banks, offices and schools are open as normal. But with the holiday becoming a bigger and bigger event here, millions were finding ways -- some a bit offbeat, others downright traditional -- to share in the seasonal spirit.

 

It’s nigh impossible to go into a Beijing mall this time of year without hearing “Jingle Bells” or “Deck the Halls” playing; at the U-Town shopping center, even clerks at the Chinese sausage stand donned Santa hats. Management at the Chaoyang Joy City arranged for live penguins to go on display in a refrigerated box for four days and a number of Santas could be found lending their laps to local children.

 

This year, some venues were opting for Chinese Kris Kringles rather than shelling out for foreign Father Christmases as in past years. Some news outlets described this as a cost-cutting move, with business owners fearing the government’s recent austerity campaign against officials’ extravagant gift-giving and banqueting would reduce Christmas spending and therefore their profits.