'Tis the Season

Some time ago, I started looking around online for information about places to celebrate Christmas in Shanghai. It seems most hotels of a certain size offer some sort of holiday celebration, but their idea of what a Westerner wants from a Christmas dinner seem a bit off. All of the options were filled with lavishly tacky events and activities, and pathetic strings of adjectives. At least ten used the word ‘sumptuous’. Here are some of the particularly creative descriptions:

***A children's choir and violin music will entertain you while you dine in a casual atmosphere at our Coffee Shop. Every guest will be presented with a special gift. Buffet dinner is priced at RMB 198 net per person, half price for children under 12 years old. At our Banquet Hall, a Christmas Eve gala will take place. Traditional Christmas favourites, mystery entertainments and generous lucky draw prizes await you.
***With the breathtaking Shanghai skyline as a backdrop for an unforgettable holiday celebration rejoice in the holiday spirit with choir carols and Santa & Santarina delivering gifts to kids and greetings to all.
***Christmas is a season of peace, hope, harmony, joy, sharing and love ... Med_00, our Mediterranean restaurant will prepare a set of dinner for you and your beloved one on Christmas Eve. Of course, we didn't forget to prepare Christmas carols, lucky draws, gifts from Santa's magic bag and lots of fun, including live entertainment. A boogie Christmas Eve party with the hottest music is ready at Flanagan's (Lobby Level). All party tickets available in the hotel lobby from 9:00am-8:00pm, from December 9 onwards.
***Christmas is round the corner again! We have a sumptuous Christmas dinner and dazzling entertainment including games, a jazz show and lots of prizes. Our Thai-style massage, foot massage and facial treatment will help you find relief from fatigue and freshen up your body totally.
***Celebrate a crystal Christmas Eve at the Westin Shanghai. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner, free flow of bubbly and selected beverages. Door gifts, party favourites, a lucky draw and live entertainment are waiting for you.

And my personal favorite:

***This year at the Purple Mountain Hotel Shanghai a brand new Christmas is waiting for you. Carols among dim candle light, in which the Virgin Mary stands up and moves towards you, holding the holy infant ... Santa Claus rushes in on his sleigh with jingling bells, delivering his first gift to you. The carnival begins. Opera, magic, acrobatics, Latin dance and a fashion show flood over in a feast for your eyes, while your stomach is being crammed with delicacies from across the world ...