by Mei from Shanghai asks Santa about movies, learns about the Yangtze River, and hears about China’s apple-giving tradition on Christmas Eve
Dear Santa, my name is Mei and I am nine years old. I live in Shanghai, China, where my nainai says the buildings light up so brightly at night that the whole waterfront looks like it is wearing jewelry.
Dear Mei, I have admired that waterfront myself from the sleigh, and your nainai’s description is exactly right.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, what Christmas movies are on Netflix this year? My cousin wants recommendations but I honestly do not know which ones you would pick.
I try to stay neutral on movie recommendations, Mei, since I appear in rather a lot of them myself and it would be a bit awkward to play favorites. I can say any movie with a good sleigh scene has my quiet approval.
My second question is about our river. My teacher says the Yangtze is the longest river in all of Asia. Is that true?
It is, Mei. The Yangtze River stretches for thousands of kilometers across China, the longest river on the entire continent, and flying along part of its route each December is always an impressively long stretch of my journey.
My third question is about apples. My friend gave me a beautifully wrapped apple on Christmas Eve last year and said it was a tradition here. Why an apple, of all things?
That is a charming modern Chinese custom, Mei, connected to the fact that Christmas Eve, Ping’an Ye, sounds similar to the word for apple in Mandarin, so giving a nicely wrapped apple has become a popular way of wishing someone peace and safety for the season. Christmas itself is not a traditional Chinese holiday, but it has become a joyful, festive occasion enjoyed by many, especially young people, in cities like yours.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Li Mei
Shanghai, China
P.S. Did you know apple sounds like peace in Mandarin?
I did, Mei. I have handed out a suspicious number of apples ever since learning that.
