In this video I ask students in China what they want for Christmas, and it turns out that ordinary apples are the Christmastime Tickle-Me-Elmo of China. Watch this video and you’ll see what I mean. Students here love apples, and they want to wish you a Merry Chinese Christmas.
It was fun filming these students and their responses because Chinese college students are outrageously friendly. A small group of students congregated nearby and helped recruit interviewees once they saw that I was making a video. I was almost overwhelmed by how many students wanted to answer my question.
The Christmas spirit is gaining popularity in China, but western holidays and traditions have a little Chinese twist. Namely, there’s a Chinese tradition of giving away apples to friends and loved ones every Christmas Eve. That’s why so many students asked solely for an apple in the video.
People in China give apples to each other on Christmas Eve because Christmas Eve is called “Ping An Ye” in Chinese, which means ‘silent night.’ The word for apple is “Ping guo.” Because the words sound so similar, the exchange of apples has become a symbol of Chinese Christmas spirit. The giving and receiving of apples is an exchange intended to bring good health and protection to the lucky recipients.
Since today is Christmas Eve, a couple of my students stopped by my apartment to deliver apples wrapped in decorative paper. I’ve already torn open one of the apples and devoured it. The next apple must wait until Christmas morning for it’s demise.
Hope you enjoy the video. Merry Christmas!
December 25, 2013 at 5:05 am
What a wicked film! What level are these students? Have a peaceful Christmas and looking forward to many more outstanding videos. I’ll be hitting China next year for sure. Will be working Christmas, but I don’t really care. No one to share it with here.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
December 26, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Most of these students are college freshmen, but some are older. Merry Christmas Stevie!
January 16, 2014 at 1:23 am
I find it amazing that most of them are wanting to be with their family. Seems to be very different then here in the States. I may e-mail you Kevin. I would like to discuss with you about your experiences so far in China. I think I may do the same after graduation.
December 25, 2013 at 5:07 am
I loved this! So cute! =)
December 25, 2013 at 6:33 am
Wow beeg. This video brought me to tears. I liked when one guy said, i want my sister to be happy everyday! They’re all so humbling. Very nice job beeg
December 25, 2013 at 6:34 am
I want my son to be happy EVERY DAY!!
December 25, 2013 at 10:26 am
this is adorable …. they re so pure and innocent and they actually really tried to speak English and it’s the best part of the video
December 26, 2013 at 5:58 pm
you could do a funny video, by asking them funny questions.
December 30, 2013 at 2:32 pm
Yeah, I’ve been trying to think of funny interview-y ideas that might work, but abstract questions are virtually unanswerable by most Chinese students, at least at this school.
December 30, 2013 at 1:10 pm
Wow! Watching this video has made me want to do TEFL teaching so much more! I have been having reservations about moving to a new part of the world but this has renewed my faith in both myself and other people. Thankyou! Hope you had a Merry Christmas!
January 4, 2014 at 12:21 am
It seems that apples are quite popular!
January 8, 2014 at 2:54 pm
Yes, it’s a popular Christmas gift in China. I was given too many apples, I couldn’t eat them all!