SmartShanghai.com | Christmas Trees

Christmas Trees

By Lenny Utama, Dec 2nd, 2008 | In Shopping

The sad state of the economy notwithstanding, we hope your plans for a Christmas tree don't involve chopping down a pine in People's Park. In the interests of saving you from sort of Griswald-eque tomfoolery (What? You haven't seen Christmas Vacation?) here are some places around town to pick up a Christmas tree:

If you can't make up your mind on whether to go fake, local or imported this year, the ever so reliable Secret Garden at Xintiandi (although they've got several locations spread throughout our fair city) has a wide selection of all to choose from. Chinese firs starts at 220rmb while the plastic fantastic kind is 140rmb. Unless you're going for a minimalist Christmas this year, decorations will cost an extra 400rmb approximately. Yikes.

There's also the ueber-fancy Nordmann Firs Danish trees (in limited supply) which will set you back to about 2000rmb and requires advanced booking. It is, however, a great way to show up your neighbors when they come over for an eggnog. For more information, go to www.secret-garden.cn

If you're going bigger is better, the florist right across the Jiao Tong University gate (650 Panyu Lu) allows you to part with a mere 800rmb for a gargantuan 2.4-meter tree. There are plenty of smaller ones, of course. Unfortunately they don't speak English, so if your Chinese is as good as ours, have someone else do the talking when you visit/call : 021-62812585.

Fakery looks to be the new black this year. IKEA, however, disappoints with some scrawny, fake ones: 129rmb for 120 cm and 299rmb for 180cm. These are alright, though, if you want a simple little tree for your apartment and don't want to spend too much. For those living near a Carrefour or Wall-Mart, support your friendly neighborhood fledgling corporate giants and get your real ones for about 400rmb. We assume, at these places you'd be able to throw in some ornaments while you're at it, although they are not yet on sale as we speak.

Meanwhile, the truly bargain hungry must bravely trot the grounds of tourist infested Yuyuan -- they have trees as well as a dizzying array of Christmas related paraphernalia to make your house look like it's just been decorated by Mrs Claus on Ritalin. Also, the flower markets around the city are an option if again you don't mind the haggle (e.g: CaoJiaDu, HongQiao).

For those who fancy a bit of a Bavarian twist to their Christmas this year, Paulaner at Fenyang lu is hosting a Christkindlmarkt (German style Christmas market to the rest of us) from December 5 to 7. Expect everything Christmas-related from trees to tinsels.

Lastly, if you're dusting off last year's tree, treat yourself to some shiny, pretty ornaments at HOLA (B2 Brilliance West Shopping Mall) or Metro City at Xujiahui.

Look at Chevy down there. Why don't they let him act anymore?