Christmas traditions and customs in three East Asian countries are discussed here. These are - China, Hong Kong (now a part of China) and Japan. Here are the highlights:

* In China, Christian children trees with colorful paper ornaments in shapes of flowers, chains and lanterns. They hang muslin stockings for the Christmas Old Man to keep gifts and treats for them. There, Christmas trees are called 'Trees of Light' and Santa Claus is known as 'Dun Che Lao Ren', which means 'Christmas Old Man.' Non-Christian Chinese celebrate holiday season as the Spring Festival. There pay respect to their honors and festivities and feasts ensue. Children receive new clothes and toys, eat delicious food and enjoy firework displays and crackers.

* Hundreds of church services are conducted in Chinese for Christians of Hong Kong. For Europeans, there are services in English. Christmas cards are exchanged and talented people love to give handmade Christmas cards to their loved ones. The main theme of these cards is the Holy Family in a Chinese setting. Christmas decorations feature poinsettias and Nativity scenes and Chinese alphabets can be seen on streamers and paper chains. Santa Claus is known as Lan Khoong or Dun Che Lao Ren here.

* Christians constitute only 1% of Japanese population. Yet, most Japanese people decorate their homes and shops with evergreens during Christmas and exchange gifts. A priest called Hoteiosha acts like Santa Claus in Japan and distributes gifts and presents to all children, going door to door. It is said that he has eyes on the back of his head, so children try to be nice when he is nearby. Japanese Christian do not consider Christmas as a family holiday and do not have turkey or plum pudding. Rather, they spend the day doing social work and charity such as helping the sick and the poor. In Sunday schools, programs and events are organized for children on Christmas Eve or Christmas night that last for hours. They may include singing, recitations and Nativity plays.

source: http://www.worldofchristmas.net