by Xinyi, age 9 from Taipei, Taiwan, asks Santa about the name Karen, Taipei 101, and how Christmas is celebrated in Taiwan.
Dear Santa, my name is Xinyi, and I am nine years old. I live in Taipei, Taiwan, where my ama says a building here used to be the tallest one in the entire world.
Dear Xinyi, a record-breaking skyscraper makes for one of the easiest landmarks to spot on my entire route, your ama picked a truly impressive hometown.
Santa, I have three questions.
Is there a Christmas Karen? My friend at school has a grandmother named Karen and she asked if that made her a Christmas person too.
Karen is simply a real name plenty of wonderful people have, Xinyi, and any Karen who loves Christmas is absolutely welcome to call herself a Christmas person, name and all. Tell your friend her grandmother sounds delightful.
My ama says Taipei 101 was once the tallest building in the whole world. Is that true?
It is true, Xinyi, Taipei 101 held the title of the world’s tallest building for several years after it was completed. I always enjoy that sparkling tower lighting up beneath me on my way to your rooftop.
My ama says even though Taiwan is not mostly Christian, lots of people here still enjoy Christmas lights and decorations every December. Is that true?
It is true, Xinyi, Christmas is not a traditional religious holiday for most families in Taiwan, but the lights, trees, and cheerful spirit of the season have become widely enjoyed anyway, simply because joy is worth sharing no matter the reason behind it.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Xinyi Chen
Taipei, Taiwan
P.S. Will you wave at Taipei 101 on your way past?
Every single year, Xinyi, that tower has earned a proper hello by now.
