For a large percentage of the expats living in Tianjin, there’s one time of the year that means everything, Christmas! It is indeed our favourite holiday and it usually breaks our hearts not to feel the Christmas spirit we enjoy so much. There are no carols in the streets, there are no real decorations dressing houses and buildings, there are no busy passers-by happily looking for presents, and worst, not a lot of people will waste their time with joyous “Merry Christmas”!
To prevent us from having Christmas blues beforehand, the best hotels in Tianjin have done the unexpected for the city. They dressed for the occasion and hosted Christmas Tree-Lighting ceremonies. And let me tell you that while looking at those gorgeous trees you would sincerely believe you were back home and that the feeling is still there. BUSINESS TIANJIN MAGAZINE took part in the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies, which are held by the following four hotels in Tianjin, and enjoy it together with you all. So you know now, if you want a taste of Christmas follow our suggestions!
The Westin Tianjin
The Westin Tianjin knows how to be grandiose without being opulent. The event held on 1 December was happily attended by more than one hundred and fifty of their closest friends and guests who wanted to make sure the season’s festivities would start in beauty. Warm tea was there to welcome you from the cold outside, fragrant white and red wine were there to warm your mood, and the surrounding ambience was there to brighten your spirit. Tianjin International School’s Choir was there to enchant all the guests with their perfectly choreographed, angelic voices. Christmas carols with touches of groovy, modern tunes were a great way to start off the evening, by the end of their performance the atmosphere was already joyous! After a brief and touching speech by the Westin’s great team, the Tree-Lighting ceremony began, letting everyone feel embodied with a feeling of belonging, of recognition of a holiday that represents many world cultures; that moment felt like our own special thing with the lighting of each chanted ball. A tree that was as big in height as it was in the charisma it brought. The decorations were simply gorgeous; inviting and cheerful was how we felt. The golden and modern colours of The Westin fused in a perfect tune with the colours of Christmas. And what Christmas celebration would this be without Santa Claus? He gave us the joy of his presence and didn’t forget a single one the children around. And if you followed Santa, you’d see Ginger bread houses and panettone. The evening was then topped with a cheerful dinner shared by all the guests. And naturally our favourite season’s delicacies didn’t miss like the turkey or the chocolate log. Oh Christmas Tree, better yet oh Westin, thank you for bringing us our holiday!
Raffles Tianjin
The Raffles Tianjin marked its official entrance into the holidays season on 1 December with a simple yet touching program. Children’s Choir from the International School of Tianjin and Tianjin Children’s Welfare Institute became the primary attractions for the evening. As part of the program, children from both schools arrived at the hotel early in the afternoon, playing and eating together to share the loving holiday spirits. Together, they enjoyed specially designed hotel tour, games, activities, and delicious meals. Toys including children’s drums, make-up and miniature pianos were pre-purchased with money donated from management and staff of Raffles Tianjin and given to the children as a special New Year’s gift. In the lobby, a Wish Tree is also set up for guests who are kind enough to make a dream come true for a child by picking up a wish from it. Raffles Tianjin’s General Manager Mr. Gilbert Madhavan made the speech and thanked for all distinguished guests who gave great support to the hotel since its opening early this year. Mr. Madhavan led the lighting of the gigantic Christmas tree at the hotel Lobby and wished everyone Happy Christmas and good luck in 2011.
Just opened earlier this year, Raffles Tianjin has already become one of the most prestigious addresses in the city and has become the only new hotel picked by Travel + Leisure China as one of the 2010 “Most Recommended New Hotels”. The special arrangement with Tianjin Children’s Welfare Institute at the Lighting Ceremony is only a token of Raffles Tianjin in continuing the Raffles tradition of giving back to the community.
Don’t miss Christmas Eve Dinner at Raffles Ballroom on 24 December. Your Christmas experience at Raffles will be filled with an exceptional menu compiled by their executive Chef and complimented by free flow of soft drinks, beer and imported wines. The fantastic show they’ve put together includes cross talk, magic show, acrobatics, shadow dance, and interactive games. And if you are lucky, you can even walk home with dazzling prizes. Tickets will be on sale for 1588 RMB per person.
Hotel Nikko Tianjin
A delightful evening was offered by Hotel Nikko Tianjin on the 1st of the December at the Lounge Bar which included the lighting of the tree and a choir singing traditional Christmas songs. All attendees spent a wonderful night enjoying scrumptious finger foods, complimentary beer and drinks and nice songs played by the Philippine Band. Don’t miss Hotel Nikko’s Christmas Eve Gala Dinner from 18:30-22:30 on the 24th December at the Diamond Ballroom with live performance, buffet with unlimited Sparkling wine, beer, juices and soft drinks, attractive lucky draw prizes including two nights stay in the Harbour View Suite, a stay at Hotel Nikko Hong Kong with return air fair for two, and two nights stay in Hotel Nikko Shanghai with return air fair for two. Tickets will be on sale for 1,488 RMB per person.
Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin
On 2 December, a beautiful ceremony at the Radisson for the lighting of this year’s Christmas tree marked the beginning of the season’s festivities. The ceremony started with a warm welcome speech from the hotel’s general manager and an introduction to the night’s preparation.
For this Christmas, the Radisson Hotel has decided to take in with the merry spirit of the time of the year and dedicate this Christmas to a noble cause. Together with the SOS Children’s Village Organization, that helps needed children in China, all you have to do is, during the month of December, go to the stand of SOS Children’s Village at Radisson’s Hotel lobby and purchase for the value of 100 RMB a teddy bear or a Christmas décor to place at their tree. All the money will revert to help children in Tianjin and China. The tree lights were then lit by Mr. James Scott Walton, the General Manager of the Radisson with the help of kids from the charity project SOS Children.
Afterwards, a cocktail was served presenting canapés and delicacies such as roasted duck, and mini pies. Between wines and beers, hot chocolate and mulled wine, plenty was the offer served to keep all guests warm from the bitter winter of Tianjin.
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