It’s time to deck the halls and make merry for the Christmas season. And even though Shanghai isn’t the first place that springs to mind when thinking of a traditional DIY Christmas, the city has all of the ingredients – both edible and otherwise – to make your holiday season a happy one.

Here is a list of how to put together your Christmas dinner in Shanghai as well as three dine-out restaurant picks.

Christmas foods:

1. City Shop

City Shop

As with most imported holidays, which have become increasingly popular in China, supermarkets specializing in foreign products have led the way as the place to go for Christmas treats.

High-end supermarket City Shop has a full range for Christmas, with frozen Norbest turkeys for RMB 78 per kilo and American-style roasted turkeys, with California wine country stuffing and giblet gravy for RMB 880.

Add: B1/F, Times Square, 99 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Pu’an Lu
Phone: 021 6215 0418
Opening hours: 8:00 – 22:00

2. Yasmine’s

The popular butchery is staffed by a master butcher from New Zealand and has established itself as a firm favorite on the eastern side of the river for quality meats. Now they have opened a Puxi branch as well.

Yasmine’s is selling six-kilo turkeys for RMB 450 and a number of ham varieties for between RMB 150 and 250 per kilo.

Add: 178 Biyun Lu, near Heisong Lu
Opening hours: 10:00 – 19:00

3. Avocado Lady

Avocado Lady

The best budget option for turkey buyers in Shanghai is the tiny grocery on Wulumuqi Zhong Lu. The shop owner is widely known as the Avocado Lady among Shanghai’s expatriates, as she sells good import foods at incredibly low prices. Her shop is also a great place to pick up your roasting vegetables and trimmings for Christmas dinner at reasonable prices.

Avocado Lady2

Add: 274 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, near Wuyuan Lu
Phone: 021 6437 7262
Opening hours: 6:00 – 21:00

Sweet treats:

1. Qbake

For many people, particularly those of German extraction, Christmas time would simply not be complete without a traditional Stollen. This sweet cake with raisins, powdered sugar, nuts and spices is available in Shanghai from German bakery, Qbake for RMB 48 per large loaf.

Add: 251 Xizang Nan Lu, near Taoyuan Lu
Phone: 021 3366 3770
Opening hours: 7:00 – 22:00

2. Fields

For a more authentically American Christmas dessert, Fields online supermarket is selling traditional pumpkin pies, with an all-butter crust filled with fresh pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. All pies are 20 centimeters in diameter and serve six to eight people.

The perfect tree:

1. IKEA

IKEA

The Swedish home-furnishing megastore is home to a range plastic Christmas trees, with even the largest models priced under RMB 500. They also stock decorations, wrapping paper and lights.

IKEA2

Add: 126 Caoxi Lu, near Zhongshan Xi Lu
Opening hours: 10:00 – 22:00

2. Rosa Gallica

Rosa Gallica

In the heart of the former French Concession, florist Rosa Gallica has lovely, tall (170-centimeter) Christmas trees – the real McCoy. A relative bargain considering some florists charge upwards of RMB 1,000, and this place also has a delivery service so getting your pride and joy home is as easy as can be.

Rosa Gallica2

Add: Ferguson Lane, 376 Wukang Lu, near Tai’an Lu
Phone: 021 2821 2241
Opening hours: 10:00 – 20:00

3. Chu Fang Gardens

The Chu Fang Gardens store is the veteran of Christmas tree sales in Shanghai, having been in business for more than a decade. They are also the best place to pick up a bargain with a 170-centimeter tree priced at RMB 180, including free delivery.

Add: 398-2 Shaanxi Nan Lu, near Fuxing Zhong Lu
Phone: 021 5158 1399
Opening hours: 9:00 – 21:00

Christmas decorations:

1. Holiday House

The fancy dress and party specialist is also a great place to buy all the bits and pieces that will make your home feel like Christmas. They have a range of fake trees, decorations, Santa costumes and Christmas homewares at local prices.

Add: 1188 Fanyu Lu, near Kaixuan Lu
Phone: 021 6447 7189
Opening hours: 9:30 – 18:00
Contact: theholidayhouse@hotmail.com

2. Madame Mao’s Dowry

Madame Mao's Dowry2

For a truly special Christmas tree decoration, head to Madame Mao’s Dowry and pick up one of their special ceramic Christmas tree ornaments made by artisans from Shandong province. The ceramic baubles come hand-painted with propaganda art and slogans. They also make great Christmas presents for your nearest and dearest.

Madame Mao's Dowry

Add: 207 Fumin Lu, near Julu Lu
Phone: 021 5403 3551
Opening hours: 10:00 – 19:00

Out and about Christmas dinners:

1. Cocktail kitchen

Cocktail kitchen

On Christmas Day, Alchemist will be serving a five-course menu featuring seasonal salad, honeyed chestnut soup, foie gras with caramelized apples and either flourless chocolate cake, spiked vanilla creme anglaise or brie de meaux. The main course features a choice of roast Wagyu beef, celeriac potato purée or seared hamachi.

Cocktail kitchen2

Add: Sinan Mansions, Block 32, 45 Sinan Lu
Phone: 01 6426 0660
Opening hours: 18:00 – 23:30

2. Choice for kids

Kids will enjoy sweet treats from the “Magical Gingerbread House” while grown-ups can dine for aroud RMB 380 (plus 15 percent service) per person at Essence all-day dining in the Shanghai Hilton Hongqiao. Includes Champagne.

Add: Tower 2, 1116 Hongsong Dong Lu
Phone: 021 3323 6666
Opening hours: 6:30 – 23:00

3. Family fun

Napa Wine Bar and Kitchen celebrates Christmas Day with a family-style lunch of dishes such as roasted beet salad, cured salmon, deep-fried turkey with chestnut stuffing, banana flambé and more.

Add: Napa Wine Bar and Kitchen, 57 Jiangyin Lu
Phone: 021 6318 0057
Opening hours: noon – 15:00

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