Christmas cakes ideas save this word, you’ll need to log in. We’re spending Christmas with my parents.

We had a very happy Christmas this year. I wish you all a merry Christmas. It shows up earlier and earlier every year. Subscribe to America’s largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Get Word of the Day daily email!

Solve today’s spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Can you make 12 words with 7 letters? Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. Spelling isn’t all black and white. Learn a new word every day. Many get into the holiday spirit during Christmas time in China. Today, all the trappings of a Western Christmas can be found in a Chinese Christmas.

Lauren Mack is a journalist who covers Chinese culture and history. She studied Mandarin Chinese in Beijing and Taipei and has written for Newsweek International, Elle Girl, and the Chicago Tribune. Starting in late November, many department stores are decorated with Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and festive decorations. Malls, banks, and restaurants often have Christmas displays, Christmas trees, and lights. Large shopping malls help usher in Christmas in China with tree lighting ceremonies. Store clerks often wear Santa hats and green and red accessories. For spectacular holiday light displays and fake snow, head to the Western theme parks in Hong Kong, such as Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park.

At home, families opt to have a small Christmas tree. Also, a few homes have Christmas lights strung outside their houses or light candles in the windows. It’s not uncommon to see a Santa Claus at malls and hotels across Asia. Children often have their picture taken with Santa, and some department stores can coordinate a visit from a gift-bearing Santa to people’s homes. Instead of elves, he is often accompanied by his sisters, young women dressed as elves or in red and white skirts.